Goodbye 2008...

I hope everyone has a fun night celebrating. We're keeping it low-key with three other neighbor couples and hanging out next door. I'm taking honey-pear sparklers to drink. Very easy: pear nectar mixed with honey in bottom of champagne flutes and topped off with champagne. Tasty. We're snacking and playing games and will be dressed comfortably. Ok, I'd rather dress up, but after the last couple of hectic weeks it will be nice to be close to home. What are you doing?

Football and more football

Are you tired of football yet? We were extremely happy about the San Diego Chargers' win last night. Phillip Rivers, their quarterback, was our star QB at NC State. As I type we are watching NC State play Rutgers in the PapaJohns.com bowl (at least we qualified for a bowl albeit an unheard of one). The score is 10-6 in favor of the Wolfpack, but it's still early.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. We did. However, my mother-in-law had to go to the hospital last Tuesday. She had developed a blood clot so she was unable to be here for Christmas morning. We went to see her though and then headed to Charlotte (just kids and me) late Christmas morning to see my parents and brother. My mother-in-law is coming to our house sometime today. She is so weak and not eating again so I am nervous about handling all of this. We'll get through this and, hopefully, she'll be able to enjoy some time with her grandsons. We don't know how much longer it will be. The doctors are estimating 6 months, but we think that is best case scenario. This is all very sad. It's a huge, scary responsibilty for us and it's tough when young kids are around. Keep us all in your prayers.

*Update: The Wolfpack lost a tight game. 29-23. Oh well. Just a house full of sad faces right now.

Ok, time for a little honesty....

I hope this post finds you all sane, happy, and relaxed. But, if it does I'm no longer your friend because I feel a little insane. But I will be honest here and admit a few things to my blog friends.

1-

This man exists a little in all of us, me included. At Wal-mart yesterday, when the lady ahead of me had check issues (Wal-mart's machine, not her funds), Scrooge was trying to come out of me. After all I had just endured a less-than-ideal shopping experience with about 3000 other shoppers, 2 being the minis! However, I realized these unpleasant feelings and smiled instead realizing we would be out of there soon.
I have to be a good example for the minis even though I really wanted to leave them and my cart in the checkout line and flee to a secluded island.

2-

I'm 38 and I watch "The Hills". So what! I love it. Last night's finale was just what the doctor ordered on Dec. 22. I will also admit that I know when enough is enough. I had to tape the aftershow because, even I, Miss Reality Show Addition, couldn't stomach a straight hour and a half of these privileged girls saying "actually" every other word and staring blankly into space after a comment is made.

3- I made sausage balls on Sunday because I wanted them. Granted I used reduced fat sausage, reduced fat bisquik, and even reduced fat (2%) cheese. However, I don't think it really mattered because I went through most of them by myself in record time!

Ok, I'll stop with 3 because I still have so many things to do before MIL gets here today. So friends let's hear it. Go ahead. Use my blog to confess. You'll feel better and I won't judge a bit. My gift to you this Christmas!

Candy Cane Me me

WSU Laura has tagged me for a Candy Cane meme. The instructions are to copy, paste, answer, add a question, then tag the 3 bloggers with the most recent updates on your blog feed/roll.

1. What is/are your favorite Christmas Movie(s)?

Love Actually, A Christmas Carol, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone movies
2. Favorite Christmas Song?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas- Diana Krall version

3. Favorite Holiday Memory?

When I was 5 months pregnant with mini#2 we let the grandmothers open up sealed envelopes (from mini#2) after Christmas dinner to reveal his sex. It was a surprise to all that day.

4. What is your favorite cookie/treat to make?

Sugar cookies with frosting, sprinkles, etc.

5. Have you ever made an igloo?

No, never. Rarely have enough snow for a snowball, let alone an igloo.

6. Do you love Starbucks?

Yes, in the fall and around the holidays. Tried egg nog latte the other day. So good. Love White Chocolate peppermint mocha, too.

7. What makes the perfect snowmen?

Snow! And we want some this year!

8. Not sure what happened to #8 so we'll move on...

9. Best gift you have ever received?

My baby Crissy doll in the 70's. Her hair would grow.

10. What is the snowman's name on Rudolph?

WSU Laura said it's Sam, so I'll stick with that!

11. Silver or Gold?

I like both, but gold more for Christmas.

12. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

This ceramic Christmas tree I found one year that reminds me of the one my grandmother made and had at her house that I'd see every year. It has all those colored bulbs you put in the holes. Love it.

13. What's your Christmas decorating style?

It varies. I feel like it's more sophisticated in the dining room and kid friendly in the den.

14. Do you hang stockings?

Yes, but I can't put them or the hangers on the mantle until Christmas Eve because 2 rambunctious little boys would surely knock them and all the greenery off of the mantle.

15. How many days do you celebrate Christmas?

Usually the weekend before (also Mr. Pink's b-day) and Christmas day with parties and functions sprinkled throughout December.

16. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child?

A brass angel holding a bell with my name engraved on it.

17. Where will you be spending this Christmas?

Christmas Eve and morning at our house and then off to my parents Christmas afternoon for a few days.

18. When do you open presents?

One on Christmas eve and the rest on Christmas morning.

19. Real tree or artificial?

1 fake in dining room and the real one in the family room.

20. Is there any chance you'll have a white Christmas?

I guess there's a chance, but highly unlikely.

Okay, I'm tagging...

Belle in Bloom

The Preppy Engineer

Nautical by Nature

Wordless Wednesday

What not to wear...

A North Carolina Christmas

Do you like the decorations? Is the tree too big? NO, this is not my house, but it is the glorious Governor's mansion of North Carolina in downtown Raleigh. Mini#1 and I met my friend and her son downtown this morning after dropping mini#2 off at preschool. My mom called yesterday and had heard about the free holiday tours going on through Sunday and thought this would be a fun thing for me to do with mini#1 since we are on day 5 of track out. It was fun. Crowded (field trips), but nice to visit. I especially enjoyed hearing the extremely southern retired volunteer ladies speaking in each room. You could have sworn the mansion staff plucked them straight out of their Charleston veranda chairs and left the ice clinking in their sweet tea glasses. Here are a few more photos including a couple of homes I saw walking back to the car. Beautiful. I'd love to take the historic tour one day...without kids of course!


