I love my camera.
We bought a Panasonic Lumix camera with a Leica lens right after we had the kiddo. Had to have a great camera to capture all those precious moments. It's taken many amazing pics and it's never far away from my hand.
Now that the kiddo is a big boy, HE wants to take all the pictures. I guess he is so used to seeing me do it, he figures it's perfectly fine to just pick it up and start snapping away.
So now when I pick up the camera and view the photos on the memory card, I see lots of pics like these:
His hair...maybe only a portion of it.
An eye...maybe 2 if I'm lucky.
Random toys. Lots and lots of toys.
And my personal favorite, smudges from his fingers on the lens.
He's a budding Ansel Adams I tell ya!
And then there's the series of self portraits...those are just genius!
So I wonder...is he talented or what?
I guess only time will tell!
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
BRRRR!!!!!!
It's a balmy 20 degrees here this morning.
With a 13 MPH wind...gusting to 25 MPH.
Which gives us a wind chill temp of 7.
Yep...that's S-E-V-E-N. As in one more than six.
This Florida girl was shivering in her size 7 Fuggs this morning!
I got the Kiddo off for school this morning bundled in his 3 layers, hat, gloves...the works! And he didn't even complain about the cold! He was just excited to see the snow flurries flying around again.
Which brings me to the subject of today's blog...
I want a do-over of yesterday.
Yesterday was the perfect Sunday...a fire roaring in the fireplace all day, football on the TV, and snow flurries falling on and off throughout the day.
The white stuff started coming down in the morning and picked up a bit around lunch time...giving us just enough on the ground to play in and EAT.
The kiddo had snow all over his glove after picking up handfuls and trying to eat it.
Ahh. I wonder where he gets those ideas? (Me...totally me.)
But the joy on his face is the real reason yesterday was so much fun. There's nothing like a snow day.
Have a great week!
With a 13 MPH wind...gusting to 25 MPH.
Which gives us a wind chill temp of 7.
Yep...that's S-E-V-E-N. As in one more than six.
This Florida girl was shivering in her size 7 Fuggs this morning!
I got the Kiddo off for school this morning bundled in his 3 layers, hat, gloves...the works! And he didn't even complain about the cold! He was just excited to see the snow flurries flying around again.
Which brings me to the subject of today's blog...
I want a do-over of yesterday.
Yesterday was the perfect Sunday...a fire roaring in the fireplace all day, football on the TV, and snow flurries falling on and off throughout the day.
The white stuff started coming down in the morning and picked up a bit around lunch time...giving us just enough on the ground to play in and EAT.
The kiddo had snow all over his glove after picking up handfuls and trying to eat it.
Ahh. I wonder where he gets those ideas? (Me...totally me.)
But the joy on his face is the real reason yesterday was so much fun. There's nothing like a snow day.
Have a great week!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Greatest Woman I Ever Knew...
She was born Pattie Jane Blount on August 26, 1951 to a middle class family in Tampa, Florida. With white blond hair and big blue eyes, she looked like a baby cherub...so cute and chubby!
As she grew, she became a beautiful young woman...and she dropped the 'E' at the end of her name. From then on, she was known as Patti.
She met and fell in love with Michael Bernaldo at a high school football game in 1966 and married him 2 weeks after graduation in June of 1969.As she grew, she became a beautiful young woman...and she dropped the 'E' at the end of her name. From then on, she was known as Patti.
They had a baby girl in April of 1970. They named her Monica. She was the apple of their eye and started a happy life together.
3 years later, they were ready to grow their family again and along game a 2nd daughter, Jessica, in March of 1974. They moved to a larger home in 1978 and the happy times continued.
Until the came to an end in 1980. Patti and Michael split up and divorced in 1981. Patti found a job and became a single mom. She raised her girls and found the strength to begin a whole new life.
She started going out socially and dating...something she never thought she'd ever have to do. But she made an incredible life for herself and her girls. She changed jobs a few times...always moving up to something bigger and better.
In 1990, she got a job with Ford Motor Credit and along with that came a great salary and benefits. Her girls were all grown up and were becoming strong women...just like she had taught them to be. Patti never wanted her girls to be in the position she was put into when her marriage fell apart.
Monica was now in college and Jessica a sophomore...the years were flying by. Patti had a few serious boyfriends during the years but nothing serious enough to make her want to take the leap into marriage again.
Until she met Dick Saa in the late 80's. The relationship got off to a rocky start...Patti was dating his cousin and met Dick at a party where they were both in line for the bathroom. He was in front of her and she tried her best to get him to let her go first. He refused she hated him from that moment on.
She would run into him socially for the next couple of years, always mentioning him to her 2 daughters...telling them what a jerk he was.
Until things changed. The loathing turned into respect the more Patti and Dick got to know one another. Dick was divorced, too with 2 young children...Paul and Lindsey. Their mother had remarried and moved to Georgia, taking the kids with her. Dick had been devastated when they left and he took frequent trips North to make sure he still had a presence in his son and daughter's lives.
Patti was impressed. Any man who loved his kids the way Dick did was a good man in her eyes. The respect turned into love and Patti and Dick were married in March of 1991. They shared a deep love and respect for one another...and their marriage was well balanced. They complimented each other well and were so happy together.
Together with Michael and his wife Rhonda, they saw Monica and Jessica both marry...in 1998 and 2000, respectively. And they welcomed their first grandchild, CJ (Monica's son) in June of 2000. Patti was happy...married and in love, both of her daughters married and happy, and she had a new grand-baby to spoil.
Then came cancer. Patti was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in April of 2002.
She would need all her strength for this battle. Still a Ford employee, she took advantage of all those great benefits and took a leave from work so she could focus on her treatment.
She started chemo right away. Jessica would fly from her new home in Georgia as much as she could so she could sit with Patti while she was getting her chemo treatments. And Patti did great...she responded well and after 8 rounds of chemo, she was in remission by Christmas 2002. The family celebrated the good news and Patti looked forward to getting her life back. She went back to work and everything was back to normal.
She had to leave work again and prepare for more chemo treatments...this time more aggressive. Patti was incredibly disappointed but determined to press on. She didn't want cancer to get the best of her. So she tried to fight it again.
But she didn't have the strength this time around. The treatments were harder and her body just wasn't responding like it did before. Patti had fought all her life...she had to be strong for herself, strong for her daughters, and strong for cancer...which she had already beat once. She didn't have any left for a second round.
In the Fall of 2003, Patti was declining in health. She arraigned a big Thanksgiving celebration and made sure all four of her kids were present. Jessica, Paul and Lindsey came from out of town and Monica and her family was there, too. It would be the last holiday Patti would spend with her family. Her body was so weak but her spirit was strong...she made the best of the holiday.
Jessica flew home after Thanksgiving but flew back for Patti's next doctor's appointment the following Monday. She had a feeling the news would not be good.
And it wasn't. Patti was too weak to continue chemo treatments. There was nothing else that could be done but make her comfortable. It was finally time to face the inevitable...Patti's time was limited. Jessica was determined to stay by her mother's side and took a leave from work. Her mother had been the strongest person she knew...and it was time to return the favor.
Patti was admitted to the hospital for fluids over the next few days and the local hospice had set up a mini hospital room at home for her. Dick brought Patti home for the last time that weekend and the word quickly spread. Their home was filled with family and friends over the next few days...Dick, Monica and Jessica never left her side.
On December 9, 2003 at approximately 7:45am, Patti Jane Blount Bernaldo Saa took her last breath.
Her husband, daughters and sons, grandson, family and friends all mourned the passing of an incredible woman. She lived such a full life...one filled with strength, grace, laughter and love.
Patti was incredibly special. There was never anyone like her. She touched the lives of so many and those that knew her will never forget her.
If you haven't figured it out by now, Patti was my mom.
And not a day goes by where I don't thank my lucky stars she was.
It's been 7 years now without her and I can't believe I have survived this long without her influence in my life. She was my everything...my mom, my best friend, my confidant, my secret keeper, my cheerleader. I depended on her for everything.
But I guess I did inherit a smidge of that famous strength since I have made it this long without her.
As much as I loved her, I am happy she has moved on from this world. She suffered so much in the end and I am thankful she has left that cancer filled body behind. I just wish she had lived long enough to see her kids so happy.
Monica had another baby in August of 2005...and my son was born 12 days later.
Having both her girls pregnant at the same time would have brought her so much joy.
Paul graduated from college and married his college sweetheart. Mom got to know his bride before she got sick and loved her. I think she knew they were meant for each other.
Lindsey graduated from college, too and bought her first home last year. She's studying for her PHD now. Mom would be so proud of her.
Dick has a girlfriend that makes him so happy. Sandy is perfect for him. He is living again and is a better man because of Mom's influence in his life.
We are all okay...living life and being happy.
And that's the best way to honor her memory.
Patti Jane Blount Bernaldo Saa
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Rejuvinated!
I'm home.
Well...I was home over the weekend but now I'm really back home.
Are you confused yet? Because I kinda am too.
I guess I really have 2 homes...the one I live in for about 350 days out of the year in Georgia.
And then there's the one I visit...where I spend the remaining days of the year. The one I called home for the first 24 years of my life.
Florida.
Ahhh. Just saying it brings a smile to my face.
The hubby, the kiddo and I flew down for the weekend...a quick trip to see the family and for my man to attend a football game.
And it was wonderful. I haven't had such a good time in ages.
There's something to be said with reconnecting with those you love that made you into the adult you are today. It's where you were raised...where you made all those decisions that set you on the path you walk today.
I had an amazing childhood. Yes, I was a child of divorced parents but somehow, my sister and I overcame that and our family did such a great job at making it all seem normal.
On this trip, I got to spend time with my amazing grandparents...just walking into their house makes my heart sing. I have never known a home filled with more love than theirs. My grandparents house will ALWAYS be home to me...more so than any other house I grew up in.
And we stayed with my sister's family...her boys and mine love each other so much. I wish they could play together every day.
Not to mention I'd like to play with my sister every day. She is my best friend in the world...and my soul mate. I am so glad we are so close. I can not imagine who I would be today without her influence in my life. I love her so much!
And I got to spend time with my dad and stepmom. They are so wonderful...we hung out with them Sunday night. 2 of my stepmom's kids were there, too. I so love this new family we have created. I only wish they had married earlier so I could have grown up with my new brothers and sister...they are terrific!
And my little niece Lily...oh my. What a precious little girl. She just turned one and she is the most adorable thing! She makes me want another baby BAD!
Finally, I got to spend time with my Mom's family who I rarely see anymore. Since my grandmother passed last year, I rarely see them anymore. It was great to spend time with them...and it made me feel closer to my Mom. Going home is always a little bittersweet knowing she's not there waiting for me.
But overall, it was awesome to reconnect with both sides of my family.
I am lucky to be a product of such wonderful people.
Now I am relaxed, rejuvenated, and more in touch with who I am and where I come from.
And only good things can come from that!
Have a great Tuesday!
Well...I was home over the weekend but now I'm really back home.
Are you confused yet? Because I kinda am too.
I guess I really have 2 homes...the one I live in for about 350 days out of the year in Georgia.
And then there's the one I visit...where I spend the remaining days of the year. The one I called home for the first 24 years of my life.
Florida.
Ahhh. Just saying it brings a smile to my face.
The hubby, the kiddo and I flew down for the weekend...a quick trip to see the family and for my man to attend a football game.
And it was wonderful. I haven't had such a good time in ages.
There's something to be said with reconnecting with those you love that made you into the adult you are today. It's where you were raised...where you made all those decisions that set you on the path you walk today.
I had an amazing childhood. Yes, I was a child of divorced parents but somehow, my sister and I overcame that and our family did such a great job at making it all seem normal.
On this trip, I got to spend time with my amazing grandparents...just walking into their house makes my heart sing. I have never known a home filled with more love than theirs. My grandparents house will ALWAYS be home to me...more so than any other house I grew up in.
And we stayed with my sister's family...her boys and mine love each other so much. I wish they could play together every day.
Not to mention I'd like to play with my sister every day. She is my best friend in the world...and my soul mate. I am so glad we are so close. I can not imagine who I would be today without her influence in my life. I love her so much!
And I got to spend time with my dad and stepmom. They are so wonderful...we hung out with them Sunday night. 2 of my stepmom's kids were there, too. I so love this new family we have created. I only wish they had married earlier so I could have grown up with my new brothers and sister...they are terrific!
And my little niece Lily...oh my. What a precious little girl. She just turned one and she is the most adorable thing! She makes me want another baby BAD!
Finally, I got to spend time with my Mom's family who I rarely see anymore. Since my grandmother passed last year, I rarely see them anymore. It was great to spend time with them...and it made me feel closer to my Mom. Going home is always a little bittersweet knowing she's not there waiting for me.
But overall, it was awesome to reconnect with both sides of my family.
I am lucky to be a product of such wonderful people.
Now I am relaxed, rejuvenated, and more in touch with who I am and where I come from.
And only good things can come from that!
Have a great Tuesday!
Friday, December 3, 2010
What I'm Thankful For...
Okay so I'm a week late.
Sue me.
I decided today I would post the things I'm thankful for this year. Or just today. Or this week.
Forget it. Let's make this easy. Here's what I am currently thankful for.
First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my husband, son, and self.
And throw the rest of my family in there, too. Health is the greatest gift we can hope for.
I am also thankful for my husband's job. He is the sole provider for this family so everything depends on that paycheck.
I am also thankful for that job because it means we get to fly for free to Tampa this weekend...I haven't seen my family since July and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!
I am thankful for my friends...amazing women who deal with busy careers, kids, CANCER, husbands, crazy love-lives, and more every day and yet still find time to listen, love and laugh with me. I love you all!
I am thankful for the new clothes I bought last week on Black Friday. $130.00 boots for 29 bucks? Oh yeah...I'm thankful for that!
I'm thankful for the pumpkin pie I made last week that was AMAZING...my great-grandmother's recipe. I'll even deal with the weight I gained because I ate most of it by myself.
I'm thankful that I saw no kids in flip-flops this morning while taking the kiddo to school. All have been replaced with fuzzy, warm boots. Yay!
I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be the best or the biggest house but it's mine and I love it so.
And last but not least, I'm thankful for my readers. I appreciate all of you who read my thoughts and ideas. I hope I make your day even a tiny bit brighter.
Have a great weekend!
Sue me.
I decided today I would post the things I'm thankful for this year. Or just today. Or this week.
Forget it. Let's make this easy. Here's what I am currently thankful for.
First and foremost, I am thankful for the health of my husband, son, and self.
And throw the rest of my family in there, too. Health is the greatest gift we can hope for.
