all tHings gReen

hAppy St. pAtrick's dAy !

It had been a long while since making "green pancakes" for the holiday.

I did this every year when my 2 oldest were little.

I even made green egg scramble once.

Where is that "Sam, I am" when I need him?

I thought it would be fun to treat the 2 youngest to the tradition that had long since past.

Milo was a wee bit leery about eating green pancakes.

I assured him that they tasted just the same and that his older brothers used to eat them.

He gobbled them up!

Lil ' she was even more leery about the colored pancakes.

She only ate 2.

I have to admit they really don't look all that great.

On to getting ready for work.

I dug out some green eye shadow.

Wore my green scrubs.

Green gum!

My trusty green water bottle, my efforts to save the planet.

Green pear, oh so sweet.

So after urging my own to eat the green pancakes, what do I find at work?
I have worked at this hospital for nearly 18 yrs.
Never fail, each St. Patrick's day.
Green bagels are delivered by the management.
They actually tasted great this year and were soft and fresh.

Good day to you.
I leave you wishing for the green,
of the coming spring to brighten our days.

just Shake'm In

It has been about three years since I invested in buying new undergarments for myself.

A few weeks back I decided it was time, well our dryer did.

So after our dryer ate several of my silkies.

(Of course I waited until the dryer was fixed.)

It was time.

I was pretty sure that I needed to by a smaller size!

Yeah, for me. On the bottom end but not the top end.

Upon delivering our last child my weight was 220lbs or so.

Now I teeter at about 165lbs, depending upon the glorious monthly cycles.

Which of course adds 5 to 8lbs, plus the extra weight put on by cyclic cravings.

So when do you know it is time for a new bra and panties?

When your dyer eats your clothes.

The obvious, you have to wash too often.

Because the supply doesn't meet the demand.

You lean over and your under wire pokes you in the eye.

Or this one:

Upon leaning over to scrub the tub you come to the realization that your shrunken, saggy used up lactation devices are sloshing around in side the bra cup.

Oh what a sad day!

For the bottom end, well I'll have to bring it up again.

That monthly cycle wears on the silkies down here.

Our cycles really have an affect every aspect in our lives

I was pleased that on the bottom I could purchase a smaller size in the waist.

The waist is measured not the "buttocks," there is still plenty there.

The thighs and hips are packing most of the weight.

Some say, "more cushion for the pushin' "

So, I shouldn't worry.

I don't want any injuries anyway.

Where is this leading?

Why can weight loss be proportional to "OUR DESIRE?"

Yes, my top end shrunk, yet there is still a lot of cellulose on those thighs and hips.

The top end wasn't that big to begin with either.

Even prior to child bearing years.

You'd think that after all that we go through to have children.

We'd come out on top.

We deserve it, right?

As you know, this is not how it works in the real world.

The real world, not of that of "silicone valley"

We are left, plump, stretched out and a whole lot saggier.

Due to the economic state of the world.

A trip to "silicone valley" just ain't gonna happen!

So my only choice is to buy a new bra.

So there I am getting fitted for a new bra.

Out comes the measure tape.

I will reiterate, there just isn't a whole lot there.

The bra I was wearing is a 38 C.

I now need a 36 C.

Wait a minute, that is the same size cup.

It just doesn't make sense, to me.

The kind, well trained, much older lady helping me.

Graciously, informed me,

that the "cup" of the 38 C is the exact same cup as the 34 D.

Hence my sloshing problems.

Go figure.

The lady assisting me is very knowledgeable in the subject of bras.

It is important to wear your bra " properly!"

She adjusted the straps.

So that the back of the bra fit straight across my back.

and not at an upward curve.

Next, I had to bend over at my waist and back up again.

Evaluating to see if the bra stayed where it was supposed to.

Move your arms around to check comfort under the arm area.

A quick check to adjust the under wire to the proper spot.

Using a little "push up motion," provides a proper lift.

Last but not least, sit down.

Is your left over "baby bulge "or "muffin top" squishing up

causing any discomfort?

Now for the most important tip.

How to put your bra on.

After you fasten the clasps, pull up the straps and in one smooth motion.

Lean forward, gently pulling the upper portion of the cup and strap forward a bit and

you "shake'm in" to fill the cup.