Mini#1 in the foyer.


Outside the mansion.


You can't really see the beautiful wreaths on this home's porch hanging on wreath stands. Click on it for a better view.


This home reminds me of the White House.

So I hope you enjoyed a taste of the south today. Enjoy your weekend. We are going on a sleigh ride tonight in our neighborhood. So much fun and then coffee and hot chocolate afterwards.

So what have you been up to?

Since I last posted here's an update of life at my house...

1- I dug into 15,000 boxes of Christmas decorations and worked my house into holiday festiveness that is now worthy to sell tickets to all for the chance to partake of its splendor. Not really, but it's decorated.

2- MIL had to be taken back to Duke (still there, some cancer showing in blood samples and has infection around her liver. Not very good outlook unfortunately) last Friday so I took 2 boys to a live nativity, Walk Through Bethlehem, by myself at #2's preschool while Mr. Pink was at the hospital. It was freezing, but the kids loved it. We actually walked along as they told the Christmas story. Real sheep and everything. Mini#2 enjoyed the knights (King Herod's guards) best. Oh well. We saw baby Jesus at the end and, even though he was plastic, he's the reason for the season.

3- I have survived the first 4 days with both kids home without having a breakdown because of the increased volume around here. Surely girls are quieter?

4- I went to the play group mom's only Christmas party Sunday night. Great time. Great fun (Crazy gift exchange thing). And functioned normally Monday morning. Always a plus!

5- I finally found junior sized jeans for this family my friends and I are adopting for Christmas. I chose to buy for the 14 yr old and she wears an 11/12. You go in a junior dept and your choice is either an 11 or 13. You go in a women's dept and it's 10 or 12. No 11/12! Why I worried so much about this I do not know, but she's getting a junior 13. I hope this is ok.

6- I made sugar cookies with the kids. I am insane. Something that would take me half the time to do alone, but I did it for the experience. I gritted my teeth and tried to keep smiling while batter flew everywhere.

7- I climbed Mount Everest and wished you all had been there to share the awesome experience. It beats skydiving any day. I know because I also did that yesterday.

So, as you can see, not a lot going on here. I am still a bit tired from the hike though. I need to rest. So what have you been up to?

Five on Friday

Things I'm liking these days....
1-
Love Diana Krall's voice and this CD!

2-
Ghirardelli Peppermint bark squares. These were at play group yesterday and book club last night. I cannot resist them.

3-
I love egg nog. Just give me the reduced fat version in a carton though. No need to make the real deal for me. I'm easy to please.

4-
Love, love, love this movie. May watch it tonight.

5-
Had one this morning. White chocolate peppermint mocha. Can you tell I like peppermint lately?

Have a great weekend!

Easy Recipe

Busy, busy this week. Book club is tonight (thankfully, I'm not hosting) and I just finished the book thirty minutes ago! School is out TOMORROW for mini#1 for 4 weeks. Year round school is still proving to be a big adjustment for us all. Today I thought I'd pass along an easy punch recipe. This time of year it's great for a drop-in party, a kid's play group or for relatives coming into town at Christmas. Best of all, it's super easy and super tasty! Enjoy!

PEPPERMINT PUNCH

Ingredients:
1 quart peppermint ice cream
1 cup cold milk
2 liters ginger ale; chilled

Instructions:
In a large punch bowl combine the ice cream and milk. Hint: Add the ice cream about 10 mins before the milk so it can soften.
Just before serving add the ginger ale. Stir until there is a frothy consistency.

What Christmas Movie Are You?

Trying to decorate the house today. Not a lot of time to blog. Try this. I love "A Christmas Carol". The George C. Scott version is my favorite, but I bought the kids the muppet version last year.

Your Christmas is Most Like: The Muppet Christmas Carol

You tend to reflect on Christmas past, present, and future... And you also do a little singing.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Yes, I'm crazy.

It's 9:20 a.m. and I've been back from Target since 8:00 a.m. And let me say, I was a little surprised not to bump into any of my friends! However, the parking lot was FULL at 7:00 a.m. CRAZINESS! I got the last scooter/skateboard thingy for mini#1 though and that's why I went. I love and hate this day. I'm not too patient, but I love a bargain. And, surprisingly, I was one of the few wearing makeup this early, but that's not strange. I don't go ANYWHERE without my makeup. Some women appeared to be wearing their pj clothes! You go girls!

As I type I'm waiting for my brother and mother to get their slow arses in gear so we can head out again.* I have to chauffeur them around so mom can shop for brother. Like I really need to go to REI in search of snowboard boots! Oh well, at least I'll be relaxed because I've already accomplished my main goal for the day. Happy shopping! Do YOU participate in this Black Friday madness?

*Ok, so my mom got a new hip 5 1/2 weeks ago. She's excused for being a wee bit slow this morning. And, yes, we will be using her handicapped parking pass today while we shop!

Just thankful

In all the rush to get it all done this week I'll quickly post a few pictures of what I'm most thankful for...my minis. Last weekend we went to the Raleigh Christmas Parade and stood in 32-35 degree breezy weather as Christmas floats dazzled the minis. Mr. Pink and I were standing behind the minis as they sat in their coveted curbside seats to see the action. Mr. Pink and I could see the floats way down the road so we spotted the Geiko Gecko on one and were thrilled. Mini#2 loves the Geiko Gecko! So we watched mini#2 and waited for him to finally spot this green lizard. The moment he did he yelled back at us and said "DAD! THE GEIKO GECKO!" We noticed that any time mini#2 saw something he liked he would inform Mr. Pink. Any time mini#1saw something he liked he would inform me! So strange. Anyway we were cold, but loved every minute of it. Being curbside the minis got lots of attention and goodies from the parade participants. Afterwards we went to our favorite hot dog place for lunch and then home to watch our beloved WOLFPACK destroy our rival, the UNC Tarheels, 41-10 on their field! Awesome day!