I am also thankful for my husband's job. He is the sole provider for this family so everything depends on that paycheck.
I am also thankful for that job because it means we get to fly for free to Tampa this weekend...I haven't seen my family since July and I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME!
I am thankful for my friends...amazing women who deal with busy careers, kids, CANCER, husbands, crazy love-lives, and more every day and yet still find time to listen, love and laugh with me. I love you all!
I am thankful for the new clothes I bought last week on Black Friday. $130.00 boots for 29 bucks? Oh yeah...I'm thankful for that!
I'm thankful for the pumpkin pie I made last week that was AMAZING...my great-grandmother's recipe. I'll even deal with the weight I gained because I ate most of it by myself.
I'm thankful that I saw no kids in flip-flops this morning while taking the kiddo to school. All have been replaced with fuzzy, warm boots. Yay!
I am thankful for the roof over my head. It may not be the best or the biggest house but it's mine and I love it so.
And last but not least, I'm thankful for my readers. I appreciate all of you who read my thoughts and ideas. I hope I make your day even a tiny bit brighter.
Have a great weekend!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Cyber Monday!
Good day friends! Did you miss me?
I decided to take some time off and recharge the ol' batteries.
I am happy to report it worked! I am refreshed, revived and ready for the Holidays!
And the kiddo had the WHOLE week off from school last week. That kinda had something to do with the week break but whatever. I can pretend it was all for me!
What a day to come back to the blog! CYBER MONDAY!!!!
I have to be honest with you. I am not participating in today's event. The hubby doesn't get paid till tonight at Midnight. Yeah, thanks a lot Delta!
But that doesn't mean I can't pass along some of those great deals out there to YOU!
So far, the best deals I have seen out there are at Overstock.com.
Overstock is loaded with Cyber Monday deals. I saw a leather ottoman for under 100 bucks, too. With free shipping. Check out the site...no one can beat their prices.
If you are buying toys (like I am), Toysrus.com has some pretty great buys, too. If electronics are you thing this year, check out walmart.com.They have extended Cyber Monday into Cyber week. The deals on their website will be available through Friday. Thanks Walmart from those of us that don't get paid till the 30th!
They have a Kodak C143 12 MP digital camera with a 3x optical zoom, 2.7 LCD viewing screen in your choice of green or blue. They are throwing in a set of rechargable batteries, a case and a wall charger for...
69 DOLLARS!!!!
That is an INCREDIBLE buy!!! And they will ship it to your local Walmart store for FREE!
And last but not least, Target.com has a lot of items on sale BUT their big savings deal is on their shipping.
They have over 900 items on the site today that are included in a great bargain:
Buy $50.00 worth of merchandise included in the deal, and your whole order SHIPS FOR FREE!!!
I'm sure there are a TON of other Cyber Monday deals out there...this is just a few to get you started!
Have fun shopping!
I decided to take some time off and recharge the ol' batteries.
I am happy to report it worked! I am refreshed, revived and ready for the Holidays!
And the kiddo had the WHOLE week off from school last week. That kinda had something to do with the week break but whatever. I can pretend it was all for me!
What a day to come back to the blog! CYBER MONDAY!!!!
I have to be honest with you. I am not participating in today's event. The hubby doesn't get paid till tonight at Midnight. Yeah, thanks a lot Delta!
But that doesn't mean I can't pass along some of those great deals out there to YOU!
So far, the best deals I have seen out there are at Overstock.com.
Overstock is loaded with Cyber Monday deals. I saw a leather ottoman for under 100 bucks, too. With free shipping. Check out the site...no one can beat their prices.
If you are buying toys (like I am), Toysrus.com has some pretty great buys, too. If electronics are you thing this year, check out walmart.com.They have extended Cyber Monday into Cyber week. The deals on their website will be available through Friday. Thanks Walmart from those of us that don't get paid till the 30th!
They have a Kodak C143 12 MP digital camera with a 3x optical zoom, 2.7 LCD viewing screen in your choice of green or blue. They are throwing in a set of rechargable batteries, a case and a wall charger for...
69 DOLLARS!!!!
That is an INCREDIBLE buy!!! And they will ship it to your local Walmart store for FREE!
And last but not least, Target.com has a lot of items on sale BUT their big savings deal is on their shipping.
They have over 900 items on the site today that are included in a great bargain:
Buy $50.00 worth of merchandise included in the deal, and your whole order SHIPS FOR FREE!!!
I'm sure there are a TON of other Cyber Monday deals out there...this is just a few to get you started!
Have fun shopping!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Blog Update: My Loot!
The consignment shopping experience was a hit!
I am happy to say my experience yesterday at Kid 2 Kid was awesome!
Here's what I sold:
1 Eddie Bauer Highchair in almost perfect condition
6 shirts...mostly long sleeve, button downs
6 pants...some jeans, some khaki, and 2 pair of cords
2 pair of shoes
1 sweater
2 puffy vest
1 jacket
My grand total for all this goodness was $53.00! ($63 if I had taken the store credit which I did not)
I decided to shop around a bit...the Kiddo needed a few items so I checked out the size 4 and 5 clothes.
And I must admit...they had some really nice stuff. Although not AS nice as I would have expected. Lots of the shirts had what I thought was too much wear...or had shrunk or faded. Which is funny because there were a few nice shirts of mine they rejected for that very reason.
But overall, I was pleased with what they had to offer. I wish they had more shoes in my son's size but I can get them elsewhere.
So what did I end up purchasing?
2 shirts (one from Gymboree and in PERFECT condition)I am happy to say my experience yesterday at Kid 2 Kid was awesome!
Here's what I sold:
1 Eddie Bauer Highchair in almost perfect condition
6 shirts...mostly long sleeve, button downs
6 pants...some jeans, some khaki, and 2 pair of cords
2 pair of shoes
1 sweater
2 puffy vest
1 jacket
My grand total for all this goodness was $53.00! ($63 if I had taken the store credit which I did not)
I decided to shop around a bit...the Kiddo needed a few items so I checked out the size 4 and 5 clothes.
And I must admit...they had some really nice stuff. Although not AS nice as I would have expected. Lots of the shirts had what I thought was too much wear...or had shrunk or faded. Which is funny because there were a few nice shirts of mine they rejected for that very reason.
But overall, I was pleased with what they had to offer. I wish they had more shoes in my son's size but I can get them elsewhere.
So what did I end up purchasing?
1 pair of black cords (perfect for Christmas photos)
3 pair of athletic pants (great for school or lounging around the house)
And my grand total for 6 items....$23.00!!!
That was truly the best part. Just the athletic pants alone at the Children's Place would have set me back $25.00 for just 2 pair!
Overall, I had a great experience. The staff was helpful, the selection was plentiful, and I was grateful! I'll definitely do it again...maybe once more before Christmas...
I need to find a sweater to match those cute black cords....
Happy Tuesday!
Monday, November 15, 2010
You Learn Something New Everyday
My little family was invited to a friend's house on Saturday to watch some football, eat, and just hang out. Oh and drink...beer and margaritas were involved.
The margaritas were fantastic...best I've ever had.
But that's not what this blog is about.
2 of the moms at the party started talking about a children's consignment shop here in my little town called Kid 2 Kid. Now I have driven past this store probably a thousand times and seen nice stuff in the window...
And never once went in.
Why? I wish I knew. They started telling me how great this store is...that they go in with just 10 bucks and walk out with 3 sweaters AND a pair of shoes.
I almost fainted right then and there. Good quality kids clothes for pennies?
Seriously...how did I not know about this? My son is 5...I missed out on 5 years of saving who knows how much money.
Needless to say, I am spending my day going through all the kiddo's clothes...he just jumped up another size so we have a truckload of stuff that no longer fits.
And I will be heading up to Kid 2 Kid this week with my loot...ready to go on a shopping frenzy!
Oh and they also take baby items such as strollers, playpens, bouncy seats, high chairs...they must be in near perfect condition and not under recall. I have an Eddie Bauer highchair that's collecting dust downstairs...I'm taking that with me, too.
Kid 2 Kid is a franchise store so you may have on in your area...here's the website if you want to check it out.
http://www.kidtokid.com/
I'll update you later this week with how I made out. I'm so excited!
Have a great week everyone!
The margaritas were fantastic...best I've ever had.
But that's not what this blog is about.
2 of the moms at the party started talking about a children's consignment shop here in my little town called Kid 2 Kid. Now I have driven past this store probably a thousand times and seen nice stuff in the window...
And never once went in.
Why? I wish I knew. They started telling me how great this store is...that they go in with just 10 bucks and walk out with 3 sweaters AND a pair of shoes.
I almost fainted right then and there. Good quality kids clothes for pennies?
Seriously...how did I not know about this? My son is 5...I missed out on 5 years of saving who knows how much money.
Needless to say, I am spending my day going through all the kiddo's clothes...he just jumped up another size so we have a truckload of stuff that no longer fits.
And I will be heading up to Kid 2 Kid this week with my loot...ready to go on a shopping frenzy!
Oh and they also take baby items such as strollers, playpens, bouncy seats, high chairs...they must be in near perfect condition and not under recall. I have an Eddie Bauer highchair that's collecting dust downstairs...I'm taking that with me, too.
Kid 2 Kid is a franchise store so you may have on in your area...here's the website if you want to check it out.
http://www.kidtokid.com/
I'll update you later this week with how I made out. I'm so excited!
Have a great week everyone!
Friday, November 12, 2010
My Super Easy Go-To Recipe
It's Friday...
You're tired...
It's been a long week and all you want to do it relax...
Cooking dinner is the last thing you feel like doing...
So what do you do? Make a big meal and curse the whole time?
Or throw a frozen pizza in the oven and then curse when you have heartburn?
Or take everyone out to dinner, wait in line, pay out the nose...and then curse on the way home for not saving your money for Christmas gifts?
Well I have your solution. Easy Peasy Homemade Chicken Strips!
These are the easiest chicken strips I have ever made...and they taste delicious! My 5 year old begs for more and eats them like he's for a hollow leg...
And the best part is they are pretty healthy, too.
So how do you make these crowd pleasing chicken strips?
Here's the recipe.
2 to 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or more if you want to feed an army...I use 2 and it's plenty for my family of 3)
1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs (You can use regular breadcrumbs but Panko is better!)
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized zip-lock bag and shake to combine.
Cut the chicken breast into strips and place on plate. Pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over them, coating all strips. (This is what makes the breading stick to make sure they are coated!)
Take one or two strips at a time and put them into the zip-lock bag, coating them with the mixture. Once coated, place them on a greased baking sheet. (I spray mine with a vegetable spray) Do the same with the remaining strips. You may not use all the mixture but you will use most.
Put the strips in a 400 degree oven and after 10 minutes, take them out and flip them over so both sides can brown up.
After they have been flipped, put them back in the oven and let them bake for an additional 5 minutes. (You can also put them in the broiler for a few minutes after than for additional browning but honestly, I don't think you'll need to)
You can also make a few easy dips for these strips...my favorite is an easy honey mustard. 2 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp mustard...stir them together and you're done.
Add some baked Ore-Ida fries on the side and you have yourself an easy, healthy dinner that your whole family will love!
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
You're tired...
It's been a long week and all you want to do it relax...
Cooking dinner is the last thing you feel like doing...
So what do you do? Make a big meal and curse the whole time?
Or throw a frozen pizza in the oven and then curse when you have heartburn?
Or take everyone out to dinner, wait in line, pay out the nose...and then curse on the way home for not saving your money for Christmas gifts?
Well I have your solution. Easy Peasy Homemade Chicken Strips!
These are the easiest chicken strips I have ever made...and they taste delicious! My 5 year old begs for more and eats them like he's for a hollow leg...
And the best part is they are pretty healthy, too.
So how do you make these crowd pleasing chicken strips?
Here's the recipe.
2 to 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or more if you want to feed an army...I use 2 and it's plenty for my family of 3)
1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs (You can use regular breadcrumbs but Panko is better!)
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized zip-lock bag and shake to combine.
Cut the chicken breast into strips and place on plate. Pour 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over them, coating all strips. (This is what makes the breading stick to make sure they are coated!)
Take one or two strips at a time and put them into the zip-lock bag, coating them with the mixture. Once coated, place them on a greased baking sheet. (I spray mine with a vegetable spray) Do the same with the remaining strips. You may not use all the mixture but you will use most.
Put the strips in a 400 degree oven and after 10 minutes, take them out and flip them over so both sides can brown up.
After they have been flipped, put them back in the oven and let them bake for an additional 5 minutes. (You can also put them in the broiler for a few minutes after than for additional browning but honestly, I don't think you'll need to)
You can also make a few easy dips for these strips...my favorite is an easy honey mustard. 2 tbsp honey and 2 tbsp mustard...stir them together and you're done.
Add some baked Ore-Ida fries on the side and you have yourself an easy, healthy dinner that your whole family will love!
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Countdown Begins
It's that time of year again....
It's like a monster looming just over the horizon...
And you aren't prepared...you never are...
Then all of a sudden, it's here!
THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON!!!!
AHHHHHH!!!!! EVERYBODY RUN TO THE MALL!!!!
At least that's how I feel every year....and I absolutely despise it.
Let me say this: If I had a huge budget and could spend what I wanted this would not be a issue. I would wait till the first weekend in December and shop at my leisure...without a care in the world for bargains, sales or deals.
But that's not me. My budget is tight. So I've got to scour the deals out there.
And incredible holiday shopping deals can be found on only one day:
BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!!!
Doesn't it just sound scary?
Black Friday...a psycho escapes from prison and he's hunting people down...
Only on Black Friday! Buwwwhhhaaaa!
(insert scary laugh here)
And in a way I guess that's kinda true...only the psycho escaped from prison is me and I am hunting down the perfect deal.
If the thought of waking up at 3am to go shopping is a little strange to you, well I guess it is to me too. But I have done it every year for the past 5 or 6 years.
And Hubby comes with me. Yup. I married a man that will sit outside in the freezing cold and wait for a store to open.
But there has to be an electronics store involved. Even he has his requirements.
And we always get what we came for....and we're usually finished with our Christmas shopping by noon. That's my favorite part. Because then I get to relax and enjoy the rest of the season with no pressure or stress.
It's a wonderful life...pun intended!
So I have already been checking out the 2010 Black Friday ads online to see what's being offered this year. Not every retailer has released their deals yet but a few have so I'm linking you to a site that will post them all.
Here is it...
http://www.blackfriday2010.com/
And whether you're a 4am shopper or not, I wish you a happy shopping season.
