Five on Friday

Reader participation required since I am at the beach. So tell me your favorites.

1- Beach or Mountains?
2- Heels or flats?
3- Chick flicks or Dramas?
4- More kids or no more kids?
5- SUV or minivan?

My answers:
1- Beach, of course.
2- I love wearing heels, just don't have enough opportunities to do so!
3- Tough one. Probably chick flicks so I can cry my makeup off in public while trying to act like I'm not.
4- No.more.kids.
5- SUV. If I ever want a minivan, it's time for me to check myself in for evaluation. Sorry, you minivan drivers. Just can't do it. It's not me.

Have a great weekend! I know I will.

Ahh. Thought this day would never get here!

In a few hours I am going to Myrtle Beach for our 3rd annual girls' beach weekend (that we start on Thursdays). Don't hate me as you think of me sitting in the sand reading instead of supervising kids. Don't hate me because I won't be making a single PB&J or handing out a thousand and one juice boxes. Don't hate me because the restaurants we go to won't ask "do you need a kid's menu?" Don't hate me as you think of me outlet shopping without a time limit and disgruntled kids. Just love me and work on getting your own girls' beach trip started! Every mom needs one! Be back soon!

Sweet love.

I'm so happy she chose Ed. Aren't you? They look so happy. Could this actually be another one (of the very few) that works? I hope so. They're so stinkin' cute together. Thank you Jason for letting her go!!!

And, what started out as sweet love (at least I hope), Charles and Diana, were married on this day 28 years ago! I was 10 and I watched the wedding of the century in a hotel room before I attended a family wedding. Did you watch it? Royalty has facinated me ever since.

Tasty Tuesday

By request, here is the recipe I posted about Monday.

ICE CREAM SANDWICH DESSERT

19 ice cream sandwiches (I used about 22)
1 12-oz tub cool whip (use lite!)
1 jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Sauce
2 Snickers bars, frozen and crushed

Lightly spray a 13x9 glass pan with cooking spray. Unwrap and arrange sandwiches in pan. Line one vertically, then cut one in half and put a half just below the vertical one. Then arrange 8 horizontally (4 in one row, 4 in another). Make sense? I then cut one more sandwich lengthwise to put at the bottom of the pan just so the entire pan is full. Spread hot fudge right out of jar, and not heated, over the sandwiches. Carefully, spread cool whip over the hot fudge and then top with half of Snickers. Repeat layers: sandwiches, hot fudge, cool whip, snickers and drizzle any remaining hot fudge over top. Cover and freeze until time to serve. Allow to sit at least 15 mins before cutting. Very good. You could also use salted peanuts, Heath bar or mini chocolate chips instead of the Snickers.

Wash your hands!

Please continue to wash your hands like crazy. My very good friend has a cousin in Tampa, FL that is paralyzed and on life support right now (since last Thurs) and it was confirmed today by the CDC that she has swine flu. 46 in that area have died from swine flu. It is not being reported as much anymore, but definitely still out there. I'm thinking of starting a business selling monogrammed face masks! Seriously, it's a scary thing and this girl is a mother of 2 young children. If she pulls through, and she may, she will most likely be brain damaged due to the high fevers she suffered. Very, very sad situation. This concludes my free blog advice and public service announcement. Now go wash your hands!

It's Monday, again....

What a fun-filled weekend! Dinner with friends on Friday night was super fun. Yummy paella, sangria, dessert. The kids entertained each other, albeit a little loudly. So now R, if you're reading, I'm ready for another girl's dinner and movie night, leaving all of our boys behind!

Saturday we headed out to the lake with 2 boats and had a great time. We always find a secluded cove to swim in and lunch. I had to pull Mr. Pink so he could ski, which always makes me nervous. Something about a boat not having brakes maybe??? Back home by 3:30 where we quickly showered, changed and went to a neighbor's house to cookout. Don't ask what time we got home. I'm embarrassed to say, BUT we did make it to church the next morning. I took a dessert. It was good and simple made with ice cream sandwiches, reduced fat cool whip, hot fudge sauce and crushed frozen Snickers. Yummy. You're loving that I threw in reduced fat cool whip aren't you? Every bit helps I always say! My friend made something similar the night before with Andes mints and Oreo crumbs. Also very yummy. I love refreshing, summer desserts don't you?

Fast forward to today. I'm making dinner for a family with a new baby, cleaning house, doing laundry, going to drop off some books at the library, and throwing an impromptu Bachelorette Finale party with two neighbors. We always talk about the shows via Facebook or email afterwards each week so I thought it would be fun to have them over tonight for the big ending where Jillian is SURE to find TRUE LOVE. Whatever.