Princess Leia stopped by to shake the minis' hands!


My pint-sized pilgrim.

Monday, Mr. Pink and I went to the mini#2's preschool Thanksgiving feast. At the beginning the kids all lined up in their festive hats they had made in class and sang a couple songs. It was so precious. Mini#2 was one of the few to keep his hat on after the "show". He even wore it to the grocery store afterwards. He plans to wear it tomorrow as well and he promises to sing his Turkey song for our guests. We'll see. By the way, mini#2's sweater sleeves are not too short in above pic. I guess the teachers folded the sleeves up to work on one of their many crafts or to wash hands. Nonetheless, I wanted to clarify that for all of you!

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! Travel safely and eat lots! Gobble! Gobble!

Question

Am I surprised about?
a) finding 2 pieces of mini#2's hot dog from TUESDAY's dinner in my half bath's sink tonight?
b) mini#2 waking up this morning with wild, sticky, greasy yet fragrant hair? (It was determined that he tried to wash his hair with liquid hand soap at some point in the night.)
c) mini#2 smearing Hershey's chocolate lip balm all over his face to look like Barack Obama. I kid you not. He said this when questioned!
d) none of the above. Nothing mini#2 does surprises me anymore.

And this, my friends, is what drives me to drink. Belle, it's officially cocktail hour at the Pink house tonight. Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday

Starting to feel it.

You know. The ever present stress that inevitably creeps its ugly head into your holidays. In the shower this morning I was already making my mental grocery list for Thanksgiving. My parents, my brother and my mother-in-law will be joining us for Turkey Day. However, one arrives Tuesday, one arrives Wednesday and two arrive Thursday. I can handle entertaining, but in waves like that it gets a little tricky. Who sleeps where, what do we eat each meal, do we go out to eat on Wed? Then sprinkled into the fun we have a preschool "feast" on Monday (making those yummy chocolate chip cookies), a US president project due on Tuesday and classroom volunteering on Tuesday. You know the normal chaotic life of a mom.

And, while I mentioned it, I may or may not have had to send mini#1's teacher an email last night requesting that project's information sheet again. And I may or may not be calling the cable company today to pay my bill via phone because I couldn't find that bill last night either! Jeez. When did I become so disorganized? Hey, but give me credit. At least I know the cable bill is due tomorrow thanks to my trusty bill spreadsheet I keep. I just can't find the darn thing. Yes, and one day I will resume bill-paying online. Just haven't done it yet! I think I need two more hands, a few extra hours in each day and a little more quiet in this house. Then maybe I'd return to my calm, cool, collected pre-mommy self on a regular basis! Tell me I'm not alone ladies.

How we added drama to a simple family outing.

This year we only planned to go to one NC STATE football game as a family. We only have two season tickets so Mr. Pink takes a mini or me, but not all four of us. So yesterday was the day we had all planned to go together because we got our free junior wolfpack club tickets for the kids for this game. The weather was mild, but the clouds were looming and rain sprinkled off and on pre-kickoff. Just prior to kickoff I took mini#2 to our regular (read: 45 yd line primo seats we buy from our friend with more seniority every year)seats while Mr. pink and mini#1 scaled mountain elevations to reach their free seats. We had settled in and even saw the canons blasting off fireworks to draw attention to the Wolfpack team barreling out of the locker room onto the field. All was good.

First quarter was underway and we were happily munching popcorn when the PACK scored the first touchdown. Mini#2 couldn't see so he stood on the seats beside me as we cheered the touchdown. And then, before I realized it, we had another down. Mini#2 was down. Off of the seat and resting not-so-comfortably against the cement back of the seats behind us (no one was in those seats). He started crying. I grabbed him up and then I saw red, not of NC State fanwear variety. Blood was gushing from the back of mini#2's head! The lady behind that row said "Do you know where first aid is?" Uh, no. I didn't. Never really knew my fine university had that service at football games. While others watched us, she lead the way up the stairs while I applied a wad of napkins to the back of his head. He, by the way, was no longer crying, but I was fighting tears back. We arrived and 3 or 4 nurses/hospital administration people took action. Ice packs for him, a sink for me to wash off my child's blood. Our friend called Mr. Pink and minutes later the rest of our family arrived while I was answering questions like "When was his last tetanus shot?" What? Then the paramedics arrived to transport him for stitches. WAIT! We can take him. Then another nurse looked at his head and, once the blood stopped, it was determined that no stitches or staples were needed. He just had a goose egg on his head and sticky, bloody hair around the gash. Once we were calm again, or had normal heart rates (me, not mini#2), we all returned to our seats with various ice bags and ice packs. We weren't going to let something like a LOT of blood send us home. Uh, hmm Mr. Pink. No, it really was ok. Mini#2 kept saying, "Mommy, it's ok. It doesn't huuurrt." One of our seatmates and friend had sent a text to Mr. Pink when it happened saying "You better get down here. Child protective services is looking for Mrs. Pink". Not so funny! Nonetheless, we survived and even sat in the rain for the last half to watch NCSU win a much needed conference game. Mini#2 was happy. We got home and cleaned the bloody head and it looks alright, but they told us it would bleed again and it has. This kid is 3 1/2 and it's his second bloody episode. He had stitches on his face Oct. 30, 2007 at 2 1/2. Both times, Mr. Pink was away. Maybe I should be concerned about child protective services! Or maybe I should just keep mini#2 inside for the next 15 or so years!

Friday Gift Suggestion

One of the best gifts Santa brought to our house last year was this book for mini#1.
If you have not heard of these they are called My Adventure Books and are available here . What makes these books so unique is that you order them to be personalized with your child's name. You also supply your child's address, birthdate and friends' names to be scattered throughout the book. Mini#1 was AMAZED when he saw this book. He loved it and still does. I plan to order one for mini#2 this year. They are only $16.99. You can also order different books like Disney Princesses or Cars, etc. if you don't want the Christmas book. However, the Christmas book does a nice job explaining Christmas customs in other countries as Santa takes your child in his sleigh to help deliver presents. Check it out. Makes a great Santa gift!