I'll be posting some cute gift ideas over the next few weeks so watch for them.
Have a great Thursday!
It's like a monster looming just over the horizon...
And you aren't prepared...you never are...
Then all of a sudden, it's here!
THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON!!!!
AHHHHHH!!!!! EVERYBODY RUN TO THE MALL!!!!
At least that's how I feel every year....and I absolutely despise it.
Let me say this: If I had a huge budget and could spend what I wanted this would not be a issue. I would wait till the first weekend in December and shop at my leisure...without a care in the world for bargains, sales or deals.
But that's not me. My budget is tight. So I've got to scour the deals out there.
And incredible holiday shopping deals can be found on only one day:
BLACK FRIDAY!!!!!!!
Doesn't it just sound scary?
Black Friday...a psycho escapes from prison and he's hunting people down...
Only on Black Friday! Buwwwhhhaaaa!
(insert scary laugh here)
And in a way I guess that's kinda true...only the psycho escaped from prison is me and I am hunting down the perfect deal.
If the thought of waking up at 3am to go shopping is a little strange to you, well I guess it is to me too. But I have done it every year for the past 5 or 6 years.
And Hubby comes with me. Yup. I married a man that will sit outside in the freezing cold and wait for a store to open.
But there has to be an electronics store involved. Even he has his requirements.
And we always get what we came for....and we're usually finished with our Christmas shopping by noon. That's my favorite part. Because then I get to relax and enjoy the rest of the season with no pressure or stress.
It's a wonderful life...pun intended!
So I have already been checking out the 2010 Black Friday ads online to see what's being offered this year. Not every retailer has released their deals yet but a few have so I'm linking you to a site that will post them all.
Here is it...
http://www.blackfriday2010.com/
And whether you're a 4am shopper or not, I wish you a happy shopping season.
I'll be posting some cute gift ideas over the next few weeks so watch for them.
Have a great Thursday!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Another Angel In Heaven
Have you gone years without seeing someone...
Someone who was an important person in your life at one time...
And then you find out that person has passed away...
And your present life sort of comes to a screeching halt...
And you're right back in the past...
All the memories come flooding back...
And you just break down and cry your eyes out?
It happened to me yesterday.
My best friend in grade school's mother passed away Sunday morning.
I found out through a mutual friend on Facebook late that night and then had it confirmed by my old friend on her Facebook page the next morning.
And in a split second, I was back in time, sitting in her bedroom talking about boys...
And her mom puts on a record...yes, a record...on the stereo. (I'm a child of the 80's...what can I say?)
She comes into my friend's room and tells us to come and listen to the new album she just bought. So we do and she puts it on...
The room fills with the sound of the Miami Sound Machine and she starts to dance all around the house.
Before we know it, my friend and I are dancing with her.
She was such a infectious person. I don't think I have ever met someone who at her age, was so youthful and fun-loving. She was like one of the kids and loved us all as her own.
This picture is from our 8th grand graduation party. She threw my friend a party...and included me and another friend. She wanted it to be for the 3 of us...her daughter and her 2 best friends. We had the best time...it was an amazing night.
My preteen years are filled with memories of her....she threw parties thrown for every reason imaginable. Birthdays? For sure. Christmas AND New Year's? Yup. Halloween? Oh yes...biggest of the year.
I got my first real kiss outside my friend's house at a Christmas party. If hadn't been for her mother throwing that party, I would have never had that moment with Rene Escobio. Gosh...what memories!
But her mother was so much more than a great party thrower.
She was generous and kind...always there for anything we needed.
And most importantly, she was her daughter's best friend. I don't think I have seen a mother and daughter as close. My mom was MY best friend and I loved her with every fiber in my being. And I still think their relationship was the closer than our was.
Which is why losing her is going to be so hard. She meant so much to so many...but to my old friend especially. My heart breaks when I think of what she's going through right now.
So I ask...if you are a faithful person and pray...
Please remember my friend, Raelisa Torres French.
Pray for her and her family as they deal with this tragic loss.
I know first hand how terrible it is to lose your mother. And I hate that Maria's gone.
But she is still with us and always will be.
And Raelisa now has one very special angel watching over her forever.
RIP Maria Torres...You were loved by so many and will be missed by us all.
Someone who was an important person in your life at one time...
And then you find out that person has passed away...
And your present life sort of comes to a screeching halt...
And you're right back in the past...
All the memories come flooding back...
And you just break down and cry your eyes out?
It happened to me yesterday.
My best friend in grade school's mother passed away Sunday morning.
I found out through a mutual friend on Facebook late that night and then had it confirmed by my old friend on her Facebook page the next morning.
And in a split second, I was back in time, sitting in her bedroom talking about boys...
And her mom puts on a record...yes, a record...on the stereo. (I'm a child of the 80's...what can I say?)
She comes into my friend's room and tells us to come and listen to the new album she just bought. So we do and she puts it on...
The room fills with the sound of the Miami Sound Machine and she starts to dance all around the house.
Before we know it, my friend and I are dancing with her.
She was such a infectious person. I don't think I have ever met someone who at her age, was so youthful and fun-loving. She was like one of the kids and loved us all as her own.
My preteen years are filled with memories of her....she threw parties thrown for every reason imaginable. Birthdays? For sure. Christmas AND New Year's? Yup. Halloween? Oh yes...biggest of the year.
I got my first real kiss outside my friend's house at a Christmas party. If hadn't been for her mother throwing that party, I would have never had that moment with Rene Escobio. Gosh...what memories!
But her mother was so much more than a great party thrower.
She was generous and kind...always there for anything we needed.
And most importantly, she was her daughter's best friend. I don't think I have seen a mother and daughter as close. My mom was MY best friend and I loved her with every fiber in my being. And I still think their relationship was the closer than our was.
Which is why losing her is going to be so hard. She meant so much to so many...but to my old friend especially. My heart breaks when I think of what she's going through right now.
So I ask...if you are a faithful person and pray...
Please remember my friend, Raelisa Torres French.
Pray for her and her family as they deal with this tragic loss.
I know first hand how terrible it is to lose your mother. And I hate that Maria's gone.
But she is still with us and always will be.
And Raelisa now has one very special angel watching over her forever.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Uggs...Fuggs
It's the time of year again...
The temperatures dip into the 30's and 40's and we dive for our warm Winter gear...
And everywhere you look, you see these...
Yup...for it's UGG season once again.
Don't get me wrong. I like them. I actually have 2 pairs.
So what if they are both knock off's...they look somewhat cute with a pair of jeans and they do keep your feet warm...
If you live in the North Pole.
I'm a very warm nature d person. I hate to be hot and sweaty. The only time I'm okay with it is if there is a body of water nearby and I'm in a swimsuit.
So it goes without saying I'm not one of those people that piles on the layers when the temperature drops below 50 degrees.
But where I live there are a couple of weeks out of the year that require some serious bundling...and on those days, I break out my FUGGS.
And what is a FUGG exactly? Why a Fake pair of UGGS of course!
Like this morning: It was a balmy 34 degrees out when I took the Kiddo to school.
But even in that kind of weather, I can't wear them with socks. My feet would sweat like a hooker at a church picnic. Since I don't like to be hot AT ALL, this is a no-go for me.
Now don't get me wrong...I love the real UGGS.
But what really gets me about them is the price.
Can someone tell me why they cost an arm and a leg? Is it because they are imported from Australia? Or do they use a certain type of suede for the outside or some super fancy fill for the inside? Yes, the real ones do look nicer than the fake ones close up but who is really going to be on their knees checking out your feet? If you glance down at them, they don't look all that different.
Let me wrap this up by saying this. Would I ever buy a real pair of UGGS?
Sure. If I won the lotto or moved to a colder climate, I'd buy them for sure.
But for a single income family living in the North Georgia 'burbs...
My FUGGS suit me just fine.
The temperatures dip into the 30's and 40's and we dive for our warm Winter gear...
And everywhere you look, you see these...
Yup...for it's UGG season once again.
Don't get me wrong. I like them. I actually have 2 pairs.
So what if they are both knock off's...they look somewhat cute with a pair of jeans and they do keep your feet warm...
If you live in the North Pole.
I'm a very warm nature d person. I hate to be hot and sweaty. The only time I'm okay with it is if there is a body of water nearby and I'm in a swimsuit.
So it goes without saying I'm not one of those people that piles on the layers when the temperature drops below 50 degrees.
But where I live there are a couple of weeks out of the year that require some serious bundling...and on those days, I break out my FUGGS.
And what is a FUGG exactly? Why a Fake pair of UGGS of course!
Like this morning: It was a balmy 34 degrees out when I took the Kiddo to school.
But even in that kind of weather, I can't wear them with socks. My feet would sweat like a hooker at a church picnic. Since I don't like to be hot AT ALL, this is a no-go for me.
Now don't get me wrong...I love the real UGGS.
But what really gets me about them is the price.
Can someone tell me why they cost an arm and a leg? Is it because they are imported from Australia? Or do they use a certain type of suede for the outside or some super fancy fill for the inside? Yes, the real ones do look nicer than the fake ones close up but who is really going to be on their knees checking out your feet? If you glance down at them, they don't look all that different.
Let me wrap this up by saying this. Would I ever buy a real pair of UGGS?
Sure. If I won the lotto or moved to a colder climate, I'd buy them for sure.
But for a single income family living in the North Georgia 'burbs...
My FUGGS suit me just fine.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Rings Come Off Tomorrow!
It's finally here. The weekend I wait all year for.
Sunday, November 7, 2010...Game 1.
Bucs versus Falcons.
Oh yeah baby!
First, I need to state the obvious...I love NFL Football. More specifically, my home team...The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I grew up with the old orange and white pom-poms hanging in my bedroom.
I even had a Ricky Bell jersey.
Who's Ricky Bell you ask? Just one of our best running backs back in the day. And for those of you that are football illiterate, a running back is the guy that runs the ball after the quarterback has handed it off.
If you don't know what a quarterback is, you should probably stop reading this blog. You might not get this one.
Anyway, I have been a Bucs fan my whole life...even when they were awful.
And they were awful for a LONG time. Decades of pure awfulness.
And then they changed the uniforms in the late 90's and they started to win.
Including the Super Bowl back in 2003.
That was an amazing year. I'd love to see them do it again in my lifetime.
When I moved to Georgia back in 97, my love for all things Bucs came with me.
And then I met my husband....a die hard Atlanta Falcons fan.
It was a match made in heaven...even though we didn't love the same team, we loved the same sport. We went to games and even became Falcon season ticket holders.
At our very first Bucs vs. Falcons game in Atlanta, you can imagine the looks we got as we walked to the Georgia Dome hand in hand, each wearing the ememy's jersey!
And in 2003, the NFL realigned the divisions and created the NFC South...
Putting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons in the same division.
Which means we play each other 2 times a season.
So now twice a year, Hubby and I are enemies. Foes of the gridiron.
We joke that on those 2 Sundays, the wedding rings come off.
We are not husband and wife.
We are a Buccaneer and a Falcon. And we both want to win.
The really great thing is we usually get to go to both games.Since my family lives in Tampa (and my step-dad, sister and best friend are or have been season ticket holders) we go with them.
In 2005 when our son came along, another layer of the rivalry came into play...
Which team would the Kiddo support? He had plenty of gear for both teams.
So made a compromise. If the game was in Atlanta, he's wear his Falcons outfit.
And if the game was in Tampa, he'd wear the Buccaneer gear.
He looks so much happier when he's supporting Mommy's team...
When we moved into our home, we started inviting my family up for the games and it was great to have a houseful of Bucs fans. We would tailgate and truly make it an all day event.
So tomorrow is the first game...in Atlanta. And it's a biggie...we are tied for first place right now and both teams are playing great football.
And I'll be there in my Buccaneer gear...wearing it with pride. I'll take all the jeering with a grain of salt. It's all in good fun.
After all, you can take the Buccaneer girl out of Tampa...
But you can't take the Buccaneer out of the girl.
Go Bucs!
Sunday, November 7, 2010...Game 1.
Bucs versus Falcons.
Oh yeah baby!
First, I need to state the obvious...I love NFL Football. More specifically, my home team...The Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I grew up with the old orange and white pom-poms hanging in my bedroom.
I even had a Ricky Bell jersey.
Who's Ricky Bell you ask? Just one of our best running backs back in the day. And for those of you that are football illiterate, a running back is the guy that runs the ball after the quarterback has handed it off.
If you don't know what a quarterback is, you should probably stop reading this blog. You might not get this one.
Anyway, I have been a Bucs fan my whole life...even when they were awful.
And they were awful for a LONG time. Decades of pure awfulness.
And then they changed the uniforms in the late 90's and they started to win.
Including the Super Bowl back in 2003.
That was an amazing year. I'd love to see them do it again in my lifetime.
When I moved to Georgia back in 97, my love for all things Bucs came with me.
And then I met my husband....a die hard Atlanta Falcons fan.
It was a match made in heaven...even though we didn't love the same team, we loved the same sport. We went to games and even became Falcon season ticket holders.
At our very first Bucs vs. Falcons game in Atlanta, you can imagine the looks we got as we walked to the Georgia Dome hand in hand, each wearing the ememy's jersey!
And in 2003, the NFL realigned the divisions and created the NFC South...
Putting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons in the same division.
Which means we play each other 2 times a season.
So now twice a year, Hubby and I are enemies. Foes of the gridiron.
We joke that on those 2 Sundays, the wedding rings come off.
We are not husband and wife.
We are a Buccaneer and a Falcon. And we both want to win.
The really great thing is we usually get to go to both games.Since my family lives in Tampa (and my step-dad, sister and best friend are or have been season ticket holders) we go with them.
In 2005 when our son came along, another layer of the rivalry came into play...
Which team would the Kiddo support? He had plenty of gear for both teams.
So made a compromise. If the game was in Atlanta, he's wear his Falcons outfit.
And if the game was in Tampa, he'd wear the Buccaneer gear.
He looks so much happier when he's supporting Mommy's team...
When we moved into our home, we started inviting my family up for the games and it was great to have a houseful of Bucs fans. We would tailgate and truly make it an all day event.
So tomorrow is the first game...in Atlanta. And it's a biggie...we are tied for first place right now and both teams are playing great football.
And I'll be there in my Buccaneer gear...wearing it with pride. I'll take all the jeering with a grain of salt. It's all in good fun.
After all, you can take the Buccaneer girl out of Tampa...
But you can't take the Buccaneer out of the girl.
Go Bucs!
Friday, November 5, 2010
I need to vent a little bit...
Today's topic is something that has been a thorn in my side since moving to Georgia over 13 years ago.