The cute little lady actually leaned forward,

demonstrating this process for me as she explained .

I was in awe.

I make my bra choices and go forth to the check counter.

Again the darling lady informs me of how to wash, dry and store my new bras.

Ready for more info?

Don't wear the same bra two days in a row.

Switch them up a bit to keep their shape.

Don't fold one cup into the other one to store in your drawer.

Lay your bra out so both cups are looking you in the face.

Washing. Make sure you fasten the clasps before washing.

This helps the clasps from getting bent out of shape.

COLD water wash ONLY!

Always wash your bras in a mesh bag so that they don't get all tangled up and stretched out.

....and NEVER, NEVER , NEVER dry your bras in the dyer!

After washing, use your fingers to gently smooth out and reshape the cup.

Again, lay flat with the exterior of the cup out.

Who would of thought that you could receive so much bra training in one day.

I guess I should be happy that I was sized for a 36 C and not a training bra.

Remember to shake'm in!

cake of ' 06

Nothing inspiring for me to post about, so I have pulled a cake from the archives.

Here is a cake that I made for the "Birthday Boy" from the previous post.

Poor boy, I worked on his birthday this year and haven't even made him a cake.

I did give him a box of 36 Butterfinger candy bars though.

I am pretty sure that we are good.

So 4 years ago I made this cake for him.

Obviously I made the pattern from his T-shirt.

It is some type of "skater logo."



Ha-ha, the rambunctious boys in my family thought that I should have changed the " thumbs up" to another " unmentionable finger gesture."

What am I to do about them.

That's it, ode to 4 years ago.

happy birthday Tommy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

tOMMY is 14 today, I can't believe it.

I love this kid.

His genuine smile lights up the room.

You may be looking at the grouping of pictures at the opening of the blog.

Now, look closely at the 3 smaller pictures of the kids.

Here you'll see tOMMY's real smile, not the forced teenage, I am sick of taking pictures smile.

tOMMY has grown in to teenager hood quite well.

He loves to relax.

When he isn't playing soccer or hanging with his buddies you can find him relaxing on the couch or his bed.

tOMMY is longing for sunshine, a boy is after his moms heart.

Poor kid, today it is snowing.

No sunshine here.

I struggle to find words to describe my tOMMY.

I love pictures, they speak for me.

I remembered these pictures from last summer.

They warm my heart, make me smile, love, and relax.

He wishes I'd relax.

( Sorry, not gonna happen. Why? Cause I am mom.)

They also remind me that underneath that rugged teenage shell, is my tOMMY at heart.

These pictures are tOMMY to a T.

Enjoying life, and the sunshine.

Oh to be a teenager again.

RELAXING


FULL OF LIFE



The serious tEENAGER!

I love you tOMMY,
with a love more than words or pictures can say.
You are my son.
Forever and for always.

Who loves you the most?
"The ma. The ma, The ma, ma, ma!"
a long forgotten childhood bedtime chant of ours

oh Valentine

More like valentines week than day. We began the week creating a valentines box for Milo's school valentines box project. Multiple notes came home for several weeks prior to this last week reminding us of the impending valentines box contest. Now may I remind you that this is for the children, not. One of the notes came right out and said for kids and parents. Talk about adding pressure and stress to evenings packed with dinner preparations, homework, bathing, laundry, etc.....This means parents. Milo wanted to make a gorilla. Ya right. We finally agreed on a tank.

When I made valentines boxes at his age. It was done at school. Every one had the same decorating supplies. The only potential for one being impressively better was that he/she brought a bigger shoe box to decorate and artistic talent. At any rate, the boxes where made of white, red and pink paper with similar colored heart cut outs and paper doilies.

I must admit I love to create tangible projects. I am sure you have notice that writing, more so clever, funny writing just isn't a talent that I behold. Not that I am a professional at valentines boxes either, but in short it was fun to make OUR valentines box. On the back side of the tank it said, "TANKS for being my valentine!" Milo thought it was clever, so did I in childish way. Off to the side you'll see that a plenty of paper hearts were cut out to decorate a container for Lil's valentines party at daycare. Milk jugs are a great quick easy way to throw together a last minute valentines container on a days notice. All done, I wish. Now to label the valentines. Madagascar Penguins and Tinkerbell were the choices made. Again I made my valentines for school and walked 3 miles to school in the snow.