Happy Friday! Have a nice weekend. All of us will be attending the NC State vs Wake Forest football game on Saturday afternoon. GO PACK!

Thursday Tune

Here's a cheerful tune I enjoy and came across again today. Please help me though. Was this ever in a movie? Which one?

I'm back from a fun play group this morning where we sipped cappuccino, shared wrinkle cream regimens, and let the kids run wild. Actually the kids were great. Mini#2 played with their mini basketball set most of the time. Therefore, he is quietly resting right now. Of course he is also tired after being up several times last night. He went to get his brother and then the two of them came into our bedroom twice last night to discuss mini#2's fear of the dark. Poor mini#1. I'm sure he's a wee bit tired in 2nd grade today. Poor Mr. Pink. His side of the bed is closest to the door so he was the one discussing darkness fear, not me.

Try it.

I'm back from Charlotte. It was a fun weekend. My mom is recovering nicely. I didn't have to help out as much as I anticipated. It turned out to be more of a visit. She wanted some cookies so I baked my famous chocolate chip cookies. Ok, so it's Nestle's famous recipe, but I made them. The secret- use MILK chocolate chips and salted butter. Other than the cookies we went out to dinner Friday, light shopping Saturday and to church on Sunday. The boys went to visit my mother-in-law. Please keep her in your prayers/thoughts. This round of chemo is really taking its toll on her. Hopefully, she'll finish this preventative chemo at the end of December.

Now here's one of those bloggy fun quizzes. I have an interesting name. So interesting it's difficult to pronounce! Try your name.

Your Noble British Name Is:

Lady Egidia Georgiana Portal

What's Your Noble British Name?

Happy Friday! In a few hours I'm leaving to go to Charlotte to visit my parents for the weekend. My mom had hip replacement surgery a couple weeks ago so I'm going to help her around the house and give my dad a little time off. I hope everyone has a great weekend! It's going to be unusually warm here in NC. I love this time of year.

Wordless Wednesday

Ok, it's my wordless Wednesday so I make the rules. This requires words. This, I'm sure a very nice person (female I believe), was once somebody's baby. That the heck went wrong? This totally scares me!

Breaking News...

The wedding is off for this Bachelorette couple. DeAnna dumped Jesse...at the Colorado airport when he was retrieving her bags! How tacky! Supposedly she loves him but isn't in love with him. Despite how lovey dovey they appeared, I was never truly buying this connection. Were you?

Don't forget to VOTE today. And, in honor of Election Day, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Ben & Jerry's are giving away free coffee, star doughnuts and a scoop of ice cream. Take advantage of the freebies! I think I'll go get that pumpkin spice latte after I drop off mini#1 at school.

52 days...

That's how long we have until Christmas moms! Seven and a half short weeks to shop. Usually I am ahead of the game here and have already purchased a lot of gifts. Not this year. And it's starting to give me chest pains. I feel a big anxiety attack coming on in the near future. Yes, 52 days sounds like plenty of time, but mini#1 tracks out of school for five weeks beginning December 5! That's around the corner so I definitely want to have the minis purchases made by then. I am proud of one purchase for mini#1 I found yesterday at Target. He's back into Lego's, but he's more about designing buildings/ houses than airplanes/rockets that you usually see. He may be my future architect! Anyway, it's a beach house and so cute. He'll love it. And it was only $28.99! Some of those Lego kits are $50, $80 or more! Crazy for a bunch of plastic pieces I will inevitably painfully step on while barefoot or will constantly try to avoid with the vacuum.



Now, if I dare back track to Halloween. It was a great night. The minis went out with Mr. Pink, some other dads and their minis. They brought home a ton of candy while I stayed at home and made sure to get rid of every last piece of ours! Unfortunately mini#2 is home from preschool today with a cold and that croupy cough again. The cold air wasn't the best for him Friday night, but you can't deprive a kid from trick-or-treating! I hope everyone had a great weekend. It sure was beautiful, sunny and warm, in the south the rest of our weekend.



Mini#1 is a gangster, not a pimp by the way!

In the mind of a 3 yr old.

If you're 3 years old and you don't finish your dinner, your mommy tells you that you can't have a Halloween cupcake she made. What do you do? You grab the sprinkles off of the kitchen counter, go sit under the dining room table (your favorite hiding place)and shake BLUE (not the orange ones)sprinkles into your mouth until you are caught and look like a SMURF! You have no shame about it either.

All I can say is I'm off to Bunco in a witch costume for some mommy fun. Daddy, good luck getting sugar-filled mini#2 to bed tonight.

Halloween Humor

"HALLOWEEN IS GOING TO STINK THIS YEAR"

Tagged! Favorites.

Momx2 tagged me to list some of my favorites. Here goes.

1- Clothes - Mostly I shop at Ann Taylor Loft, GAP, Banana Republic (sales!), Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Marshall's and even Target for basics. It's not like I have a lot of dressing up to do these days!

2- Furniture Shop - The last furniture we bought was our dining room set and some furniture for our bedroom when we moved back to NC. We got it all from NC furniture country- Hickory/High Point area. Best deals on quality furniture.

3- City- I heart NY in the US. Favorite foreign city is still Paris.

4- Sweets - I love pies- key lime, pumpkin, coconut custard, pecan, etc. etc. etc. good thing Thanksgiving is around the corner. The pies are the best part for me!

5- Drink - I love milk. Still drink it a lot at dinner. Stronger drink- wine, pinot grigio or prosecco. I like a good cabernet, too.

6- Music - I like a wide variety of music. Jazz, hip hop, country (but not twangy stuff!), pop...

7- TV - I'm a reality freak. I love Intervention, The Hills (I'm 38 and watch this!), Tori and Dean, The Biggest Loser, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Jon and Kate Plus 8. You get the idea...

8- Film- Terms of Endearment is still my favorite, but Love Actually is 2nd favorite.

9- Workout- I use our elliptical machine about twice a week and lift arm weights while watching reality TV every other day. I also try to take walks with the kids 2-3 times a week.

10- Pastries- Croissants I guess. I don't eat a lot of pastries.