The lack of reflectors on Georgia roads.
I know that sounds totally silly but let me explain.
Road reflectors.
They are so small, so insignificant.
But they will save your life if you are driving on a wet, country road late at night.
I grew up in Tampa. Just outside the city limits so lets just say I'm not used to rural driving conditions. All the streets I drove back home were wide, well lit and usually populated with other cars.
And the major streets all had reflectors everywhere. Seeing the road was NEVER an issue. Plus there are no hills and for the most part no curved roads there.
Which is the exact opposite of North Georgia roads.
When I first moved to the big city in 1997, I was shocked how few roads had reflectors. Even big streets...Peachtree Street for example.
Everyone knows about Peachtree Street. It's like Atlanta's major street, running from Downtown to Buckhead.
And it has no reflectors.
6 lanes once you get to the Midtown area (3 in each direction), curving all over the place, tons of traffic, and when it's wet and dark, you can't see where the hell you're going.
And don't get me started on the side streets. I can't tell you how many times I almost ran off Peachtree Battle (yes, yet another Peachtree in Atlanta) at night when I first moved there.
Now I live in the suburbs and unfortunately it's no better out here.
The road I take to get my kiddo to school is narrow and curvy...
And it doesn't have a single reflector anywhere.
Tuesday morning, I took the kiddo to school like normal...
It was pitch black dark and raining. I can't tell you how many times people were about to run off the road cause no one could see where the road was!
I just don't get this. Are reflectors that expensive? Can no city budget support putting one of these little babies down about every 20 feet or so? I haven't figured out why Georgians think they aren't important.
While I was researching for this, I stumbled upon this picture:
This is such a beautiful sight...I almost cheered out loud when I saw this.
It seems some genius has invented solar reflectors. They have LED lights so they are super bright and run off a tiny super battery.
Which kinda made me a little sad. If my cheap county can't swing for the el cheapo reflectors, they sure as heck aren't going to pay for something that comes with a battery that will eventually have to be replaced.
So until someone deems it necessary, I will drive my curvy country roads with caution.
And if you are stuck behind me, sorry...you just have to deal with the city girl trying to not run off the road!
Have a great weekend!
The lack of reflectors on Georgia roads.
I know that sounds totally silly but let me explain.
Road reflectors.
They are so small, so insignificant.
But they will save your life if you are driving on a wet, country road late at night.
I grew up in Tampa. Just outside the city limits so lets just say I'm not used to rural driving conditions. All the streets I drove back home were wide, well lit and usually populated with other cars.
And the major streets all had reflectors everywhere. Seeing the road was NEVER an issue. Plus there are no hills and for the most part no curved roads there.
Which is the exact opposite of North Georgia roads.
When I first moved to the big city in 1997, I was shocked how few roads had reflectors. Even big streets...Peachtree Street for example.
Everyone knows about Peachtree Street. It's like Atlanta's major street, running from Downtown to Buckhead.
And it has no reflectors.
6 lanes once you get to the Midtown area (3 in each direction), curving all over the place, tons of traffic, and when it's wet and dark, you can't see where the hell you're going.
And don't get me started on the side streets. I can't tell you how many times I almost ran off Peachtree Battle (yes, yet another Peachtree in Atlanta) at night when I first moved there.
Now I live in the suburbs and unfortunately it's no better out here.
The road I take to get my kiddo to school is narrow and curvy...
And it doesn't have a single reflector anywhere.
Tuesday morning, I took the kiddo to school like normal...
It was pitch black dark and raining. I can't tell you how many times people were about to run off the road cause no one could see where the road was!
I just don't get this. Are reflectors that expensive? Can no city budget support putting one of these little babies down about every 20 feet or so? I haven't figured out why Georgians think they aren't important.
While I was researching for this, I stumbled upon this picture:
It seems some genius has invented solar reflectors. They have LED lights so they are super bright and run off a tiny super battery.
Which kinda made me a little sad. If my cheap county can't swing for the el cheapo reflectors, they sure as heck aren't going to pay for something that comes with a battery that will eventually have to be replaced.
So until someone deems it necessary, I will drive my curvy country roads with caution.
And if you are stuck behind me, sorry...you just have to deal with the city girl trying to not run off the road!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
When life gets in the way...
I have been a bad blogger.
I didn't post yesterday. Dang! Shoot! Crud!
So today I was going to get back on the stick...and I had my blog topic all lined up.
And then I got a phone call from my son's school nurse.
Don't those phone calls make your heart stop for just a split second? I see his elementary school name on the caller ID and I have a mini freak-out.
It seems my little boy has a bite on his back. It's big and red, it's itching and it's NASTY.
The nurse seems to think it's a spider bite so I call his doctor and they want to see him immediately. We have an appointment this morning.
So my blog topic is put off at least one more day...
Unless something happens tomorrow!
Hope your week has been great so far!
I didn't post yesterday. Dang! Shoot! Crud!
So today I was going to get back on the stick...and I had my blog topic all lined up.
And then I got a phone call from my son's school nurse.
Don't those phone calls make your heart stop for just a split second? I see his elementary school name on the caller ID and I have a mini freak-out.
It seems my little boy has a bite on his back. It's big and red, it's itching and it's NASTY.
The nurse seems to think it's a spider bite so I call his doctor and they want to see him immediately. We have an appointment this morning.
So my blog topic is put off at least one more day...
Unless something happens tomorrow!
Hope your week has been great so far!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Block the Vote!
It's Tuesday, November 2, 2010...
And for those of you that have been living under a rock for the past few months, it's ELECTION DAY in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Yes, we are all no doubt sick of the ads, the phone calls, the commercials...
But it still doesn't take away from the fact that today is an important day.
The right to vote is something we should never take for granted...especially if you're a woman. In fact, we've only had this right for less than 100 years.
If you want to blow your mind, click this link and look at the time line of international woman's suffrage...it's kinda scary this right is so new for so many women around the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage
So do your duty as an American and VOTE VOTE VOTE!
So now that my public service announcement is out of the way, I'd like to tell you what else I am celebrating today.
Today is my 2 year Blockversary.
And what is a Blockversary you ask? Today has been 2 years since my very first New Kids on the Block reunion show, of course!
I'm a Blockhead. There. I said it. I'm a 36 year old woman and I still love Jordan, Jon, Joe, Danny, and Donnie.
I was a huge fan 20 years ago when I was a 16 year old kid, buying albums, going to concerts and wallpapering my room with posters...I shared a room with my sister back then and we divided the walls up like this:
Wall 1-Jordan (my favorite...back then and today too)
Wall 2-Donnie (my sister's favorite)
and walls 3 and 4-group pics
The crazy thing is 20 years later, they look better than they did back then.
Why is it men age so well? It's just not fair.
When they announced the reunion tour, my sister and I were thrilled. It was like we were sixteen and twenty all over again. They announced a concert in Tampa and we bought our tickets as soon as they went on sale.
Just like the old days....floor seats. With our two high school best friends going with us.
We had an incredible time. The guys were better entertainers now then they were then.
And something amazing happened. All those screaming little girls grew up. And they were ready to profess their love for the New Kids...something they had been teased and ridiculed for back in the day. These women didn't care what people thought about them anymore. And the community on the NKOTB.com website took off.
I frequented the site at first to look at concert photos. While I did have floor seats, they weren't very good so I admired shots from those towards the front. And then I found a thread called Fashion Disasters.
It was full of snarky women who could laugh at both their own bad 80's fashion and the guys....after all, the New Kids weren't exactly the best dressers the first time around!
These women quickly became my friends and we began to meet up all across the country for New Kids concerts. We formed incredible friendships because of our mutual affection for 5 men from Boston.
Some of the women I met on these boards have become my best friends and I love them dearly. So today I'm actually celebrating the anniversary of what brought me to a new place in my life. Surrounded by friends that mean the world to me.
The November 2 Tampa concert was the first of many. I saw the New Kids on the Block in Denver, Orlando (where me and my sister went backstage and FINALLY met the guys!), Portland Maine, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. (Remember my husband works for an airline so I fly for free...we are not rich by any means!)
I treasure these memories...how many of us can say we got to relive our teenage years well into our thirties?
Have a great Tuesday!
And for those of you that have been living under a rock for the past few months, it's ELECTION DAY in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Yes, we are all no doubt sick of the ads, the phone calls, the commercials...
But it still doesn't take away from the fact that today is an important day.
The right to vote is something we should never take for granted...especially if you're a woman. In fact, we've only had this right for less than 100 years.
If you want to blow your mind, click this link and look at the time line of international woman's suffrage...it's kinda scary this right is so new for so many women around the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage
So do your duty as an American and VOTE VOTE VOTE!
So now that my public service announcement is out of the way, I'd like to tell you what else I am celebrating today.
Today is my 2 year Blockversary.
And what is a Blockversary you ask? Today has been 2 years since my very first New Kids on the Block reunion show, of course!
I'm a Blockhead. There. I said it. I'm a 36 year old woman and I still love Jordan, Jon, Joe, Danny, and Donnie.
I was a huge fan 20 years ago when I was a 16 year old kid, buying albums, going to concerts and wallpapering my room with posters...I shared a room with my sister back then and we divided the walls up like this:
Wall 1-Jordan (my favorite...back then and today too)
Wall 2-Donnie (my sister's favorite)
and walls 3 and 4-group pics
The crazy thing is 20 years later, they look better than they did back then.
Why is it men age so well? It's just not fair.
When they announced the reunion tour, my sister and I were thrilled. It was like we were sixteen and twenty all over again. They announced a concert in Tampa and we bought our tickets as soon as they went on sale.
Just like the old days....floor seats. With our two high school best friends going with us.
We had an incredible time. The guys were better entertainers now then they were then.
And something amazing happened. All those screaming little girls grew up. And they were ready to profess their love for the New Kids...something they had been teased and ridiculed for back in the day. These women didn't care what people thought about them anymore. And the community on the NKOTB.com website took off.
I frequented the site at first to look at concert photos. While I did have floor seats, they weren't very good so I admired shots from those towards the front. And then I found a thread called Fashion Disasters.
It was full of snarky women who could laugh at both their own bad 80's fashion and the guys....after all, the New Kids weren't exactly the best dressers the first time around!
These women quickly became my friends and we began to meet up all across the country for New Kids concerts. We formed incredible friendships because of our mutual affection for 5 men from Boston.
Some of the women I met on these boards have become my best friends and I love them dearly. So today I'm actually celebrating the anniversary of what brought me to a new place in my life. Surrounded by friends that mean the world to me.
The November 2 Tampa concert was the first of many. I saw the New Kids on the Block in Denver, Orlando (where me and my sister went backstage and FINALLY met the guys!), Portland Maine, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. (Remember my husband works for an airline so I fly for free...we are not rich by any means!)
I treasure these memories...how many of us can say we got to relive our teenage years well into our thirties?
Have a great Tuesday!
Monday, November 1, 2010
What to Expect When You Wear a Box for Halloween...
Halloween 2010 is in the books.
And after last night, I think it moved into first place in my kiddo's holiday list.
He tricked. He treated. He ate candy.
He had an absolute blast.
I, however, realized a costume made from a box is a rather big pain in the butt.
One of our local churches has a Trunk or Treat festival which we went to last night.
I tried to put the box on my son and at first he wasn't having it.
All the construction I did to put this thing together and he wasn't going to wear it?
I. Don't. Think. So.
He wore it...and he tried to take it off every 5 minutes.
So on we went to my neighborhood for some good ol' fashioned trick or treating.
We dropped the rear seat in the van and left the hatch up so we could jump in and out. This was Hubby's strategy, allowing us to hit the maximum number of houses possible...and it worked like a charm!
But every time we got out, he had to put his costume on.
And every time we got back in, he had to take it off.
And of course, with all this putting on and taking off, the box started losing pieces. We lost the tail, one wing support, and back top flap became unglued.
But what do you expect from a cardboard costume?
As you can imagine, wearing this costume quickly became a large pain in the posterior. After about 10 houses, he wasn't havin' it anymore. He trick or treated in his hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, and sneakers for the rest of the night.
And we changed his costume from an airplane to a punk kid...
or a boxer/runner...
Or Justin Bieber.
But the bottom line is he had a great time and while the costume was a hit when he wore it, it's the last time I'll made a cardboard box into an airplane.
Hope your Halloween was wonderful! Have a great week!
And after last night, I think it moved into first place in my kiddo's holiday list.
He tricked. He treated. He ate candy.
He had an absolute blast.
One of our local churches has a Trunk or Treat festival which we went to last night.
I tried to put the box on my son and at first he wasn't having it.
All the construction I did to put this thing together and he wasn't going to wear it?
I. Don't. Think. So.
He wore it...and he tried to take it off every 5 minutes.
So on we went to my neighborhood for some good ol' fashioned trick or treating.
We dropped the rear seat in the van and left the hatch up so we could jump in and out. This was Hubby's strategy, allowing us to hit the maximum number of houses possible...and it worked like a charm!
But every time we got out, he had to put his costume on.
And every time we got back in, he had to take it off.
And of course, with all this putting on and taking off, the box started losing pieces. We lost the tail, one wing support, and back top flap became unglued.
But what do you expect from a cardboard costume?
As you can imagine, wearing this costume quickly became a large pain in the posterior. After about 10 houses, he wasn't havin' it anymore. He trick or treated in his hooded sweatshirt, sweatpants, and sneakers for the rest of the night.
And we changed his costume from an airplane to a punk kid...
or a boxer/runner...
Or Justin Bieber.
But the bottom line is he had a great time and while the costume was a hit when he wore it, it's the last time I'll made a cardboard box into an airplane.
Hope your Halloween was wonderful! Have a great week!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Why Now and Not Then?
Have you ever been shopping and stumbled upon a new product you wish has been around a few years earlier?
It happened to me today. Let me 'splain.
While grocery shopping at Wally World this morning (that's Wal-Mart if you were wondering if there was some new grocery store chain out there)...I stumbled upon this:
A Cars/Lightning McQueen potty? Are you serious?!?!?!
Let me give you some back story as to why this is such a big deal for me.
Potty training my son was hell. I tried every trick in the book to get him to even try it.
Sink the Cheerios! He could care less.
Let's read a book on the potty! He'd rather not.
I'll give you a sticker if you sit on the potty! He'd take it off and throw it in the trash.
And I went through 2 potty's, thinking maybe if he liked a specific one, he'd want to sit on it.
So I bought the Fisher Price singing potty. I thought the whole 'it sings when you potty' thing would be a great motivator...
But the bowl mysteriously disappeared after about 3 weeks. I never found it.
