Randomness

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. We did. It has gotten chilly in the south! We braved the cold and wind to watch mini#2's soccer game Saturday morning. Then we did some cleaning out of old clothes, cleaning my closet, etc. until we met friends for dinner. We had the best cobb salad and pizza and then we took our kids for dessert here. It's in downtown Raleigh (or Glenwood South technically). Loved the red velvet flavor. Also loved the mocha one. Mr. Pink and I shared these two. Very cute shop. Glad it's not very accessible to me though. I'd pop in daily to try new flavors! Like the pumpkin with maple buttercream that I really wanted Saturday night.

Sunday church, more cleaning for me while Mr. Pink took the minis to see "Where the Wild Things Are". He didn't like it so much, but the kids did. Then dinner at home where, as usual, one mini didn't like it. Will I ever have a time when they both like what I make? It's killing me.

Today I've already dropped off loads at Goodwill, dropped off mini#2 for school, dropped off dry cleaning and bought milk/bread at the grocery store! Off to the gym for a quick workout before I retrieve mini#2 who is anxiously awaiting to go to Target to spend his gift card that had been lost until we joyously (him) found it again this weekend.

Have a great day! Nothing but sun here and a gradual return to the 70's this week.

What are they going to be?

Just wondering. What are your minis "going to be" for Halloween? This is the time of year I miss having a little girl. All the precious, frilly, girly, princessy costumes that I cannot buy. Instead, here are what my minis selected.

1- Do you even know who this is? Draco Malfoy- one of Harry Potter's enemies. Mini#1 was Harry Potter two years ago and he really looked like him because he has dark brown hair. Notice this kid below is blond. Therein lies our dilemma! He wanted a wig, but you just can't find one. So we're settling with spray hair color. I have a feeling it's going to look awful, but at least the tie and cape will be authentic!

2-OF course mini#2 selected a Star Wars clone trooper. Nothing cutesy, sweet for my 4 year old. He's all about Star Wars. Next year he wants to be Darth Vadar and then the following year he wants to be Captain Rex. He's already made sure that I know this in numerous conversations!

And what has been YOUR most fun costume? I've had some good ones, but I'll always remember what fun I had senior year of college creating and wearing Dallas Cowboy cheerleader costumes with three of my friends! We even found boots at Goodwill and had to spray paint them white. We got quite a bit of attention that year! I'm bummed that we'll miss our neighborhood party this year. Mr. Pink has his class reunion that night. I love Halloween! Don't you?

Nervous...

Just thinking of my dad right now. At this very minute he's in surgery to reduce his prostate. Very strange surgery involving laser, but will alleviate some issues he's had and will enable him to stop taking two medications. Unfortunately, this isn't an everyday surgery so I've already prayed for the doctor as well as for my dad. He had to go off of blood thinner medication to do this so I pray for no clotting, no infection, etc. etc. He gets to go home tomorrow, but I'm nervous and a worried daughter today! It's not easy or pleasant being an adult child worrying about your parents...

**Update: He did really well with the surgery. Should go home tomorrow. Hopefully, daily life will be better for him now. Although he is a man that NEVER complains. Guess I didn't get that personality trait from him!

Five on Friday- TV version

Here are my favorite shows to watch (or DVR) these days until The Real Housewives of Orange County returns. Ha!

1- The Biggest Loser. LOVE this show. So inspiring. I love seeing these people change their "insides" as much as their "outsides" throughout the season. These trainers are tough!
2- The Amazing Race. I'm back into this show. I love it so much better than Survivor because they compete as teams instead of individuals and the editing makes it so exciting. Somehow with editing you never quite know who is going to make it to the finish line last. There's a reason it's won 7 emmys in a row even beating American Idol year after year! Plus this show is my chance to see parts of the world I most likely never will.

3- Cougar Town- This new show is pretty funny. I love Courtney Cox anyway and since she's playing someone practically my age it makes it even better when they make light of serious issues we have! So funny this week when she was getting a mani at the same time as her waxing in preparation of being with her younger man. Cracked me up!

4- I can't give up my MTV shows altogether. I still love The City best. The Hills is getting on my nerves. Plus I love NYC so it's fun seeing all the clothes/restaurants/clubs in NYC on this show.