11- Coffee- I don't drink a lot of coffee. I'm more of a hot tea person, but I will pick up a Starbucks non-fat mocha latte from time to time at Target to sip while I shop. White chocolate mocha is yummy, too.

I tag anyone that wants to play along....

Misc Monday

So the day didn't start out the greatest. I was pulling out of my driveway to take mini#2 to preschool when I heard a horrendous sound. I had backed into a parked truck across the street. I'm not used to a truck being there, and, honestly I was distracted or hurried or whatever. It did more damage to my SUV, but luckily to just one piece above the wheel and partially on the bumper. His truck had one small damaged place. I had to leave a note because I do not know where the truck owner went with my neighbor. I told him "so sorry...come over for insurance info" I waited all day for them to return and then the truck and my note were gone at about 3:00! Hmm. Will have to talk to neighbor later. Thank goodness our neighbor is a super nice guy we are in good standing with. These days some people don't even talk to their neighbors. Will keep you posted.



Thanks Belle in Bloom for the BFF Gold Card on Friday. That is super sweet of you! You are a good friend! We have similar hectic lives raising two loud, active boys. Somehow we are surviving one day at a time. I'll pass it to Momx2. She is also raising two little boys, but we hope there's a little girl on the way!

Last Saturday we attended a neighborhood Halloween party. It was so much fun and I was amazed at the creativity of my friends. The best costumes had to be the two girl chickens (one of which will be cleaning my teeth tomorrow at the dentist's office), one Colonel Saunders and a bucket of KFC. If you remember my post when I was looking for costumes I chose a go-go girl. Mr. Pink was a prisoner. There was a Dolly Parton/Kenny Rogers couple, Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo, Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Lucy and Ricky Riccardo. Mr. Pink and I were color coordinated only because we weren't sure if he was going to be able to go or not due to a cub scout commitment. I found his costume Saturday morning! Mini#2 thought we were going trick or treating without him. That made me laugh hard. I think he still expects us to wear our costumes on Halloween night!

Wordless Wednesday- Love or Hate?

I survived the reunion and even got a t-shirt.

I think I can finally write with a clear head. Our reunion was too much fun. As in we paid for it dearly on Sunday. I think you look forward to these, but then you're somewhat hesitant to visit your past. Walking into a reunion brings back all kinds of feelings. You walk in the person that you've become, but still feel a little like the person you left behind. It doesn't help matters that you must wear the obligatory name badge broadcasting your senior photo to all in attendance. But thank goodness for those badges in some cases. Otherwise I could have been speaking to someone and had no clue who they were.

For the most part everyone looked about the same, but there were a few that time has not been very kind to over the years. And why is it that the men seem to look the exact same yet more distinguished? Hello. I know. I live it. The women have had kids and have run households for years, some while working outside the home, while the men are safely tucked away in offices and golf carts. I'm just saying. For me, the reunion was, surprisingly, a confidence builder as I received many nice compliments. Does that mean I looked like crap in high school though? Hmm. But doesn't everyone want to return to a reunion better than you were before? Not in looks, but in self. More secure. More grounded. Free from insecurities that once had their ugly grasp on you. Of course there are new insecurities that come from aging, but not nearly as gripping as they seemed to be in junior and senior high school. I, for one am glad those days are over. I think I "blossomed" and gained life experiences in college, but I still look back on high school fondly. That just sounded old!

I couldn't imagine missing a reunion. If you have doubts about going, get over them! And don't worry. There's always going to be a bar nearby to supply any liquid courage required!

If you were wondering and as you can see, I went with the dress that my mom found. A grey Calvin Klein. I wore black 3 1/2 inch platformish heels and didn't even break an ankle while dancing crazily to 80's music. I hope my friends don't mind I posted this photo.

Class of '88

In a couple hours we're loading the car with the family and headed to my hometown. My 20th class reunion is tomorrow night! This is so cliche' but it seems like yesterday I attended my 10th (no minis at that time)! 20 years has flown by! I'm so excited. My friend in NY is flying down tomorrow and is staying with us at my parents' house. Poor thing just went to the doctor to load up on antibiotics. She's been sick all week, but doesn't want to miss the reunion. She had just moved to NY when we had our 10th and had to miss it. My college roomie (the girl I go see foreign films with) also went to my high school so we're all sure to have a fun time. We kind of laugh about it all because we feel that we've already "caught" up with so many classmates because of Facebook! I've seen their kids, their vacations, etc.

I only have one problem. What to wear! My NY friend told me I should have posted my options on the blog, but I didn't. I have a black dress, a dress I bought in NY, a grey dress my mom found me, and another green/white dress from Banana Republic. I cannot decide. So it will be a fashion show at my parents' house tonight to make the final decision. Or I may just make a wardrobe change every hour at the reunion. You know, like an award show host. This morning I got a mani/pedi and earlier this week I refreshed my "natural" highlights. If only I had had time to squeeze in a little Botox. You think I'm kidding. My forehead is quickly creasing. I've always been scared of Botox, but I was scared of childbirth, too and I survived that twice!

Ok, have a great weekend. I'll be back next week!

Who are you?

I'm borrowing this from Momx2 because I thought it was interesting. Are you a Jackie O or Marilyn or someone else?

I took it and surprised myself. My results were someone entirely different. However, these results are startlingly accurate in my case. I wonder if it has anything to do with your birth date? I am a Leo and we need lots of attention! I don't really follow horoscopes, but when I've read characteristics of leos in the past they have described me for the most part. Who are you?

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
• * Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
• * Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
• * Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
• * Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!

What I Like About Being an Ingrid

• * my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
• * my ability to establish warm connections with people
• * admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
• * my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
• * being unique and being seen as unique by others
• * having aesthetic sensibilities
• * being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me

What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

• * experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
• * feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
• * feeling guilty when I disappoint people
• * feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
• * expecting too much from myself and life
• * fearing being abandoned
• * obsessing over resentments
• * longing for what I don't have

Ingrids as Children Often

• * have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
• * are very sensitive
• * feel that they don't fit in
• * believe they are missing something that other people have
• * attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
• * become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
• * feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)

Ingrids as Parents

• * help their children become who they really are
• * support their children's creativity and originality
• * are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
• * are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
• * are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at

Hurry up and feel better minis!

