Embarrassing Moments

I don't know why, but this morning I began thinking about an embarrassing moment that happened to me about 3 years ago.

Brace yourself...it's a dooser.

It was Christmas at my husband's grandparents house.  We enjoyed a fantastic meal, then began opening gifts.  My hubby's grandmother gave me a beautiful vintage box.  It was cream colored with a beautiful, shiny gold top.

As I opened it, I saw tissue paper wrapped neatly inside.  I opened the tissue to uncover some vintage lingerie.  Ooooh, this is pretty, I say as I begin pulling it from the box.  

Not the real stuff but a picture I found on line.

Grandma proceeds to tell me that it was hers and she would like for me to have it.  Eeeerrrk.  Say what??  My brain kind of froze realizing that this is used stuff.  Pre-loved goodies (if you get my meaning).  Stuff that's been on her body while doing stuff with her husband......now a 89 year old Grandpa.

I'm embarrassed but try to keep my cool.

I used my good manners and thanked her.

If that's not enough, she continues on by saying that her and Frank had some fun times and she remembers them vividly.
She wishes me the same.

Stop talking!

Don't E-V-E-N give me anymore details.

T-Bone was shooting a mischevious grin in my direction knowing that this was uncomfortable.  I mean, really.  Put yourself in that position.  You've got an entire family of people staring at you while you're opening a present of pre-worm lingerie...while they're all picturing Grandma and Grandpa taking care of business.  Or, even worse, they're thinking about me and T-Bone.
Not cool.

I'll be posting more embarrassing moments in the future because they're funny.
Do you have some to share??

Smile

I had some joyful things happen today from some wonderful ladies.

First, to my surprise was a nice little diddy from Sarah at No really I'm just saying.

She was ultra sweet and mailed me a card...just to spread some sunshine my way.

Thanks, Sarah.  It made me smile.

Then, my friend, Nancy from The Goat and the Kid called to check in on me and Sweet Cheeks.

She's been sick lately and Nancy took the time to call for an update.

Thanks, Nancy.  I appreciate you.

And, last, but never least, Kristy from Sosobella sent me a wonderful email saying that she was thinking of me and Sweet Cheeks

and that she would pray for us.

Mom-to-Mom...she understands how I'm feeling.

Thanks, Kristy.  Your prayers mean the world to me.

Friends are rad!!

Full House

Well, well, Sweet Cheeks has been watching Full House and so have I.

I'm really enjoying John Stamos.  Have you seen this guy??

I remember watching Full House years ago but never really noticing him.

Picture from Starpulse.com

That smile.

Don't worry.  My hubby isn't going to be mad about this post.

In fact, just last night while we were watching The Bachelor,

he made a few comments about the beautiful girls on that show.

So, we're even!

Love you, T-Bone!!

Cute

Sugar Nugget did this in school.
Age 7 and 2nd grade.

She wrote something that I didn't know:
She likes to embarress boys.

Check out the drawing of the cheeseburger.
It really looks yummy.

What about "what makes me happy".
She wrote pigs and friends.
Hey - where's Mom?

Funny.

Sweet.

Cute.

Drumroll, please

Tonight during our bathroom bedtime rituals, I was told that I could win an award.

I was thrilled and wanted to hear more from my loving 9 year old, Sweet Cheeks.

She proceeds to tell me that if there was an award for having small b**bs that

I would win!!    Imagine how happy I was!  She continues by saying that I'm

flat as a board.  And, a man probably has bigger ones than me.   Well,

just remember that we were all laughing hysterically while this was going on.

Good, clean, bathroom fun!
She's become quite a little joker.
The biggest shocker was when she named her classmate and
mentioned that she is even bigger than I am.
UUUUrrrrrk.  Put the brakes on the fun.

Did you say a 4th grader is bigger than me?

Gotta tell you...I'm not surprised.  :-)

I remember when she was 3, she asked me how she would look (specifically in that area) when she grew up.

I explained that God makes everyone in different shapes and sizes.

I remember her exact comment.  "Momma, I hope my b**bies are a lot bigger than yours."

My reply to her "me, too, honey".

So here we stand 6 years later discussing the same subject.

Good laughs!

Good memories!

Good fun!

Just singin' in the rain

Rain brings sunshine to my girls.

Not the big, hot ball of fire in the sky type,

but a sunshiny attitude, if you will.

A free spirit that leads them to the out of doors to play in the rain.

Sew this!

My dearest, T-Bone, was shocked to see that I was using

Sweet Cheek's new sewing machine.

He ran to get the camera and snapped these shots.

She said:  What?  I can sew.  I took Home Ec in middle school back in 1973.

(Maybe I should have left that detail out.)

He said:  This is camera worthy.  I've never seen you sew in the almost 15 years that I've known you.

She said:  Well, check me out.

It was a simple task.

Sweet Cheeks had a rip in the side seam of her shirt.

A simple, straight line and....done.

I gotta tell you.  It felt great to sew.  What next?

If you're a sewer, give me an idea of something

S-U-P-E-R easy that I could do next.

Step aside, Sweet Cheeks, this may become my machine.

Vroom, Vroom.

Tooth Fairy

My oldest lost a tooth first thing in the morning.

It's about tooth #11, I think.

No surprises.

Wiggle it until it's ready and bingo....the tooth comes out.

Off to school she went with a new gap in her teeth.

You can't see it because it's on the lower rack.

At bedtime, Sweet Cheeks got her tooth all ready in the zipper bag.

Placed it underneath her pillow and got tucked in.

She said "Mom, is the Tooth Fairy is real?"

Ahhhhh, what should I say?

I'm not ready to answer this at bedtime.

Why now?

I've been playing along with all this imaginary stuff since they were born.

It's fun.  It's innocent.

I love it!