5- I still like Brothers and Sisters although HOW much DRAMA can one family have? Sally Field is my favorite on this show. She's a saint after dealing with all of her children's non-stop issues.

So what are your favorites? Any new shows worth watching? Have a great weekend!

I hear this is good. Let's be the judge.

Last week while chatting with the mommies on mini#2's field trip to a nature park, we discussed recipes. One mom

gave us this easy (Weight Watcher's) recipe for pumpkin muffins/cupcakes. I'm a little premature to post because I'm actually making these later today. However, thought I'd go ahead and post. Let's try it together and see if they're as good as she says they are...in other words, kids even eat them!!!

PUMPKIN MUFFINS (that won't have you looking like a pumpkin)

1Box Spice cake mix (Duncan Hines)

1 small can pumpkin (plain old pumpkin, not the pie filling)

2 tbsps water

1 egg white (she didn't tell me this, but saw on WW site that this makes them a little fluffier)

Follow pkg directions for cupcakes and then top off with a little cream cheese frosting if desired.

Use 1/3 less fat cream cheese, a little butter, vanilla and powdered sugar (sorry I don't have amounts). You can also make a glaze with powdered sugar and orange juice. Of course, then they won't be as low fat......

I'll update you soon to see if they are kid (and mommy) approved.

Much better day today although typing right now is painful. I took the "muscle" class this morning at the gym. Wouldn't you know I had the instructor that causes you limp for 3 days after her classes! My arms are already sore! No pain, no gain they say!

**Update- They are so good and easy! I skipped the water, but added the egg white. My kids and the neighbor loved them best with a tiny bit of cream cheese glaze instead of my o.j. glaze. Lisa commented that she makes them in mini muffin tins. Good idea, too!

Is this day over yet?

Just had a not-so-fun homework session with mini#1. Heaven help us. He's only in 3rd grade. Today we were estimating answers to math word problems to the nearest hundreth. He fought me on this so hard. He accused me of getting the right answer instead of estimating! How dare he! After a little yelling, some tears and then some calm, rational teaching he understands and we're through, but I now have him MEMORIZING his 8 additions. This may be mental math and not being taught, but I don't care. He needs to know 8+7 or 8+6 or 8+9 (you know JUST those answers that are "off of your 10 fingers") without a moment's hesitation so he can complete the complicated math he's started this year. In year's past they drew out 8 items and added 6 more drawn out items. Can't do that anymore. I've decided we're learning 8's today 7's, 6's, etc each day this week. And you all wonder why in the world I didn't home school. Man is it 5:00 yet? I need some cougie water! That makes me laugh. I read somewhere that cougie water is Pinot Grigio. I may have to make an exception to my rule and have a glass during the week (early week that is).

In mini#2 news his best friend his age, our next door neighbor, is moving to Texas tomorrow. This is breaking our hearts because the kids don't really understand that this is permanent and not like our temporary trip to Disney. Mini#2 keeps asking how many more days and it really is crushing me. He's going to miss this kid so much. Ahh life. Gotta love it sometimes.

Please tell me your Mondays are at least a little crappy like mine!

Five on Friday- It's a good one.

Ok, it's Friday. Time for fantasy fun. I was invited to dinner tonight with all of these men (in my dreams), but let's be honest, I can only handle four of the five hotties. Since I was taught to share, who will you graciously take off of my hands? There's someone for everyone. Which one do you choose?

1- Mr. Kevin Costner (how is it that older men get hotter with wrinkles?)
2- Robert Pattinson (AKA Edward Cullen)- swoon......

3- Sexy, Scottish man Gerard Butler who is my age, coincidentally.

4- Richard Gere- still makes me melt. And I saw an Italian tourist look-a-like of him (hair and all) at Hollywood Studios last week. Imagine that with an Italian accent. Wow! But with his four kids. Wow again!

5- Aaron Eckhart- also my age. Love his cleft chin. Saw "Love Happens" last weekend. It was alright, but reminded me how cute this guy is.

So enjoy dinner with a hottie star and the rest of your weekend!