The minis are having a rough week. Mini#1 woke me up last night saying his ear was hurting. It was draining. Bad ear infection with fever. We went to the doctor today. The first time he mentioned that it was hurting was last night before he went to bed. Poor thing. Earaches hurt! Then mini#2's cough turned croupy late today so we're off to the doctor with him tomorrow. He's going to miss preschool, too. I just won't tell him because he LOVES preschool. The minis were going to have flu shots tomorrow but we have to postpone them now. I can see that the doctor visits are starting early with fall. It was about 85 degrees here today. No fun being sick indoors!

We're off to Charlotte on Friday for my 20th high school reunion and staying with my parents. I hope Mr. Pink and I stay well and the minis are well on the road to recovery by then! I can't believe it's been 20 years since high school. According to all the facebook messages flying around it seems that there will be a lot of us attending. Can't wait!

Is there a shortage of material?

Today mini#1 and I headed out in search of his Halloween costume. I also had to search for a costume for a neighborhood party. I patiently entertained every whim mini#1 had. At first he thought he wanted to be the Joker, even though he has not seen the Dark Knight movie (or will he anytime soon). He just liked the costume. Next he said he wanted to be a bully. What? No, he's not going to be a bully. I would never condone that. He simply liked the studded-collar necklace in the "Gothic" section and thought all bullies wear leather coats and studded necklaces. He then toyed with the idea of being a king because the kid is fascinated with fairy tales and fables. Since the crown he wanted didn't have a matching robe, he moved onto a gangster. This stuck.

He liked the hat the best. It's very cute with his dark hair. We may draw in a mustache. He did have to ask me in car on the way home what a gangster was. I sugar-coated it.

After we found his costume we headed over to look at the selection for women. I was mortified. I almost felt like I was in an adult novelty store with my son! And no, I've never been in one of those stores if you were wondering! The costumes were mostly R and X rated in my opinion. Now 15 years ago I may have been all over the SEXY German barmaid or the Sassie Lassie (Scottish tartan-clad hookerish look), but probably not. I did dress up one year with three friends as Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and that was so much fun. However, I have a simple neighborhood party to go to full of married couples this year. As I stood there pondering my choices mini#1 tried to assist by saying "Look mom. You can be Alice in Wonderland!" Umm. Alice must be experiencing the effects of global warming or early menopause because that costume was way too short showing all kinds of skin. And come to think of it- ALL of the costumes were lacking yards of material. Is there a shortage of cloth/polyester in China these days? I looked in disbelief from Little Miss Riding Hooker, um Hood to Daring Dorothy of Oz to Snow not-so-White and all were teensy weensy! I will give it to Party City. They had a huge selection! I finally decided on a PG rated Go-Go girl costume because I already have a short black wig my friend and I bought on a whim in Atlanta years ago. The black/white dress is short but not minuscule and it has a cute hat. I'll just wear black boots. If I chicken out with this costume I'll just be a witch. I have a hat and orange and black tights. The minis already think I'm mean enough to pull it off. You know that's not true!

So what are you doing for Halloween and who are you dressing up as?

First Field Trip

This morning I accompanied mini#2 on his first field trip. We met his classmates at the NC Museum of Life Sciences. All the minis had on matching preschool t-shirts. I'd post pics, but they have the name of the preschool and mini#2 had on a name tag. They lined up quietly outside and put "bubbles in their mouth" (looked like holding breath) to keep from chatting. I may mention this to mini#1's teacher at our conference tomorrow. Kidding. Once in the Discovery Room, the guide, Anthony, gave the best presentation. He really had a way with kids and they were mesmerized. They even got to touch a few animals.

My child got the most laughs of the day, too. When Anthony pulled out a large snake skin from a box, he asked the preschoolers "Where did this skin come from boys and girls?" Mini#2 quickly answered, "From your box!" Anthony told their teacher "This is a super smart bunch of kids this year!"

We had such a great time together looking at snakes, butterflies and even hissing cockroaches (gag!). My little one is growing up quickly. I'm proud of him. He's not the least bit shy and made sure to say hello to every child he knew. He even told another museum guide "How are you today?" as we passed by. The guide got a chuckle out of that.

Afterwards we went to get his Halloween costume. No more cute animals or miniature professional outfits. We've moved on to Power Rangers. He'll be the pint-sized blue one! Now if only mini#1 can decide what he wants to be. He's changed his mind about ten times already.
I plan to take him on Saturday to pick out his costume. He loves Halloween! It makes me get even more excited to see him excited. Ok, got to go. The bus arrives in a few minutes. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Note from school

So, your child has been gone all day. Your day has gone well and you even make it to the bus stop to meet said child before the big yellow bus squeals to a halt. You give big hugs and exchange kisses (He's 7. This WILL end soon I'm certain) and chat about his day as you walk back home. All is sunny, happy and loving. A Hallmark movie.

Until, you open loving child's daily folder and....what's this extra piece of paper on the wrong side of the folder? Hmm. A note. From the teacher. Mr. and Mrs. Pink, Mini#1 has not been following directions...not using inside voice in cafeteria...talking in hallway after warnings...please speak to him about the importance of following the school expectations. Good grief! Hallmark movie is quickly a thing of the far past. We had the "talk" to end all talks, did his homework together, and then I made him write sentences. I WILL LISTEN TO MY PARENTS AND MY TEACHERS. No play outside, no TV and then more talking. I don't know why I imposed the sentence punishment. I remember my mom doing this once, but I was an angel (well, for the most part) in school. I never had notes sent home! Mini#1 is only in 2nd grade. I really don't want to think the kid has ADHD, but I think the kid has ADHD! It's driving me crazy. He can't sit still for homework. He remembers one task if I give him two or three to complete. Is this boys? Is it ADHD? Whatever it is it's tough. He's a good kid, but his lack of listening is really a concern for me these days.