I'm convinced he threw it in the trash to avoid the whole potty thing.
But I wasn't giving up so easily.
So I went back to the store and bought a plain potty. It was boring and it was cheap. And it could be used as both a little potty and then the seat could be placed on a regular sized toilet...double bonus.
It lasted a lot longer than the first one, but didn't really motivate him to want to use it.
After all the hard work I put in to get my son potty trained, all it took was him starting school last year. Within the first month of Pre-K, he was doing number one and number two on the potty.
Praise God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
But I can't help but wonder if a super cool Lightning McQueen potty would have made a difference...
I guess we'll never know but if I have that 2nd kid anytime soon.......
Have a great weekend....Happy Halloween!!!!
It happened to me today. Let me 'splain.
While grocery shopping at Wally World this morning (that's Wal-Mart if you were wondering if there was some new grocery store chain out there)...I stumbled upon this:
A Cars/Lightning McQueen potty? Are you serious?!?!?!
Let me give you some back story as to why this is such a big deal for me.
Potty training my son was hell. I tried every trick in the book to get him to even try it.
Sink the Cheerios! He could care less.
Let's read a book on the potty! He'd rather not.
I'll give you a sticker if you sit on the potty! He'd take it off and throw it in the trash.
And I went through 2 potty's, thinking maybe if he liked a specific one, he'd want to sit on it.
So I bought the Fisher Price singing potty. I thought the whole 'it sings when you potty' thing would be a great motivator...
But the bowl mysteriously disappeared after about 3 weeks. I never found it.
I'm convinced he threw it in the trash to avoid the whole potty thing.
But I wasn't giving up so easily.
So I went back to the store and bought a plain potty. It was boring and it was cheap. And it could be used as both a little potty and then the seat could be placed on a regular sized toilet...double bonus.
It lasted a lot longer than the first one, but didn't really motivate him to want to use it.
After all the hard work I put in to get my son potty trained, all it took was him starting school last year. Within the first month of Pre-K, he was doing number one and number two on the potty.
Praise God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
But I can't help but wonder if a super cool Lightning McQueen potty would have made a difference...
I guess we'll never know but if I have that 2nd kid anytime soon.......
Have a great weekend....Happy Halloween!!!!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Travel Blog! I Left My Heart....
Ahhh....San Francisco. One of the most beautiful cities in America.
Let me start by saying it's been a long time since I've been there.
Like a really long time.
Like over 10 years ago.
Hubby and I went to San Francisco way back in 1999. It was actually our 1 year anniversary trip and he flew out there with my engagement ring in his luggage.
Yup. San Fransisco is where we got engaged so it holds a very special place in my heart.
I mentioned in yesterday's blog, we did this trip on a very small budget. I'm sad to say the hotel we stayed at has changed hands but the good news is it's been upgraded BIG TIME!
It was known as The Allison back in 99...now it's The Crescent, a small boutique hotel located about 1 block from the cable car line and Chinatown (and directly across the street from the $300+ a night Hyatt!).
The prices have slightly gone up (we paid about $100.00 a night back then) but depending on the time you go, you may be able to snag a room there for a little more than $100 bucks a night.
In San Fran, this is a steal!
The best part of visiting this city is there is no lack of things to do and see. San Francisco is huge...and much more like New York that I realized. The public transportation is top notch with many different ways to get around the city, with the cable car being one of them.
What I didn't know was that there are only 3 cable car lines...they run from the city center north to Fisherman's Wharf then back (watching the cars get turned around on the big turntable is part of the fun). It will cost you about 5 bucks per person each way (kids under 4 ride free) and it's worth it...I was quite surprised how long the ride is. And it's white knuckled in some places...taking the giant hills at a good clip while hanging on to a pole can be a bit nerve-wracking but oh so FUN!
We took the cable car to Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf which was my favorite part of San Francisco. The square sits right at the edge of the Pacific. With Alcatraz in the distance and the smell of Ghirardelli chocolate in the air, it's a great place to take some pictures and spend some time. Make sure you try the chocolate before you leave...the hot fudge sundae should NOT be missed!
Now keep in mind we took this trip in August. We figured "August, California, Summertime...it should be warm"...right?
WRONG!!!
We were so cold, the first thing we did was find the nearest shop and bought 2 polar fleece pullovers! IT WAS FREEZING!!! And when you're by the water, it's even colder. San Francisco tends to be foggy and cold year round. Pack for it!
From Ghirardelli, we made the short walk to Fisherman's Wharf.
Now I wasn't sure what I expected to find here. I'm from Florida so when I think tourist attraction, my mind tends to think of rides and games. I was not expecting to find AMAZING FOOD!
Oh. My. God.
Lobster. Crab. Shrimp.
Unbelievable seafood everywhere!!!!
And fresh...straight off the boat and ready to eat. We bought sourdough loaves of bread with the insides pulled out and then stuffed with fresh crab and lobster salad. It was a full meal in your hand...for THREE DOLLARS!!!!
What a bargain!
And it was seriously the most delicious thing I had ever put in my mouth.
I could have stayed and ate all day.
But we moved on to Pier 39.
And visited the seals.
You can hear these guys before you see them...they bark LOUD!
Adjacent to Pier 39 is the harbor cruise boats. You can tour the harbor and go under the Golden Gate Bridge or do all that plus tour Alcatraz.
We were cheap. We did the harbor and the bridge. But if we ever go back, I'm going to Alcatraz. I would love to see that place.
The views from this cruise are incredible...sailing under the bridge was just awesome.
But the best part is all this is within very close proximity. You can visit all this easily on the same day.
And San Francisco has a lot more to see.
Day 2, we did a little more exploring. And we got real familiar with public transportation.
We took the street car to the subway to the bus line, rode through the Haight-Ashbury district (I didn't get a picture because Hubby wouldn't let me off the bus...it's kind of a scary neighborhood), and ended up at beach. It was quite the journey but very easy to get around with any decent map.
The beach was freezing, the water like ice. I had to put my toes in and then I quickly put my socks and sneakers back on! We saw some surfer dudes and admired their bravery (or stupidity) for daring to swim in that ice cold water. Even with a wet suit, they admitted to us they were freezing.
We did some exploring and climbed up the hillside just off the beach. The views from up here were unbelievable.
And it was up here on these cliffs, I got engaged.
Such happy memories!
After celebrating, we took the bus back to Golden Gate Park and did some exploring. I don't think we were prepared for how large this park really is.
It's a huge green space which eventually leads to the Golden Gate Bridge.
We never made it that far. We walked so much, about half way in we found the bus stop and called it a day.
Looking back, I'm glad we did as this was the most interesting bus ride of our whole trip. Our route took us through all the neighborhoods that make San Francisco such a diverse and interesting place. We saw store fronts completely in Russian (and passengers reading Russian newspapers), theaters showing foreign films, even a few 'adult' ones (This is San Francisco after all!) It was then I really realized what a cosmopolitan city San Francisco was. It was beautiful, yes, but there was so much more to it than just that.
And I fell in love with all the differences it had to offer.
I haven't been back in over 10 years but I know I will someday.
After all, I left a piece of my heart there.
I have to attempt to claim it one day!
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Let me start by saying it's been a long time since I've been there.
Like a really long time.
Like over 10 years ago.
Hubby and I went to San Francisco way back in 1999. It was actually our 1 year anniversary trip and he flew out there with my engagement ring in his luggage.
Yup. San Fransisco is where we got engaged so it holds a very special place in my heart.
I mentioned in yesterday's blog, we did this trip on a very small budget. I'm sad to say the hotel we stayed at has changed hands but the good news is it's been upgraded BIG TIME!
It was known as The Allison back in 99...now it's The Crescent, a small boutique hotel located about 1 block from the cable car line and Chinatown (and directly across the street from the $300+ a night Hyatt!).
The prices have slightly gone up (we paid about $100.00 a night back then) but depending on the time you go, you may be able to snag a room there for a little more than $100 bucks a night.
In San Fran, this is a steal!
The best part of visiting this city is there is no lack of things to do and see. San Francisco is huge...and much more like New York that I realized. The public transportation is top notch with many different ways to get around the city, with the cable car being one of them.
What I didn't know was that there are only 3 cable car lines...they run from the city center north to Fisherman's Wharf then back (watching the cars get turned around on the big turntable is part of the fun). It will cost you about 5 bucks per person each way (kids under 4 ride free) and it's worth it...I was quite surprised how long the ride is. And it's white knuckled in some places...taking the giant hills at a good clip while hanging on to a pole can be a bit nerve-wracking but oh so FUN!
We took the cable car to Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf which was my favorite part of San Francisco. The square sits right at the edge of the Pacific. With Alcatraz in the distance and the smell of Ghirardelli chocolate in the air, it's a great place to take some pictures and spend some time. Make sure you try the chocolate before you leave...the hot fudge sundae should NOT be missed!
Now keep in mind we took this trip in August. We figured "August, California, Summertime...it should be warm"...right?
WRONG!!!
We were so cold, the first thing we did was find the nearest shop and bought 2 polar fleece pullovers! IT WAS FREEZING!!! And when you're by the water, it's even colder. San Francisco tends to be foggy and cold year round. Pack for it!
From Ghirardelli, we made the short walk to Fisherman's Wharf.
Now I wasn't sure what I expected to find here. I'm from Florida so when I think tourist attraction, my mind tends to think of rides and games. I was not expecting to find AMAZING FOOD!
Oh. My. God.
Lobster. Crab. Shrimp.
Unbelievable seafood everywhere!!!!
And fresh...straight off the boat and ready to eat. We bought sourdough loaves of bread with the insides pulled out and then stuffed with fresh crab and lobster salad. It was a full meal in your hand...for THREE DOLLARS!!!!
What a bargain!
And it was seriously the most delicious thing I had ever put in my mouth.
I could have stayed and ate all day.
But we moved on to Pier 39.
And visited the seals.
You can hear these guys before you see them...they bark LOUD!
Adjacent to Pier 39 is the harbor cruise boats. You can tour the harbor and go under the Golden Gate Bridge or do all that plus tour Alcatraz.
We were cheap. We did the harbor and the bridge. But if we ever go back, I'm going to Alcatraz. I would love to see that place.
The views from this cruise are incredible...sailing under the bridge was just awesome.
But the best part is all this is within very close proximity. You can visit all this easily on the same day.
And San Francisco has a lot more to see.
Day 2, we did a little more exploring. And we got real familiar with public transportation.
We took the street car to the subway to the bus line, rode through the Haight-Ashbury district (I didn't get a picture because Hubby wouldn't let me off the bus...it's kind of a scary neighborhood), and ended up at beach. It was quite the journey but very easy to get around with any decent map.
The beach was freezing, the water like ice. I had to put my toes in and then I quickly put my socks and sneakers back on! We saw some surfer dudes and admired their bravery (or stupidity) for daring to swim in that ice cold water. Even with a wet suit, they admitted to us they were freezing.
We did some exploring and climbed up the hillside just off the beach. The views from up here were unbelievable.
And it was up here on these cliffs, I got engaged.
Such happy memories!
After celebrating, we took the bus back to Golden Gate Park and did some exploring. I don't think we were prepared for how large this park really is.
It's a huge green space which eventually leads to the Golden Gate Bridge.
We never made it that far. We walked so much, about half way in we found the bus stop and called it a day.
Looking back, I'm glad we did as this was the most interesting bus ride of our whole trip. Our route took us through all the neighborhoods that make San Francisco such a diverse and interesting place. We saw store fronts completely in Russian (and passengers reading Russian newspapers), theaters showing foreign films, even a few 'adult' ones (This is San Francisco after all!) It was then I really realized what a cosmopolitan city San Francisco was. It was beautiful, yes, but there was so much more to it than just that.
And I fell in love with all the differences it had to offer.
I haven't been back in over 10 years but I know I will someday.
After all, I left a piece of my heart there.
I have to attempt to claim it one day!
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Surprise! A weekend in the mountains!
Don't you just love surprises?
And when that surprise is an unexpected weekend at a beautiful log cabin in the mountains...
It kicks serious boo-tay.
Hubby and I were expecting a wonderful friend of ours in town this past weekend. We were going to make martinis, cook fabulous meals, and go to the Falcons game on Sunday.
Except this friend has a very important job working for the US government.
She could tell me what she does but then she'd have to kill me.
Seriously. She would.
She is the only person I know that has a burqua hanging in her closet. That's been worn. On a trip in a certain part of the world where women wear burquas. I'll let you digest that one for a second.
Anyway, 'The Powers That Be' decided she was needed in Washington for some top secret stuff and she had to cancel her trip.
I'm still shedding tears at all those tasty martinis we missed out on.
But my husband's family was spending the weekend in the North Georgia Mountains and had a spare bedroom...
Needless to say, by noon on Friday the bags were packed. We left as soon as the kiddo got home from school.
As a born and bred Florida girl, I still get slightly giddy at the sight of a mountain. My grandmother does too so I guess it's a genetic thing.
And the fall leaves were stunning! We haven't had any rain so the trees were full of color.
Just beautiful!
But the weekend was really about relaxing and spending quality time with the family. I have 4 teenage nieces and nephews who I adore. The best part of the weekend was just hanging out with them.
Let me just say my brother and sister in law have raised 4 amazing kids. They range in age from 17 to 12 and missed work, a football game, dates and sleepovers to spend time with their family for the ENTIRE weekend.
And not one of them complained about it.
I guess miracles CAN occur! (Just teasing...they really are GREAT kids!)
The house we stayed at is in a little town called Mineral Bluff. It's just outside of Blue Ridge, GA which is kind of the biggest little town in the area.
It's just so quaint...I love it.
Saturday, we went to town looking for the Harvest Craft Festival. We stumbled on a dog parade instead. I had no idea there was such a thing!
We saw every dog breed known to man...but I had to snap a picture of this little one.
Is she not the cutest thing you've ever seen? I wanted to snatch her up and take her home with me!
We watched the parade...
Saw some beautiful fall trees...
And then headed to the craft show...
But really the whole weekend was just about being in the mountains.
And the best views were from the deck of our cabin.
Can you believe this sunset? Incredible!
The interior of the place was charming, too.
Here's our room...with the kiddo posing on the bed...
The very cool fireplace...with football on the TV...
And my personal fave...the hot tub!
I took my book with me and got in when everyone was in town and the kiddo was napping. Heavenly.
All that was missing with a martini or a glass of wine.
The weekend was a huge success and we had a great time.
But aren't spontaneous and unexpected trips usually the best ones you ever take?
I hope your week is as great as my weekend!
Have a great Monday!