So I must leave this computer and get back to work! And did I mention, I leave in 3 days for Mommy's Beach weekend with 10 other slightly haggard moms who magically all pep up once we hit the beach sans minis!

Friday Fluff

Happy Friday. Here's some filler fluff.

Last night was fun and lasted until 12:30, but we had a calm night. Not wild and crazy like some of the book club nights. We did have a discussion of the first adult beverages we ever had. Mine was California Coolers out of a 2-liter bottle. Remember that? What was yours? Boone's Farm??

Made a delicious caprese salad for lunch with some tomatoes I bought this morning at our city's tiny farmer's market. So yummy!! Gotta use sea salt.

I changed my profile pic after blogging for over a year and a half. You like? The gerbera daisy was boring me.

Went to the pool with mini#2 for a quick hour today before mini#1 got home because he was a good boy running errands with me this morning. I got in the water and enjoyed playing with my "baby" boy.

All of us are going to dinner at my friend's house tonight. She's a very good cook so I'm looking forward to it. My boys love playing with her two year old son, too. He's precious.

Tomorrow off to the lake with our neighbors. 3 boats and 7 kids. We'll swim, tube and eat lunch on the lake. I'm just not a lake person (unless it's in the middle of Paris or New York City!), but going with friends is fun.

Have a nice weekend. Stay out of trouble!

Tonight's the night.

I'm glad it's not just me whose darling offspring is driving them a little batty in this summer heat! But, fear not. Tonight is our July Ladies' Night Out and we're actually just staying in at a friend's house this month to drink ourselves silly. Why sugarcoat it. This is what we (often) do. We get to dress up a bit, chit-chat without kids interrupting, snack and partake in a little vino. All without watching a clock and stay until we, reluctantly, all decide to call it a night. Cheers!

No!

No! I don't know where your Star Wars light saber is!

No! You can't have a snack! (repeat 10 times in an hour)

No! You can't have another popsicle!

No! You can't ride your bike without a helmet! (repeat every day!)

And stop coming in and out slamming the door!

I'm a little grouchy today. I'm stranded at home without a car (at dealership) on an early school release day and wishing we could go to the pool today! At least my hair looks fresh as I scold young children. Highlights last night.

I'm here.

Just busy. A few updates.

1- Mini#1 went to the orthodontist yesterday. After pulling 4 teeth last month, it seems we will just wait now until next May for him to get a bionator (retainer-like thing). In May, so teeth can come in (doctor's suggestion) and so he can become more responsible to wear this, take it out for lunch, and put it back in afterwards without throwing it in the trash(my suggestion).

2- Saturday we went to Hickory, NC furniture shopping. Wanted to leave the minis there in the sea of sofas at one point. Note to self. Next time, go with Mr. only! Didn't really find what we were looking for on this trip. Looking to furnish our bonus room and office.

3- On the way back from shopping expedition, we stopped in Durham at a great little Italian Trattoria and Pizzeria that Mr. Pink goes to with guys at work for lunch. We ate outdoors on their patio and listened to live blues music playing in the courtyard. Had a (square) pizza with olive oil, garlic, fresh tomatoes, basil that was to die for. Had a yummy glass (or two) of sangria to take the edge off after the day's "shopping" as well.

4- Sunday, we all went to the pool and I made Mr. Pink get in and play with the kids. I do this regularly. It was his turn. Can I get an "amen" here? I got in, too, but had the day off from taking mini#2 down the water slide. Then we attempted to teach mini#2 how to ride his bike without training wheels. We'll keep attempting to teach...I'll just say.

5- Since I mentioned the pool, mini#2 (4 yrs old) finished his first swim lessons last week in a class with only 4 students. Mini#2 has been swimming underwater for a while now so I enrolled him in intermediate lessons right away though I was a little hesitant to skip the beginner class. He did fine with the 5 and 6 yr olds in his class. While he didn't pass the final test because he could ONLY swim 3/4 of the lane lap instead of the entire lap, I was surprised he could even go a 1/4 of it, let alone 3/4 of it. Way to go! One funny thing. His instructor, Michelle, was given the name Miss Chelle (2 words as if her name was Chelle)by mini#2. So funny. She loved that!