And, can you believe this? After he wrote an entire page of sentences he gave it to me. I asked him, "What did you just write?" Do you know he couldn't remember???? He said "I will not...I forgot the next part." Once I supplied "LISTEN!" he suddenly remembered the rest. I think my head spinning around while steam blew from my ears triggered his memory. The best part of this whole situation is that we have parent/teacher conferences on Thursday. He's doing so well academically, but it's the behavior area I better be prepared for on Thursday. Most days I still feel like a kid myself. When exactly did I sign up to become a 38 year old responsible parent in charge of this hall talking, outside voice speaking, ants in the pants 7 year old? Anyone have any advice? Books? Websites? Medications (for me or mini#1)? I think we need all of it!

Change of Plans

I forgot to mention that my friend and I saw a different movie after dinner Friday night because the other one was no longer playing. We saw Trans Siberian. It stars Woody Harrelson and Emily Mortimer (Match Point and others). It was pretty good (What we remember. They do serve wine.) We just remember laughing a little more than the other movie patrons. Well, it was a suspenseful movie so why were we laughing? I think it was because Woody Harrelson was channeling his Woody from Cheers character for this movie. The popcorn was excellent! Besides this though, I had a great time with my friend and we had much needed girl talk.

Manic Monday

The weekend was a whirlwind of activity.

Saturday, Mr. Pink and mini#2 went to the NC State game. Mini#2 was so excited that he got to see Mr and Ms Wuf (our mascots) in the parking lot and he even threw his football with Mr. Wuf. He could not stop talking about it! Then Mr. Pink told me how the "three prettiest girls" (did he have to add that comment?) from the tailgate party next to them played football with mini#2 as well! He said it was funny to see the jealous guys from the girls' tailgate looking at #2 wondering what the "prettiest girls" saw in mini#2! Anyway, one of them offered to babysit anytime so you can never have too many babysitter choices.

After the game mini#1 and I picked up Mr. Pink and #2 and headed two hours east to make it to Mr. Pink's grandmother's birthday dinner. We had a table for 20 in Calabash, NC! It was crazy, but a lot of fun, too. Yummy seafood! Then back to my MIL's house. Other than looking thinner, she seems to be handling this slower paced round of chemo very well. She was glad to see the kids and vice versa. Sunday Mr. Pink did some things on her "to do" list and then we headed back to our house. We got home at 7:45, 15 minutes before mini bedtime! Fast trip, but minis had school bright and early this morning.

Then we get to manic Monday. I'm putting on mini#2's shoes for preschool this morning when I receive a call from mini#1 at school. In his pitiful voice he told me his head and stomach hurt. He'd been there for one hour! So what did I do? I grabbed mini#2, a bottle of Motrin and headed to mini #1's school to medicate the pitiful child. I was praying this would do the trick. I'm not entirely unsympathetic. I always tell him to "call me after lunch" if you don't feel any better and this morning was no exception. Usually this wards off the future call and keeps him from being counted as absent since he completes over half a day at school. Am I the only one to do this?

After this stop I went to two gas stations and both were out of the super unleaded gas. I was getting nervous as I pulled into preschool with mere fumes in the tank. After drop-off I ventured a little further out and, luckily, found some gas before I ran out! Then I stopped by Wal-Mart and saw half of the preschool moms there as well. Something about shopping without kids makes us all giddy from excitement! It's so nice to talk without whiny kids interrupting! Wal-Mart and toddlers just aren't a good mix.

After preschool pick-up, mini#2 and I go home, I make lunch and then I happen to check voice mail (always forget to do this). Mini #1 had called about 50 mins earlier to say he still felt bad. Good grief! I grab mini#2 again, no shoes this time, and head for the school. He only missed an hour and fifteen minutes today, but you just wouldn't believe how his illness has magically dissipated since we've been home! I'm sure it will resurface tomorrow morning.

I have promised myself that I will never be the mother that lived next to my family growing up. She let her daughter stay home from school if the poor girl had a hangnail! It was all over when her daughter started menstruation. Gee. Never thought I'd write "menstruation" on my blog. Anyway, the cramps are probably why she ended up with a G.E.D.! Ironic thing is she is a nurse now!

Ok, back to laundry before dinner. "Skud" Scouts, as mini#2 calls it, is tonight.

Now Playing...

Tonight at the White House the boys will be eating hot dogs and french fries and watching:

However, Mrs. Pink will be eating tapas with a friend in downtown Raleigh and then going to the Rialto theater to see:

I think I'm getting the better end of the deal tonight! Enjoy your Friday night.

It's a good one!

As the weather starts to get cooler I start wanting to make food to warm us up. I love making soups. I received this recipe from a friend last year and made it several times last winter. It is so yummy, a definite "comfort" food and it's made in your slow cooker (crock pot).

BAKED POTATO SOUP

6 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 3/4 lbs)
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 (14 oz) cans Swanson chicken broth with roasted garlic*
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup whipping cream or half-and-half (I use fat free half/half)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 8 oz container reduced fat sour cream (optional)
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
extra cheese

1- Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 quart slow cooker.
2- Cover and cook on HIGH 4 hours or on LOW 8 hours or until
potatoes are tender.
3- Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soup is
slightly thickened; stir in cream, shredded cheese and chives. Top
with sour cream, if desired, and sprinkle with bacon and cheddar
cheese before serving.
Makes 12 cups.

*I only use 2 cans of the broth with roasted garlic and 1 can of
regular chicken broth. I found that 3 cans of garlic was a little
strong.

Enjoy!

I'm still here.

I just haven't had a lot to blog about this week. Just busy being an adult with adult responsibilities. So this post is very long in order to make up for lost time.

Is anyone else a little down because of all the depressing news in the world today? I'm trying not to worry (until I get my 401K statement in the mail), but it really is disheartening to hear all of the bad "stuff" in the news.