And when that surprise is an unexpected weekend at a beautiful log cabin in the mountains...
It kicks serious boo-tay.
Hubby and I were expecting a wonderful friend of ours in town this past weekend. We were going to make martinis, cook fabulous meals, and go to the Falcons game on Sunday.
Except this friend has a very important job working for the US government.
She could tell me what she does but then she'd have to kill me.
Seriously. She would.
She is the only person I know that has a burqua hanging in her closet. That's been worn. On a trip in a certain part of the world where women wear burquas. I'll let you digest that one for a second.
Anyway, 'The Powers That Be' decided she was needed in Washington for some top secret stuff and she had to cancel her trip.
I'm still shedding tears at all those tasty martinis we missed out on.
But my husband's family was spending the weekend in the North Georgia Mountains and had a spare bedroom...
Needless to say, by noon on Friday the bags were packed. We left as soon as the kiddo got home from school.
As a born and bred Florida girl, I still get slightly giddy at the sight of a mountain. My grandmother does too so I guess it's a genetic thing.
And the fall leaves were stunning! We haven't had any rain so the trees were full of color.
But the weekend was really about relaxing and spending quality time with the family. I have 4 teenage nieces and nephews who I adore. The best part of the weekend was just hanging out with them.
Let me just say my brother and sister in law have raised 4 amazing kids. They range in age from 17 to 12 and missed work, a football game, dates and sleepovers to spend time with their family for the ENTIRE weekend.
And not one of them complained about it.
I guess miracles CAN occur! (Just teasing...they really are GREAT kids!)
The house we stayed at is in a little town called Mineral Bluff. It's just outside of Blue Ridge, GA which is kind of the biggest little town in the area.
It's just so quaint...I love it.
Saturday, we went to town looking for the Harvest Craft Festival. We stumbled on a dog parade instead. I had no idea there was such a thing!
We saw every dog breed known to man...but I had to snap a picture of this little one.
We watched the parade...
And the best views were from the deck of our cabin.
The interior of the place was charming, too.
Here's our room...with the kiddo posing on the bed...
And my personal fave...the hot tub!
All that was missing with a martini or a glass of wine.
The weekend was a huge success and we had a great time.
But aren't spontaneous and unexpected trips usually the best ones you ever take?
Have a great Monday!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
They just don't make em' like they used to...
Is there one product you buy religiously? It can be anything...from a certain brand food or underwear to a particular type of toothpaste or beauty product.
While I am fickle about some products I buy, there are a few I just can't seem to live without. Clinique concealer and Revlon tweezers are two that come to mind.
But lately, I have noticed a decline in the quality of some products I always buy.
And frankly, it really ticks me off.
When we were kids, there were so few choices than what we have in today's market place. You needed underwear? You went to a department store. Places like Wal-Mart and Target didn't exist back then. At least they didn't in Florida.
And because you bought that stuff at a department store, the quality was usually pretty good. But that also has to do with the fact a lot of the goods we bought were made right here in the good ol' US of A.
In today's marketplace it seems like everything we buy is imported. Can you remember the last time you saw Made in The U.S.A. on the tag of a t-shirt? I went shopping at Kohl's yesterday. One I tried on was made in Jordan.
The US accounts for 50% of the world's cotton production.
And we are the number one exporter of it.
We grow more than anyone else and we import t-shirts from Jordan.
Does this make any sense to you?
My frustration made me sit and think. How many products have I seen a decline in lately? It seems like everything I buy lately has been shoddy, falls apart too soon or just crap in general. So here's my list of disappointment and shame.
1. Victoria's Secret cotton underwear
I have worn Victoria's Secret cotton bikini underwear exclusively for well over 15 years. I honestly can't remember buying my underwear anywhere else. The 5 for $25 deal is my best friend. And I get coupons every month for a free pair so this one kind of breaks my heart. Their underwear used to be awesome. A nice thick cotton, wide strip at the top...they would last forever.
Then they made the switch to imported cotton. They shrunk the band and ruined the best underwear I have ever worn. Now, I get about 5 or 6 washes and wears before little holes start to form around the sides and the crotch. Which is just what you want, right? Holy crotch underwear. NOT! After the last 5 I bought started to fall apart after about 2 months, I put my foot down.
I will never buy these panties again.
2. (Insert clothing store name here) T-Shirts
Now this one is hard to pull the 'never buy again' card on. How do you live without cotton t-shirts? And I have bought them everywhere...The Gap, Old Navy, Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Macy's...
THEY ALL SELL IMPORTED COTTON!!! And after about 10 washes, they all start to develop little holes in the material.
I'm a Mom so a cotton T is my wardrobe staple. If you know of a brand that doesn't fall apart, please let me know. I'll love you forever.
3. Maybelline Great Last WATERPROOF Mascara
You know I HAD to list a beauty product on here...I am a make-up junkie after all! And this one sent me into a rant last night. Great Lash mascara has been around since the dawn of time. It's my go to mascara so this is not the first tube I've ever purchased. I buy the waterproof formula so it won't come off during the day. Simple right?
Wrong. I put this stuff on yesterday around 11:00am. By 5:00pm, I have black smudges under my eyes. I take a shower and wash my face and by 7:30pm, I look like a raccoon! Waterproof. Maybelline? Are you sure? Cause I think you screwed up a batch of this stuff! Refund please!
4. Bath and Body Works
This one is a little different. It's not that their product quality has declined, it's that they have gotten a little too big for their britches. Bath and Body Works bath and shower gel and body lotion have been my favorites for as long as I can remember. When they opened the first store in my hometown, I was a junkie. And it was great because you could walk in there with about 20 bucks and walk out with a least 3 products. The scents were amazing and they were always introducing something yummy and delicious.
And then they changed.
They upgraded the exterior of all their stores and completely revamped all their packaging and products and then turned around and passed all that cost on to YOU! If you walk into a Bath and Body Works today with 20 bucks, expect to walk out with a bottle of shower gel. That's it. The deals are few and far between now days. The only thing they sell that I still buy is their anti-bacterial line and during the holidays, their Christmas scents. Vanilla Bean Noel is an all time fave.
Other than that, forget it. They lost my business.
My last one is the big daddy...it encompasses everything I have discussed so far.
Customer Service.
What the hell has happened to customer service?
Did it start when we started shipping jobs overseas? And don't even mention the dreaded automated system. I think they are both a huge contributing factor to the problem. I have worked in 2 call centers. One was for a major US bank, the other for a major US airline.
Both of those jobs still exist except they are now based in India.
Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking those folks that are handling those calls. What I'm knocking are the companies that think it's acceptable to ship our jobs out and expect their customers to be satisfied with the level of service given to them by someone who has no idea what it's like to be in their shoes. There's no empathy in customer service anymore. And that is what everyone who picks up a phone to call regarding a problem wants to hear.
Now you know I'm a 'glass is half full' kind of girl.
Where I list the bad, I have to list the good.
And I'm happy to say there are some goods that I buy which have improved drastically over the past few years. Here are a couple on the top of my list:
1. Women's Jeans
God bless the person that started adding lycra and spandex to denim. Can you even remember what jeans were like before stretch was introduced? I can't. Seriously. And now you can find jeans that make your waist look smaller, your hips thinner, you butt higher...I am so excited about all these improvements, I want to do a cartwheel! But is wonderful to know that no matter what size you wear or how much junk is in your trunk, there is the perfect pair of jeans out there for you. The new styles are figure flattering and not too tough on the budget. A total win-win.
2. Lightbulbs
This one seems a but silly but let me explain.
If you have upgraded to the new energy bulbs, have you noticed how long they last? I have some in my house I know have been in for almost a year and they are still working! That's unheard of with old florescent bulbs! Technology is amazing!
Now if they can figure out how to make an Old Navy T-shirt last as long as one of those light bulbs, my life would be made!
Have a Great Thursday everyone!
While I am fickle about some products I buy, there are a few I just can't seem to live without. Clinique concealer and Revlon tweezers are two that come to mind.
But lately, I have noticed a decline in the quality of some products I always buy.
And frankly, it really ticks me off.
When we were kids, there were so few choices than what we have in today's market place. You needed underwear? You went to a department store. Places like Wal-Mart and Target didn't exist back then. At least they didn't in Florida.
And because you bought that stuff at a department store, the quality was usually pretty good. But that also has to do with the fact a lot of the goods we bought were made right here in the good ol' US of A.
In today's marketplace it seems like everything we buy is imported. Can you remember the last time you saw Made in The U.S.A. on the tag of a t-shirt? I went shopping at Kohl's yesterday. One I tried on was made in Jordan.
The US accounts for 50% of the world's cotton production.
And we are the number one exporter of it.
We grow more than anyone else and we import t-shirts from Jordan.
Does this make any sense to you?
My frustration made me sit and think. How many products have I seen a decline in lately? It seems like everything I buy lately has been shoddy, falls apart too soon or just crap in general. So here's my list of disappointment and shame.
1. Victoria's Secret cotton underwear
I have worn Victoria's Secret cotton bikini underwear exclusively for well over 15 years. I honestly can't remember buying my underwear anywhere else. The 5 for $25 deal is my best friend. And I get coupons every month for a free pair so this one kind of breaks my heart. Their underwear used to be awesome. A nice thick cotton, wide strip at the top...they would last forever.
Then they made the switch to imported cotton. They shrunk the band and ruined the best underwear I have ever worn. Now, I get about 5 or 6 washes and wears before little holes start to form around the sides and the crotch. Which is just what you want, right? Holy crotch underwear. NOT! After the last 5 I bought started to fall apart after about 2 months, I put my foot down.
I will never buy these panties again.
2. (Insert clothing store name here) T-Shirts
Now this one is hard to pull the 'never buy again' card on. How do you live without cotton t-shirts? And I have bought them everywhere...The Gap, Old Navy, Kohl's, Target, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Macy's...
THEY ALL SELL IMPORTED COTTON!!! And after about 10 washes, they all start to develop little holes in the material.
I'm a Mom so a cotton T is my wardrobe staple. If you know of a brand that doesn't fall apart, please let me know. I'll love you forever.
3. Maybelline Great Last WATERPROOF Mascara
You know I HAD to list a beauty product on here...I am a make-up junkie after all! And this one sent me into a rant last night. Great Lash mascara has been around since the dawn of time. It's my go to mascara so this is not the first tube I've ever purchased. I buy the waterproof formula so it won't come off during the day. Simple right?
Wrong. I put this stuff on yesterday around 11:00am. By 5:00pm, I have black smudges under my eyes. I take a shower and wash my face and by 7:30pm, I look like a raccoon! Waterproof. Maybelline? Are you sure? Cause I think you screwed up a batch of this stuff! Refund please!
4. Bath and Body Works
This one is a little different. It's not that their product quality has declined, it's that they have gotten a little too big for their britches. Bath and Body Works bath and shower gel and body lotion have been my favorites for as long as I can remember. When they opened the first store in my hometown, I was a junkie. And it was great because you could walk in there with about 20 bucks and walk out with a least 3 products. The scents were amazing and they were always introducing something yummy and delicious.
And then they changed.
They upgraded the exterior of all their stores and completely revamped all their packaging and products and then turned around and passed all that cost on to YOU! If you walk into a Bath and Body Works today with 20 bucks, expect to walk out with a bottle of shower gel. That's it. The deals are few and far between now days. The only thing they sell that I still buy is their anti-bacterial line and during the holidays, their Christmas scents. Vanilla Bean Noel is an all time fave.
Other than that, forget it. They lost my business.
My last one is the big daddy...it encompasses everything I have discussed so far.
Customer Service.
What the hell has happened to customer service?
Did it start when we started shipping jobs overseas? And don't even mention the dreaded automated system. I think they are both a huge contributing factor to the problem. I have worked in 2 call centers. One was for a major US bank, the other for a major US airline.
Both of those jobs still exist except they are now based in India.
Don't get me wrong. I am not knocking those folks that are handling those calls. What I'm knocking are the companies that think it's acceptable to ship our jobs out and expect their customers to be satisfied with the level of service given to them by someone who has no idea what it's like to be in their shoes. There's no empathy in customer service anymore. And that is what everyone who picks up a phone to call regarding a problem wants to hear.
Now you know I'm a 'glass is half full' kind of girl.
Where I list the bad, I have to list the good.
And I'm happy to say there are some goods that I buy which have improved drastically over the past few years. Here are a couple on the top of my list:
1. Women's Jeans
God bless the person that started adding lycra and spandex to denim. Can you even remember what jeans were like before stretch was introduced? I can't. Seriously. And now you can find jeans that make your waist look smaller, your hips thinner, you butt higher...I am so excited about all these improvements, I want to do a cartwheel! But is wonderful to know that no matter what size you wear or how much junk is in your trunk, there is the perfect pair of jeans out there for you. The new styles are figure flattering and not too tough on the budget. A total win-win.
2. Lightbulbs
This one seems a but silly but let me explain.
If you have upgraded to the new energy bulbs, have you noticed how long they last? I have some in my house I know have been in for almost a year and they are still working! That's unheard of with old florescent bulbs! Technology is amazing!
Now if they can figure out how to make an Old Navy T-shirt last as long as one of those light bulbs, my life would be made!
Have a Great Thursday everyone!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How Soon They Forget...
My husband is a wonderful cook and really knows his way around the kitchen.
Or at least he used to.
When we first got married 10 years ago I hated to cook.
I mean HATED it.
Which is kind of funny considering I come from a long line of unbelievable cooks...my grandmother is the best, my mom was exceptional and my sister is traveling in their footsteps.
I just figured the culinary gene skipped right over me.
Luckily, I married a man who paid attention to his mama in the kitchen. Although he never cooked when he lived under her roof, he watched her often and learned the skills needed to create a delicious meal. My mother-in-law is a terrific Southern cook. Her cornbread and collard greens will make you want to jump up and slap your momma.
That is figure of speech. Please don't slap your mother. Please understand we say some silly things here in Georgia.
So when we were a newly wedded couple, Hubby did all the cooking.
Except for Spaghetti. I boil a mean pot of noodles. And my skills of warming up a jar of Prego are top notch.
Meat to cook? Hubby cooked it.
Frying? Hubby did it.
Grilling? Hubby was and still is the master.
We would have starved during the first 5 years of our marriage if not for him.
And then we had a son. The birth of my little boy changed everything.
Suddenly, I couldn't squelch the desire to learn everything there was to know about the art of cooking. There would be family dinners in my very near future and I was going to cook those dinners! And it wasn't going be Spaghetti every night!
So I made a few phone calls. Most of them were to my sister.
My poor sister. I drove her crazy. It was not unheard of for me to call her 6 or 7 times while preparing a meal.