6- I laughed more yesterday than I have in a long time. It started with mini#2 asking a million and two questions while we were en route and at the dermatologist's office. All I could do was laugh to keep from crying at one point. He was concerned that the doctor would see me "naked" (I had on bra/panties and a sheet!) and I was thinking- ok, this is the last year you come with me, too! Then he asked, "When did God die?" I said, "He didn't die." Mini#2: "But, he's in heaven." Good grief! Then my mom and I were laughing hysterically over the phone about something silly last night. I was crying and couldn't breathe laughing. My husband thought I had gone crazy. Halfway crazy. Just not completely there yet. Give me time. Anyway, good day. My Alma mater's famous basketball coach, Jim Valvano, once said "If you laugh, you think and you cry, that's a full day." I love that quote. I had a full day!

Another full day today. It's basketball class day. Got to go squeeze in some exercise before I take mini#2 to the activity that has won me some serious mommy points! Enjoy your day!

Does this bother you?

I really don't mean to be petty on this blog, but does her hair bother you like it bothers me? The media is calling it a backwards mullet. It just looks so unflattering to me. Like she had an unfortunate accident with a lawn mower or something. She's an attractive woman. I hope someone advises her (soon!) to grow it out while the cameras are on hiatus. I also hope she finds peace and happiness after the drastic change of events in her life.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to North Carolina...

...Mr. Madoff. You're now about 40 miles away from me. Enjoy your extended stay in the south, but don't look for me to bake you a pie or pay you a visit. Appears you'll be here until November 14, 2139. I hope you like ACC basketball/football. It might take your mind off all of the remorse we all KNOW you're feeling right now for destroying people's lives.

Going for a walk and a little reality recapping.

I just asked mini#2 if he wanted to go for a walk (while it's currently 69 degrees).
His response: "Only if I can wear my helmet and knee pads so when the sidewalk hits my knees it won't hurt."

Smart kid. He takes his scooter in case you were wondering if he's just super accident prone while taking a leisurely stroll in all of that protective gear. Later we're off to his preschool aged basketball class and this afternoon we have a playdate at the pool for mini#1 and swim lessons for mini#2.

Did you watch The Bachelorette last night? What happened with ED? He's my fav! Surely it's just nerves. E.D. for erectile dysfunction maybe? I liked Reid, but come on!!! Spill your feelings. He couldn't verbalize anything. Why do I watch this show? I thought she was being respectable passing on the "fantasy suites" last week and then she gets a 2nd chance last night and uses all 3! And, back to Ed, what kind of bathing suit was that? One from his junior high years?

Where do you wish you could be this weekend?

Me? Definitely at the Diana Krall concert tomorrow night at Atlanta's Chastain Park. My very favorite outdoor concert experience. It's so intimate and you take your own picnic, wine and eat from TV trays. People even bring flowers in vases to adorn their trays! I love her Live In Paris cd. Here's a clip complete with Paris footage at the beginning.



Instead of the concert, I'll be here in NC entertaining relatives. Mini#1 is getting baptized on Sunday so it's a big weekend for us. My parents arrive in a few hours. Have a nice weekend wherever you are!

Talk Thursday

Busy Week for us. Mini#1 started 3rd grade on Tuesday. I'm so proud of him. He looks taller, older, happier. Happier because, Bella, his secret love, is in his class this year. Mini#2 started swim lessons (2 weeks) and attended his first basketball class for pre-schoolers. It's every Tuesday, but he asks me every day "is today Tuesday?" He loves it. The coach said "you have quite the little athlete there." You think? More like miniature obsessed athlete that "reads" his Kids' Sports Illustrated cover to cover when he isn't talking about or trying to play some sports like activity at home. I'm hoping he'll make us rich one day because I don't think he'll be reading 737 page Harry Potter books like his brother. Enough of the minis. Here's your chance to comment/vent/ whatever. If you haven't left a comment, do. In no particular order here are some random items for this week.

1- Is it just me or do you think MJ might have rolled around in his $25K gold casket when his kids were up on stage at his memorial and daughter (GASP)Paris, spoke to the world? He kept them so sheltered (with good reason I believe). I hope they go on to have more normal lives.

2- Where was Lisa Marie Presley this week? I think she just had a baby so missed the MJ memorial.

3- Just finished Eden Close by Anita Shreve. Jillian, Inc. said this was her favorite by Shreve when I reviewed Body Surfing a few weeks ago. This earlier Shreve book was so good! Didn't want it to end. Definitely ranks as one of my favorites by Shreve. And it ended happier than most of her books.

4- Wes is such a dog (I'll use nice language on my blog). Bachelorette. Did you watch Monday? Does he really think women will rush out to buy his music now? About 98% of us watch this show. Not good for his record sales. ED is my favorite by far. Just don't know if that's a good match or not. What do I care? None of these matches have worked in the past. Well, one. Trista and Ryan.