On to another valentines tradition. One, I do love.

SUGAR COOKIES!

While using our heart shaped cookie cutters to trace hearts for her valentines jug, Lil wanted to make cookies. I wasn't ready to tackle that yet. Have you read the book, "If you give a Pig a Pancake?" So a promise was made, that on Saturday we would make valentine cookies.
Nothing better that cream cheese frosting, anything else would be a sin.

After clearing the the kitchen of flour, and all the mess. Lil' and I delivered the cookies.

Now a little time for my hubby. A mid it all , I did not forget him. We exchanged cards and candy. Simple this year. Don't forget our play lists we compile for each others MP3 players. I look forward to making a list of songs for him. This is the 3rd year for this tradition. My hubby is a quiet man. So, when he carefully chooses songs to melt my heart, it is as if the words and music are speaking to just me. Sappy I know. Here is a link to one of this years songs.

http://music.aol.com/song/ill-be-your-mirror-live/5181039

Want sappy?

I decided to go see my hubby perform with the band he joined almost 1 year ago. I use to regularly go and watch him with his old band. It had been years maybe even 7 or so since the old band. I was excited to go. I rounded up a few friends, then off to the bar. The only place around for small time cover band to perform. Bars just aren't my forte', but watching people on the other hand is. There is a lot of watchin' to do at a bar. Thank goodness state law prohibits smoking in bars now. Wow, who would a thought that smoking was bad for you. What about the the alcohol? I'll leave it at that. No wait, drunk people are just stupid and senseless, non the less interesting subjects to watch.

Oh, sorry on to the sappy. This band has a lead singer. It isn't my hubby, but it should be. While we were having a quiet valentines lunch earlier that day I requested that he sing my favorite song. He said, "no." What, can you believe that? I insisted, and that he had to sing it, not the main man. I hinted again in his valentine card, that it would just make the best valentines ever if he did. When I arrived with my small non drinking brood at the bar, he greeted us. The first set had just ended. Here was my chance to make my request AGAIN! So giving him my most endearing, eye batting look, I requested my song.

You ready? 2hours 55 mins later, 1255 am. "Last call for alcohol!" He steps to the front of the stage, to the lead mic. I start to grin, legs get all weak, heart goes a thump, thump, pitter patter. I look to my friends and smile, " this is it!" The first chords come, YES!!!!!!!!! School girl again, for a brief 5 mins 14 secs, as I hear his amazing voice sing the song. I sing along, tapping my toes and swaying to the lovin' rhythm. Heaven, in a bar, go figure. Oh, how I love my man. Definitely a night to remember.

After this nightime?

Our little Lil' is a singer and a dancer. A note was sent home saying that it is time to bring your tappies ( tap shoes ) to dance. She was so excited.

Lil' found her tappies and tried to put them on. It was like watching Cinderella's step sisters forcing their feet in to the glass slipper. Swishing and squirming to no avail. Her foot no longer fit in to last years taps. She was so sad.

"We'll have to buy new ones," I said.

"When?" asked Lil'.

"Uh mm, well I work tomorrow, so on Friday. Okay?" I say.

"After this night time?" says Lil'.

"No, I work tomorrow. The next day." I say.

"So after after this night time?" she says again.

No, sweetie. I work after this night time. But the day after that we can go buy new tap shoes." I explain.

"Oh, so we will buy my new tappies after this night time and another night time. Is that right?" she asks.

what's Been Happening

Milo I hope your wish comes true. He was thrilled that he got the bigger piece when we broke the wish bone.

My attempt at another healthy lunch. I loved it. Lil' is usually a good little eater, and eats most anything. She sampled it. I convinced her that she eats those food all the time, but this day she wasn't satisfied. She was coming down with the lovely cold and gumbo we have had. I bet any other day she would of loved it.

What is it?

fresh: kiwi, strawberries, pineapple, pears

cottage cheese

strawberry yogurt

Tooth #1 on top, gone. It took a lot of wiggling.

Lil' learning how to vacuum. Of course ,I had to help, but she tried non the less.

Tooth #2 is now gone. What a cute toothless grin.

Me, I actually put some make up on and went to church. Starting to feel better.

( photo by Lil' )