"How much meat do I use to make the meatloaf again?"
"How many ounces of beer do I use to make this yellow rice?"
"How long do I leave it in the oven for?"
"How do you 'eyeball' something? I need specific measurements!"
She was patient and wonderful with all my dumb questions.
And I learned.
I can now hold my own in the kitchen. In fact, I make most of the meals for the family now. If there's something we want to grill, hubby will cook it. After all, he is the grill master and I'm not messing with a good thing. But we actually enjoy cooking together. He grills and I cook the sides...it's something fun we both love to do.
Which brings me to last night.
Hubby and I were going to cook dinner together so I was waiting till he gave me to cue to head to the kitchen to get started. I heard him fumbling around in the pantry so I make my way to join him. As I enter the kitchen, he takes out a very small bag of rice and asks if that's all we had left. I told him no, there was a much larger bag in the pantry. So he found it and for some strange reason, grabbed it from the side instead of the bottom.
Can you see where this is heading?
The bag of rice somehow became unsealed at the top and rice went everywhere.
I mean EVERYWHERE!!!
Just picture about 20 or more tile squares COVERED in rice.
The rice I was going to be cooking.
His only responsibility was to grill the pork chops.
Needless to say, I teased him all night about the fact that he used to be the master of the kitchen and now can't even handle the rice.
It was hysterically funny. Especially after all that rice was vacuumed up.
And I thanked him for giving me the subject for Wednesday's blog post! Think twice before you let your man in the kitchen!
Have a great day everyone!
Or at least he used to.
When we first got married 10 years ago I hated to cook.
I mean HATED it.
Which is kind of funny considering I come from a long line of unbelievable cooks...my grandmother is the best, my mom was exceptional and my sister is traveling in their footsteps.
I just figured the culinary gene skipped right over me.
Luckily, I married a man who paid attention to his mama in the kitchen. Although he never cooked when he lived under her roof, he watched her often and learned the skills needed to create a delicious meal. My mother-in-law is a terrific Southern cook. Her cornbread and collard greens will make you want to jump up and slap your momma.
That is figure of speech. Please don't slap your mother. Please understand we say some silly things here in Georgia.
So when we were a newly wedded couple, Hubby did all the cooking.
Except for Spaghetti. I boil a mean pot of noodles. And my skills of warming up a jar of Prego are top notch.
Meat to cook? Hubby cooked it.
Frying? Hubby did it.
Grilling? Hubby was and still is the master.
We would have starved during the first 5 years of our marriage if not for him.
And then we had a son. The birth of my little boy changed everything.
Suddenly, I couldn't squelch the desire to learn everything there was to know about the art of cooking. There would be family dinners in my very near future and I was going to cook those dinners! And it wasn't going be Spaghetti every night!
So I made a few phone calls. Most of them were to my sister.
My poor sister. I drove her crazy. It was not unheard of for me to call her 6 or 7 times while preparing a meal.
"How much meat do I use to make the meatloaf again?"
"How many ounces of beer do I use to make this yellow rice?"
"How long do I leave it in the oven for?"
"How do you 'eyeball' something? I need specific measurements!"
She was patient and wonderful with all my dumb questions.
And I learned.
I can now hold my own in the kitchen. In fact, I make most of the meals for the family now. If there's something we want to grill, hubby will cook it. After all, he is the grill master and I'm not messing with a good thing. But we actually enjoy cooking together. He grills and I cook the sides...it's something fun we both love to do.
Which brings me to last night.
Hubby and I were going to cook dinner together so I was waiting till he gave me to cue to head to the kitchen to get started. I heard him fumbling around in the pantry so I make my way to join him. As I enter the kitchen, he takes out a very small bag of rice and asks if that's all we had left. I told him no, there was a much larger bag in the pantry. So he found it and for some strange reason, grabbed it from the side instead of the bottom.
Can you see where this is heading?
The bag of rice somehow became unsealed at the top and rice went everywhere.
I mean EVERYWHERE!!!
Just picture about 20 or more tile squares COVERED in rice.
The rice I was going to be cooking.
His only responsibility was to grill the pork chops.
Needless to say, I teased him all night about the fact that he used to be the master of the kitchen and now can't even handle the rice.
It was hysterically funny. Especially after all that rice was vacuumed up.
And I thanked him for giving me the subject for Wednesday's blog post! Think twice before you let your man in the kitchen!
Have a great day everyone!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
It's that time of year again...my biggest pet peeve!
Ahhh...Fall is in the air.
The leaves are changing. The air is getting crisp. Each morning is a little cooler than the one before it.
Jackets are being worn and the old blue jeans have been pulled out from the back of the closet. The warm summer mornings full of bright sunshine are gone till Spring.
So parents out there reading this blog...please do me a favor...
PUT YOUR CHILDREN IN SOME CLOSED TOED SHOES!!!!!!!
I don't have many pet peeves. I'm a very relaxed go with the flow kind of Mom.
It seriously takes a lot to get me riled up.
But seeing a child wearing long pants, a sweatshirt and flip flops will do it every time.
If you are of latin descent like me (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Italian, Spanish...heck, I'll even throw in Greek) you most likely grew up with a latin grandmother. Mine is Spanish and she is the most wonderful, caring, giving human being on the planet. She is the kind of woman that will do anything for anyone...and if that anyone is her grandchild? Forgetaboutit. I clearly remember this woman making 4 separate dinners for 4 different grandkids. Yes, she spoiled us rotten but there was also a price we paid for all that attention she gave us.
We had to obey.
My grandmother had a set of rules I call the Holy Commandments. She didn't have 10 but she had a few rules we knew we better pay close attention to.
You must never leave wet towels or clothes on the floor.
You must always (and I mean always) drink you milk.
You must never run and jump in the house.
You must always use Vicks Vapor Rub when you're sick. (I still have to obey this one)
And the cardinal rule...you must always wear socks on a cold day.
This last one always makes me laugh since I grew up in Florida. We would get about 10 cold days in an entire year. But it didn't matter...it she thought it was cold, we better keep our socks on.
Now that I live in a colder climate and have a child of my own who hates to wear socks (just like his Mama), I find myself sounding exactly like my grandmother. That rule has stuck with me to this day and I make sure my little guy has them on whether he likes it or not.
So you can imagine how I cringed yesterday when I saw a kid walking into my son's school wearing a huge bulky warm sweatshirt, jeans...and a pair of skimpy yellow flip flops.
I had to restrain myself from asking that little girl where her mommy was.
(Just kidding. I would have never done such a thing. But I did fantasize about it on the way home.)
Here's my rule of thumb. If it's below 60 degrees outside and you feel the need to cover every part of your exposed skin to the outside air...
COVER YOUR FEET!
I know sometimes it's not easy. Kids are hardheaded and don't want to listen to Mom. I get it. I have a 5 year old who lives to do the opposite of what I say. But you are the parent. You rule their world. So make them wear the socks and sneakers.
And if all else fails,
Hide the flip flops!
Have a happy Tuesday!
The leaves are changing. The air is getting crisp. Each morning is a little cooler than the one before it.
Jackets are being worn and the old blue jeans have been pulled out from the back of the closet. The warm summer mornings full of bright sunshine are gone till Spring.
So parents out there reading this blog...please do me a favor...
PUT YOUR CHILDREN IN SOME CLOSED TOED SHOES!!!!!!!
I don't have many pet peeves. I'm a very relaxed go with the flow kind of Mom.
It seriously takes a lot to get me riled up.
But seeing a child wearing long pants, a sweatshirt and flip flops will do it every time.
If you are of latin descent like me (Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Italian, Spanish...heck, I'll even throw in Greek) you most likely grew up with a latin grandmother. Mine is Spanish and she is the most wonderful, caring, giving human being on the planet. She is the kind of woman that will do anything for anyone...and if that anyone is her grandchild? Forgetaboutit. I clearly remember this woman making 4 separate dinners for 4 different grandkids. Yes, she spoiled us rotten but there was also a price we paid for all that attention she gave us.
We had to obey.
My grandmother had a set of rules I call the Holy Commandments. She didn't have 10 but she had a few rules we knew we better pay close attention to.
You must never leave wet towels or clothes on the floor.
You must always (and I mean always) drink you milk.
You must never run and jump in the house.
You must always use Vicks Vapor Rub when you're sick. (I still have to obey this one)
And the cardinal rule...you must always wear socks on a cold day.
This last one always makes me laugh since I grew up in Florida. We would get about 10 cold days in an entire year. But it didn't matter...it she thought it was cold, we better keep our socks on.
Now that I live in a colder climate and have a child of my own who hates to wear socks (just like his Mama), I find myself sounding exactly like my grandmother. That rule has stuck with me to this day and I make sure my little guy has them on whether he likes it or not.
So you can imagine how I cringed yesterday when I saw a kid walking into my son's school wearing a huge bulky warm sweatshirt, jeans...and a pair of skimpy yellow flip flops.
I had to restrain myself from asking that little girl where her mommy was.
(Just kidding. I would have never done such a thing. But I did fantasize about it on the way home.)
Here's my rule of thumb. If it's below 60 degrees outside and you feel the need to cover every part of your exposed skin to the outside air...
COVER YOUR FEET!
I know sometimes it's not easy. Kids are hardheaded and don't want to listen to Mom. I get it. I have a 5 year old who lives to do the opposite of what I say. But you are the parent. You rule their world. So make them wear the socks and sneakers.
And if all else fails,
Hide the flip flops!
Have a happy Tuesday!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Beauty Blog! It's All About The Hair
Even if you are not a girly girl and make-up gives you the willies...
You still have to wash your hair.
Unless you have dreadlocks and then I guess you don't. How do they keep their scalps clean anyway? I've always wondered about that.
Anyway, back to what I was saying.
Shampoo and conditioner (or creme rinse as it used to be called) have been around for a couple hundred years. When I was a kid, I remember watching commercials for Prell and Breck and my personal favorite, Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific...which is still the all time best name for a shampoo in the history of shampoo.
And it truly was all about smell. My sister and I would stand in the grocery store aisle and smell them all, always picking the one with the best sent. (Suave Strawberry was one my personal favorites...I loved the way it smelled).
Now here we are in the 21st century and women are no longer buying shampoo based on its scent. Haircare in general has undergone a huge transformation in the last 20 years. Shampoo and conditioner have gone high tech. Now we choose our shampoo based on our hair type. Straight, curly, frizzy, color-treated, split ends, fine, limp, thick, unruly...if you have a hair type, there is now a shampoo designed especially for you.
And these products make great promises. Guaranteed to reduce split ends. Guaranteed to make your hair 50 times stronger. Guaranteed you hair will remain smooth as silk even in high humidity.
(Just for the record, I haven't found any that can live up to that final promise...I live in the South where heat and humidity reside. Nothing can keep my hair from frizzing on a humid, oppressive day.)
If you have read my past beauty blogs, you know I am not loyal to one brand. I like to try different ones and pick my favorites. Haircare is no exception. I never buy the same brand twice unless I love it. And even then, I like to switch it up a bit.
Now with that said, I need to tell you what hair type I have.
It's thick. I mean super thick. My hairdresser has actually started padding in an extra 15 minutes to my appointment because it takes her so long to dry it.
And it's straight...well for the most part. It would be bone straight if I hadn't insisted on getting perms back in the 80's.
I blame it all on Jennifer Beals. I just had to have those Flashdance curls!
While my hair is mostly straight, it does have a tendency to wave and frizz. Let's just say a flat iron is my best friend.
I also color my hair...or I used to on a regular basis. I was getting highlights and lowlights put throughout my hair. However, I decided to stop...being a single income family was not allowing me to spend $125.00 every 4 months. I could stretch it out a bit between colorings because my roots never showed that bad. (I'm a natural blond & was just enhancing my color, not completely changing it) In November of last year, I had my stylist put the lowlight all over my head to tone down the light blond. She added a few highlights to the front and that's it. I haven't had any color on my hair since so this shade of blond I am currently sporting is as natural as I can get.
So you can probably guess most of the shampoos and conditioners on my list are for color-treated hair. To quote my stylist, "If you spend all that money getting professional color, you better use professional hair products. If you don't, you're wasting you money." And I totally agree. Using a salon brand shampoo and conditioner will prolong the life of your color. It won't fade and your color will stay true over a longer period of time. So with that said, let me tell you some on the ones I have used over the past couple of years.
1. Back to Basics Blue Lavender Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner
They sell this stuff at my salon and I really liked it. It's not cheap (the big gallon bottles will run you about $18-$20 a piece) but you can find them on sale. I bought the 2 large bottles for $24.00 total. Granted, that's a lot of money but if you are paying over $400.00 a year coloring you hair, this is a small expense.
What I liked: the scent and how my hair felt after using. The conditioner was really good on my super thick hair.
What I didn't like: I used more conditioner than shampoo. Therefore, I ran out a different times and I HATE that!
2. Redken Color Extend
Oh how I loved this stuff. I honestly don't think there wasn't anything I disliked about this product. It smelled great, left my hair like silk, and lasted forever. If there is any cons it was that Trade Secret didn't have the 2 for $24.00 special running when I ran out cause I totally would have bought this stuff again.
2 thumbs WAY UP for this stuff! Love love LOVE!
3. Paul Mitchell Color Protect
I had been a Paul Mitchell lover in the 80's and 90's when I was in High School and started taking better care of my hair so the brand was on my radar. This was the very first stuff I bought after I started coloring my hair professionally. And it was okay. I liked the shampoo much more than the conditioner. For some reason, it never made my hair smooth and silky and I hate that. If I'm paying a lot of money for the good stuff, I better be able to tell the difference. Scent was good but I wasn't impressed.
4. Biolage Color Protect
This stuff is great. It smells divine and works beautifully. And it's usually on sale which is a big bonus for me. Because it's one of the best, lots of drugstore brands try to copy it's formula (Suave being one of them in their new Professional line but I'll get to that in a bit). Biolage is great stuff...well worth the price.
5. Bed Head Dumb Blonde
Now I have to admit, I bought the stuff based on the name and color. I loved the pink shampoo...it was so pretty. And it smelled delicious. Can't say enough good things about the shampoo. It's a shame it has to be followed by the conditioner. This is easily the worst conditioner on the list. It's awful. I had to use handfuls of this stuff and still my hair was full of tangles after a shower. I was so disappointed, I never bought it again and threw it out before I emptied the bottle which this money conscious girl NEVER does.
Now that I no longer color my hair and my budget is tighter than ever, I have switched back to the drug store brands. I was surprised how good they have gotten since I last bought them. Here's my favorites.