5- The best for last! I got my giveaway package I won over at Pink Martinis and Pearls .
Thank you so much!! Everything was wrapped so cutely in polka dot paper. I'm enjoying the Coffee, Tea or Me book and the Vera Bradley sunglasses case makes finding my sunglasses so much easier in my mommy bag I haul around everyday.
Thanks again!! You're a sweetie! PS- it does drive me a little crazy when I see people traveling on airplanes wearing sweats like they just rolled out of bed. Would it kill you to make a little effort and have some pride in your appearance? Even if it's a long flight. Just my opinion.

Ok, I'm through. Anyone still reading???

Lost

Last week I took the minis to Marbles, the interactive children's museum in downtown Raleigh. They climbed a giant pirate ship, explored a vegetable and flower garden, built cars to roll down a huge track, played on a mini hockey rink, climbed a small climbing wall, dressed in various career outfits and played in fire trucks....on an on! Makes me tired all over again!

About the time we were finishing up at the building cars and racing them, mini#2 lost us. I say that because I saw him the entire time. However, he did not see mini#1and me behind him. I watched him head over to the over sized legos so we followed him. He kept going. I turned a corner (one large area with 3 smaller play areas) and didn't see him so I knew he was not exploring as I first believed and that he was running at that point. I ran. Around the next display I spotted him standing next to the railings, two hands on the bars slightly above his head and he was crying looking down for us on the floor below. Animal "mommy" instinct kicked in and I screamed his name because, seeing him in anguish, sunk my heart instantly. I wanted to end his pain as quickly as I could! As a mother, I ached for him as much as he ached for me. He turned at hearing his name, recognized it was me and ran over to me as quickly as his little legs would carry him. I sank down and hugged him for dear life reassuring him he was ok and that I would never leave him. Selfishly, I relished in his love and dependence on me. It reassured me that I'm needed. You just never know how long that will last with children and, I suspect, with boys in particular. We hugged and hugged and I had to give him the "what to do if you're lost speech," but assured him I saw him and was coming to him. We dried his tears and then this unpleasant experience appeared to be a distant memory for him as he discovered the hockey rink and started playing again. I, on the the other hand, stood there for a long time watching him play hoping I could always take away his fears in life or, the very least, give him loving arms to cry in when needed.

So close!

Well done Andy Roddick!! Despite losing in the Men's Final at Wimbledon today (Roger Federer won his 15th Grand Slam surpassing Pete Sampres' record of 14), you really shined on the court this year, especially Friday and today. I watch a lot of Wimbledon matches every year. This match, by far, has been the most exciting final in a while. It set a record for being the longest at 4 hours and 16 minutes. The 5th set (no tie break in 5th)went to a final score of 16-14! It was nail biting until the end. I so wanted the underdog to win. He's American! It was heartbreaking to watch him tear up to the sound of his cheers and the standing ovation he received when he accepted his runner up plaque. Then they showed his new wife, of course, and her chin was quivering. I teared up, too! His hard work with his new coach, losing 15 lbs and getting married this year all seem to be helping his career. I predict another Glam Slam title or more in his future. Did you watch? And congrats to Roger, too. He's a class act and a very gracious winner.

Interesting facts:
Andy is one inch taller than Roger.
Andy (26)is one year younger than Roger (27).
Andy got married one week after Roger did in April this year.
I'll bet you didn't know Mrs. Pink is such a sports fan....

July 4th- Stay refreshed!

...with a fun popsicle

...or stay cool shopping indoors. I don't really do white shoes (do have some flat sandals trimmed in silver though), but love these red and blue Gucci heels!!!




...or make a batch of this white sangria I made last weekend. Many people didn't realize that there are white sangrias. I, personally, prefer the white because you won't wake up the next morning feeling like a truck ran over, backed up and ran over your head again! This is tasty.

WHITE SANGRIA

6 tablespoons of sugar
6 shots Triple Sec liqueur
1 lime, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
2 ripe peaches, sliced
1 green apple, diced (It called for 3, but thought that would be too much)
2 bottles white Rioja Spanish wine or other dry white wine
raspberries
sparkling soda to top off glasses if desired. We forgot and didn't miss it!!

Combine sugar, triple sec, lime, lemon, peaches and apples in a large pitcher. Cover with wine and chill several hours. To serve, spoon fruits into glasses first (from pitcher)adding a few fresh raspberries in each glass. Pour wine over fruit. Top with a splash of soda water if desired.

Makes about 14 glasses...more like 12.

Happy Fourth to you all!! Be safe!!