That's why I want to share something good. We live in a great neighborhood. We found it during our two day house hunt and it felt "right" from the beginning. I have made some very good friends here. That's saying a lot because usually I'm more of a keep to yourself kind of person, mainly because I was a working mom for so many years. These friends/moms help each other out through last minute babysitting, meals when surgeries occur, babies are born, a mother-in-law is going through chemo (they did this for me). We genuinely care for one another. Despite the fact that so many of us have our own "stuff" we're struggling with daily. They range from a child with learning disabilities and the mom's heartache at having to comfort her child as well as fight for her in the school system. One has a best friend that has stage 4 breast cancer in the hospital because she has become septic and she has a two year old son that clings to her. Another had a coworker that killed himself last week, on his birthday no less, a day after seeming fine at work. Sorry to plant more bad "stuff" in your minds! Life is scary. The older we get the more we have to deal with and it is overwhelming at times. It's comforting to have your "people", a label I borrow from Grey's Anatomy, when you need them. Your people, and a lot of prayer.

This brings me back to the good I was going to mention. One of my mom friends is from Massachusetts and has a very good friend there whose husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis only two months ago. He literally cannot speak now and is paralyzed on one side. They have two young sons, like me, and the mom is a stay at home mom. Can you imagine the last two months for this family? The future months for this family? My friend in NC is devastated and wanted to ask us for items for a yard sale the friend's neighborhood in MA was arranging so proceeds could help this family. Or for any ideas on how to help this family. This email just happened to come to us a couple days before our monthly Bunco night. Another friend suggested we donate our Bunco money to this family instead of playing that night. Usually we have about 10-12 people come and I've even missed a few lately, but I was pleasantly surprised to count at least 20 people there on Thursday night! My friend tried to thank us all, but couldn't get the words out. She cried, we cried and it's just one of those moments you bond with other women. I don't even think it was the money. It was the sense of feeling for this family and feeling for our friend who is hurting as a result of this diagnosis. I got to speak to the other friend who has the friend with breast cancer. I think it helped her to talk to me about it and then I shared something with her that I've been struggling with over the last month. I can't blog about it. Just some surprising news I received recently. Don't worry. I'm fine now. Family is fine. Point is, sometimes a spouse or parent can't help in some situations when a friend can. Don't take friends for granted. A good friend is one that, when time passes, and you speak to them, things begin right back again effortlessly. I have several friends like that. And don't forget that there is still a lot of good in the world despite the portrait often painted in the news.

My kids drive me crazy (often), but I look in their faces and I see innocence, hope, joy, a future yet to be determined and it makes me happy that they have a while longer before they get entangled in their own adult lives. Until then, it's up to me as a parent to teach them right from wrong, to be KIND and to have good, loving hearts. God entrusted me with their lives. It's an awesome responsibility. Are you teaching your child to be kind? Are you being a good friend? Just something to think about this week.

I should have given assumed names to all the friends I mentioned. I hope this wasn't too confusing to read!!

Is this day over yet?

It's 10:18 p.m. and:

1- Mr. Pink is still at work!
2- The kids drove me crazy today.I'm counting the days until school starts again Monday for#1.
3- I almost forgot to take advantage of free shipping (through today!) with Land's End, but just successfully ordered the minis matching down vests in spice brown.
4- SHOCKER....Kidding.... I just learned that Clay Aiken is gay. That's about as non-newsworthy as when Star Jones FINALLY admitted to gastric bypass a year or two after the fact. Clay, I still like you because you're from NC.
5- I'm losing my tan.
6- I'm losing my mind.
7- I need a glass of wine, but it's already 10:24.
8- People are coming out of the wood works to "friend" me on Facebook.
9- I made a new recipe for dinner and the minis were underwhelmed...as usual.
10- I think I'll go have that glass of wine anyway!

Cheers!

Miscellaneous on Monday

Did you watch the Emmys last night? If not, you didn't miss a lot. I was reading a book while watching. I am glad Tina Fey won for "30 Rock". I mainly enjoy the award shows for the fashion or lack of fashion in a lot of cases. My fav was Mariska Hargitay's autumnal yellow. I was not a big fan of the spray on tans this year `a la Jennifer Love Hewitt and Lauren Conrad. I almost didn't recognize either!

We're back into school week for mini #2 and in our final week of track out for mini #1. Poor #1 got to go with me to try on dresses today. I have an upcoming reunion and I found a dress in NY, but do not know if it's the "one" or not. Of course the attire is "dressy casual". WTH? I hate that. What exactly is "dressy casual" for a girl? Anyway, I found plenty of other items I wanted for fall- boots, swing coats, jewelry, jeans, just not dressy casual attire for my reunion. It's kind of difficult to speed shop when you're on the preschool timer anyway. Not enough time. I will have to try again. We swung into mini#2 preschool parking lot at exactly 12:15- pick up time!

Speaking of mini#2 (well now I'm going to speak about #2 anyway), he has been a little love bug lately. He will, out of the blue, come up to me and kiss my hands. This weekend he'd sneak up on me and kiss the tops of my feet (while I read in inclined position) while professing his love for me. WTH? He kisses my cheeks and lips....on and on! This morning was the best though. I woke him up and his first words were "Good morning pretty lady." I laughed so hard. Where is he getting this? Watch out little girls. In about 12 years we're all in trouble!

Ok, back to looking for coats online for the minis. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Five on Friday

Here are five things this Friday that I'm liking...

1- These cute red patent flats I found in SOHO last weekend....in PAYLESS! The window display full of surprisingly cute shoes drew us inside and I had to have these. I don't know why I was surprised though. Clemsongirl showed us her Payless green patent flats in the spring so I bought those last April. Same brand and extremely comfortable!

2- Bare Minerals makeup. My mom got this makeup for me for Christmas (ULTA) and I have gotten so many compliments on my makeup over the past months. You have a glow about you when wearing it.

3- Kozy Shack Creme Caramel Flan. I have a sweet tooth. I love creme brulees and flans. This is so yummy. Try it if you haven't. So good. I promise.

4- That song, "Closer" by Ne-Yo. Not only the song, but his dancing. Did you guys see him on Ellen the other day? He tried to teach her his moves after he sang this song and she almost had it. I love watching hip hop dancing. Watching being the key word!

5- The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond. Such a good book. Eloquent writer. Her writing reminds me of Jodi Piccoult. This is such a touching story. Read it. You won't be able to put it down. I love a book that makes me ponder its meanings a long time after I've put it down.

Have a nice weekend!