1. Suave Professionals Color Care
Simply put, I can not believe this stuff is less than $3.00 a bottle. It's fantastic. It smells great, leaves my hair smooth and tangle free and does help prolong the highlights in my hair. It claims to be like Biolage and I agree. Even my stylist couldn't tell I was using Suave. Love it!
2. Garnier Color Protect
Now I'm going to tattle a bit...this is my husband's favorite shampoo. He loves Garnier but he uses the regular formula for healthy hair. It's smells divine and does leave your hair like silk. And the make great hair styling products, too.
3. Suave Professionals Sleek
This is my current obsession. I have never used a shampoo designed for straight hair. Since I've had my hair colored, I always used something to protect it. But now that my hair is back to its natural color, I bought this a few weeks ago. I absolutely LOVE it! It compares itself to Matrix Sleek Look which I have never used but heard great things about. But I can honestly say I have noticed a difference in my hair. It's silkier and straighter and doesn't seem as prone to frizz. Great stuff!
Some of you are probably wondering why the top selling shampoo and conditioner brand is no where on my list...Pantene. Honestly I'm not a big fan. Yes, it smells great and when you use it, your hair does seem shinier, more manageable. But for me, the improvement is short lived. Soon after using it, my hair gets dull, lifeless, faded. I'll never forget my stylist asking me what I was using on my hair about 4 years ago, before I started coloring it. I was on a Pantene kick and she said my hair was coated in gunk. She actually asked if I was using Pantene! I admitted I was and she went on to explain how it's filled with so many oils (which is why your hair looks so incredibly shiny when you start using it) that eventually will weigh you hair follicle down. She said if you use that stuff, you have to invest on a cleansing shampoo to use at least once a week (She recommended Neutrogena)to get all that oil off your hair. Needless to say, I stopped using it and have never bought Pantene again. But if you use it and see different results, please post a comment and let me know...I am always open to second chances!
Last but not least, I thought I talk briefly about the styling products I use. Since my hair is straight, I don't use much. But there are 3 products I love.
1.Garnier Sleek and Shine Smoothing Milk
This stuff works very well. It's not my absolute favorite, but if you are on a budget, it works great for straight hair.
2. Chi Silk Infusion
This stuff works great. Makes your hair silky and shiny...a great product to put on towel dried hair before blow drying. My stylist uses this and I love the way it makes my hair look.
3. Biosilk Silk Therapy
I definitely saved the best for last. Oh Biosilk how I love thee....let me count the ways!!!
Words can not describe how much I love this stuff. Whoever created it deserves a medal. It's the most incredible hair product I have ever used. You want to talk about shine? Oh my God. Forgetaboutit. Even the name is appropriate because my hair IS silk after using it. LOVE LOVE LOVE my Biosilk!
There are hundreds or hair care products on the market and I have touched on a small few. If there's a product you love and I didn't mention it here, tell me about it...I love you hear what you are using. Don't be afraid to leave me a comment!
Have a great week...here's to a week's worth of good hair days!
You still have to wash your hair.
Unless you have dreadlocks and then I guess you don't. How do they keep their scalps clean anyway? I've always wondered about that.
Anyway, back to what I was saying.
Shampoo and conditioner (or creme rinse as it used to be called) have been around for a couple hundred years. When I was a kid, I remember watching commercials for Prell and Breck and my personal favorite, Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific...which is still the all time best name for a shampoo in the history of shampoo.
And it truly was all about smell. My sister and I would stand in the grocery store aisle and smell them all, always picking the one with the best sent. (Suave Strawberry was one my personal favorites...I loved the way it smelled).
Now here we are in the 21st century and women are no longer buying shampoo based on its scent. Haircare in general has undergone a huge transformation in the last 20 years. Shampoo and conditioner have gone high tech. Now we choose our shampoo based on our hair type. Straight, curly, frizzy, color-treated, split ends, fine, limp, thick, unruly...if you have a hair type, there is now a shampoo designed especially for you.
And these products make great promises. Guaranteed to reduce split ends. Guaranteed to make your hair 50 times stronger. Guaranteed you hair will remain smooth as silk even in high humidity.
(Just for the record, I haven't found any that can live up to that final promise...I live in the South where heat and humidity reside. Nothing can keep my hair from frizzing on a humid, oppressive day.)
If you have read my past beauty blogs, you know I am not loyal to one brand. I like to try different ones and pick my favorites. Haircare is no exception. I never buy the same brand twice unless I love it. And even then, I like to switch it up a bit.
Now with that said, I need to tell you what hair type I have.
It's thick. I mean super thick. My hairdresser has actually started padding in an extra 15 minutes to my appointment because it takes her so long to dry it.
And it's straight...well for the most part. It would be bone straight if I hadn't insisted on getting perms back in the 80's.
I blame it all on Jennifer Beals. I just had to have those Flashdance curls!
While my hair is mostly straight, it does have a tendency to wave and frizz. Let's just say a flat iron is my best friend.
I also color my hair...or I used to on a regular basis. I was getting highlights and lowlights put throughout my hair. However, I decided to stop...being a single income family was not allowing me to spend $125.00 every 4 months. I could stretch it out a bit between colorings because my roots never showed that bad. (I'm a natural blond & was just enhancing my color, not completely changing it) In November of last year, I had my stylist put the lowlight all over my head to tone down the light blond. She added a few highlights to the front and that's it. I haven't had any color on my hair since so this shade of blond I am currently sporting is as natural as I can get.
So you can probably guess most of the shampoos and conditioners on my list are for color-treated hair. To quote my stylist, "If you spend all that money getting professional color, you better use professional hair products. If you don't, you're wasting you money." And I totally agree. Using a salon brand shampoo and conditioner will prolong the life of your color. It won't fade and your color will stay true over a longer period of time. So with that said, let me tell you some on the ones I have used over the past couple of years.
1. Back to Basics Blue Lavender Color Protecting Shampoo and Conditioner
They sell this stuff at my salon and I really liked it. It's not cheap (the big gallon bottles will run you about $18-$20 a piece) but you can find them on sale. I bought the 2 large bottles for $24.00 total. Granted, that's a lot of money but if you are paying over $400.00 a year coloring you hair, this is a small expense.
What I liked: the scent and how my hair felt after using. The conditioner was really good on my super thick hair.
What I didn't like: I used more conditioner than shampoo. Therefore, I ran out a different times and I HATE that!
2. Redken Color Extend
Oh how I loved this stuff. I honestly don't think there wasn't anything I disliked about this product. It smelled great, left my hair like silk, and lasted forever. If there is any cons it was that Trade Secret didn't have the 2 for $24.00 special running when I ran out cause I totally would have bought this stuff again.
2 thumbs WAY UP for this stuff! Love love LOVE!
3. Paul Mitchell Color Protect
I had been a Paul Mitchell lover in the 80's and 90's when I was in High School and started taking better care of my hair so the brand was on my radar. This was the very first stuff I bought after I started coloring my hair professionally. And it was okay. I liked the shampoo much more than the conditioner. For some reason, it never made my hair smooth and silky and I hate that. If I'm paying a lot of money for the good stuff, I better be able to tell the difference. Scent was good but I wasn't impressed.
4. Biolage Color Protect
This stuff is great. It smells divine and works beautifully. And it's usually on sale which is a big bonus for me. Because it's one of the best, lots of drugstore brands try to copy it's formula (Suave being one of them in their new Professional line but I'll get to that in a bit). Biolage is great stuff...well worth the price.
5. Bed Head Dumb Blonde
Now I have to admit, I bought the stuff based on the name and color. I loved the pink shampoo...it was so pretty. And it smelled delicious. Can't say enough good things about the shampoo. It's a shame it has to be followed by the conditioner. This is easily the worst conditioner on the list. It's awful. I had to use handfuls of this stuff and still my hair was full of tangles after a shower. I was so disappointed, I never bought it again and threw it out before I emptied the bottle which this money conscious girl NEVER does.
Now that I no longer color my hair and my budget is tighter than ever, I have switched back to the drug store brands. I was surprised how good they have gotten since I last bought them. Here's my favorites.
1. Suave Professionals Color Care
Simply put, I can not believe this stuff is less than $3.00 a bottle. It's fantastic. It smells great, leaves my hair smooth and tangle free and does help prolong the highlights in my hair. It claims to be like Biolage and I agree. Even my stylist couldn't tell I was using Suave. Love it!
2. Garnier Color Protect
Now I'm going to tattle a bit...this is my husband's favorite shampoo. He loves Garnier but he uses the regular formula for healthy hair. It's smells divine and does leave your hair like silk. And the make great hair styling products, too.
3. Suave Professionals Sleek
This is my current obsession. I have never used a shampoo designed for straight hair. Since I've had my hair colored, I always used something to protect it. But now that my hair is back to its natural color, I bought this a few weeks ago. I absolutely LOVE it! It compares itself to Matrix Sleek Look which I have never used but heard great things about. But I can honestly say I have noticed a difference in my hair. It's silkier and straighter and doesn't seem as prone to frizz. Great stuff!
Some of you are probably wondering why the top selling shampoo and conditioner brand is no where on my list...Pantene. Honestly I'm not a big fan. Yes, it smells great and when you use it, your hair does seem shinier, more manageable. But for me, the improvement is short lived. Soon after using it, my hair gets dull, lifeless, faded. I'll never forget my stylist asking me what I was using on my hair about 4 years ago, before I started coloring it. I was on a Pantene kick and she said my hair was coated in gunk. She actually asked if I was using Pantene! I admitted I was and she went on to explain how it's filled with so many oils (which is why your hair looks so incredibly shiny when you start using it) that eventually will weigh you hair follicle down. She said if you use that stuff, you have to invest on a cleansing shampoo to use at least once a week (She recommended Neutrogena)to get all that oil off your hair. Needless to say, I stopped using it and have never bought Pantene again. But if you use it and see different results, please post a comment and let me know...I am always open to second chances!
Last but not least, I thought I talk briefly about the styling products I use. Since my hair is straight, I don't use much. But there are 3 products I love.
1.Garnier Sleek and Shine Smoothing Milk
This stuff works very well. It's not my absolute favorite, but if you are on a budget, it works great for straight hair.
2. Chi Silk Infusion
This stuff works great. Makes your hair silky and shiny...a great product to put on towel dried hair before blow drying. My stylist uses this and I love the way it makes my hair look.
3. Biosilk Silk Therapy
I definitely saved the best for last. Oh Biosilk how I love thee....let me count the ways!!!
Words can not describe how much I love this stuff. Whoever created it deserves a medal. It's the most incredible hair product I have ever used. You want to talk about shine? Oh my God. Forgetaboutit. Even the name is appropriate because my hair IS silk after using it. LOVE LOVE LOVE my Biosilk!
There are hundreds or hair care products on the market and I have touched on a small few. If there's a product you love and I didn't mention it here, tell me about it...I love you hear what you are using. Don't be afraid to leave me a comment!
Have a great week...here's to a week's worth of good hair days!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Best Dip Ever!
I love football.
No, I mean I LOVE LOVE LOVE football!
And although going to the games is great, the greatest thing about football is the tailgate.
If you have never tailgated, you haven't lived. Trust me on this.
And tailgating is all about being prepared. The more food you bring (and beer...of course there has to be beer! It's football for cryin' outloud!), the more successful your party.
We are season ticket holders for our local NFL team and have been tailgating with friends for years. We have eaten everything from ribs and chicken to chili and birthday cake...it's always something different and delicious.
But there is one staple that we never go without...
The greatest dip known to man: Redneck Caviar.
Yes, I know the name is silly but the taste? Holy moly.
And it's healthy...slap full of veggies!
I think it's has magical powers. Even my vegetable-hating nieces and nephews tear this stuff up.
So since today is Sunday...otherwise known as football day in my household, I figured I share this amazing recipe.
The ingredients are very simple:
1 can of black eyed peas, washed and rinsed
Make sure you use plain black eyed peas...not the one with onion & bacon added.
1 can of shoepeg corn, washed and rinsed
Now I guess you could use regular corn, but don't. The small white kernel is perfect.
1 medium white onion, finely chopped. I use a chopper...so much easier!
1 green pepper
Combine all ingredients and then add 1 bottle of Italian salad dressing. Any brand will do...if you are going healthy, add fat free dressing. I have made it both ways and you can't taste the difference.
I usually pour in about half the bottle and then stir. If you like you dip soupy, add more. I find 2/3 of the bottle makes for the perfect consistency.
I serve with a big bag of tortilla chips and beer...nothing better in the world!
There are a lot of variations on this recipe, I've seen some add cucumber, tomato, and red, yellow, and orange peppers and all that is fine and good. You can really get as creative with it as you wish.
But I prefer the basic. Why mess with a good thing?
Happy Sunday or Happy Football Day...which ever you celebrate today!
No, I mean I LOVE LOVE LOVE football!
And although going to the games is great, the greatest thing about football is the tailgate.
If you have never tailgated, you haven't lived. Trust me on this.
And tailgating is all about being prepared. The more food you bring (and beer...of course there has to be beer! It's football for cryin' outloud!), the more successful your party.
We are season ticket holders for our local NFL team and have been tailgating with friends for years. We have eaten everything from ribs and chicken to chili and birthday cake...it's always something different and delicious.
But there is one staple that we never go without...
The greatest dip known to man: Redneck Caviar.
Yes, I know the name is silly but the taste? Holy moly.
And it's healthy...slap full of veggies!
I think it's has magical powers. Even my vegetable-hating nieces and nephews tear this stuff up.
So since today is Sunday...otherwise known as football day in my household, I figured I share this amazing recipe.
The ingredients are very simple:
1 can of black eyed peas, washed and rinsed
Make sure you use plain black eyed peas...not the one with onion & bacon added.
1 can of shoepeg corn, washed and rinsed
Now I guess you could use regular corn, but don't. The small white kernel is perfect.
1 medium white onion, finely chopped. I use a chopper...so much easier!
1 green pepper
Combine all ingredients and then add 1 bottle of Italian salad dressing. Any brand will do...if you are going healthy, add fat free dressing. I have made it both ways and you can't taste the difference.
I usually pour in about half the bottle and then stir. If you like you dip soupy, add more. I find 2/3 of the bottle makes for the perfect consistency.
I serve with a big bag of tortilla chips and beer...nothing better in the world!
There are a lot of variations on this recipe, I've seen some add cucumber, tomato, and red, yellow, and orange peppers and all that is fine and good. You can really get as creative with it as you wish.
But I prefer the basic. Why mess with a good thing?
Happy Sunday or Happy Football Day...which ever you celebrate today!
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