She's in 4th grade and the kids talk.

Most kids don't believe in that stuff.

So, I ask myself...

Should I be lying to my girls?

How long should I continue this facade?

I can't believe she's almost 10.

All these things were sPiNnInG in my brain.

So.....

I fessed up.

It all came pouring out.

She wasn't that surprised.

She said that the idea of the tooth fairy coming in her room

at night actually creaped her out.

I told her that she had to keep this VERY PRIVATE and

not blow it for others who believe, like her younger sister.

Maybe she was frightened because the image in her mind looked like this:

After she found out the news, she said to me and the Mr.,

"that's all I want to hear about tonight".

T-Bone and I figure that she was already wondering about Santa.

In the end, I put $20 bill (it's usually a buck around here)

inside a letter from her tooth fairy, Esmerelda.

I've called her Tooth Fairy that name since tooth #1 was lost.

Esmerelda always writes a hand-written letter.

The $20 was to help with the shock of the news.

She acted surprised in the morning when she looked under her pillow...

but only because her sister was standing right there.

Good-bye, Tooth Fairy.

At least I've still got a couple of years with Sugar Nugget.

Brussel Sprouts

I've been seeing a few blogs mention brussel sprouts.  I checked them out but never once thought about buying some of these round, little cabbage look-a-like veggies.  I ate brussel sprouts once about 30 years ago when my boyfriend at the time was eating some.

Me no likey....so I never went back again.

During a quick stop at Trader Joes I noticed this branch of cute little nubbies and didn't recognize what they were.  A quick look at the tag and I realized that they were brussel sprouts.

In a attempt to get my girls to try new foods, I thought this branch of goodness might be a conversation piece, fun for them to see....and, hopefully, eat.  The purchase was made.  The branch was placed carefully in the car for its first ride to our pad.

So, here's the funny part.  I took the groceries into the house.  The brussel sprouts weren't bagged because they're A HUGE BRANCH that won't fit into any TJ brown bag.  I carried it in like a baton...doing some bustin' and movin' of my own while making up a song.  The lyrics went like this:

Brussel sprouts are cool

Brussel sprouts are funny

Brussel sprouts will be yummy

You just have to stick 'em in your mouth

The girls and my hubby had to take their turn handling the green stick and were actually feeling the love, and I secretly think that they were hoping that these morsels would be yummy (because Mom was making a big deal of it).

My recipe was made up on the spot:

Pinch off brussel sprouts from their adorable stick home

Cut off nub

Wash thoroughly and remove dead leaves

Shake to dry

Dredge in canola oil (some may want olive oil but I sometimes think olive oil just takes over in taste)

Season with Crazy Mixed Up salt

Microwave for 3 minutes

YUM - YUM - YUM

These babies were yummy.

The seasoning was just very basic, but delicious.

Guess who liked them?

Just me.

Not the hubby.

Not the girls.

Just me.

The moral of the story is to buy something new, try something new and have fun doing the whole thing.

I suggest you buy a branch and see what happens.

And, be sure to tell me about it.

2010 Phrase

If you'll notice, I changed my header picture.
My 2 baby girls are now 7 and 9 years old.
Their baby pictures help remind me of why I chose my phrase for the year.
While searching through photos, I began to realize that my girls are almost half way to graduating from high school and going to college.
IT CAN'T BE!

As an older Mom, I notice that I'm a bit more flexible than some parents may be on what I consider insignificant stuff.  For example, from time-to-time, I will allow my kids .25 to buy a little dumpy toy from one of those vending machines.
It just happened on Sunday.
I know they're a waste of money.
I know my kids don't need them.
But, it did make them smile....and it's only a quarter.
Cheap entertainment in my book.
(Disclaimer:  I do not let my kids have everything they want and they are not spoiled.)

I tell T-Bone that we may not be grandparents because of our age.
If my daughters wait until they're 30 to marry
(which is the recommended age from us), then I'll be 70.

SAY WHAT???
You've got to be K-I-D-D-I-N-G!

God willing, I'll be in good shape and very mobile.
But I don't think I'll be the same type of grandma that a 50 year would be.

So, why not one word, you may ask?
I just kept coming back to a phrase in my search for one word.

Live for today!

My considerations included:

appreciate

(do laundry)

thankful

(get organized)

gratitude

efficient

(get back to work)

inspire
joy
peacefulness
growth

cheerful

(clean up this messy house)

Does anyone else have trouble focusing, like me??

While I was soul searching, I kept thinking about living for today.

And, in my true multi-tasking form, I figured that many of the key words that I was considering actually fall under this "live for today" umbrella....

inspire my kids - TODAY

appreciate where my kids are TODAY
be cheerful - TODAY Is it just me or does anyone else notice that the Mom's tone/mood affects the whole family?  
appreciate my husband - TODAY
 
be thankful for all the people in my life - TODAY
 
show gratitude - TODAY

Enjoy living for today!

Beautiful Blogger Award to me? Thanks!

I am very honored to be given this award by my good friend,

Janna, Summer and Sarah.

Friday's are great!!!!

Now, I must list 7 random things about myself

and then nominate 7 other blogs for this prestigious award.

Let the randonmess begin...

1.  Noodle soup was spilt all over my couch and remote control last night

about 9:45pm.

2.  My hubby and I share our bed with....wait for it....our 3 dogs.

I know that's totally wierd for most of you to read.

I used to think that people who had 3 or more pets were really strange.

Now, I'm one of them.

I've been known to stop and help a runaway dog find its home in our neighborhood many a times.

I JUST L-O-V-E dogs.

3.  I'm sarcastic and try to be funny but it doesn't always work.

4.  My beloved hubby and I met while on a business trip and then had a long distance relationship for a year before I moved to sunny California.  While dating, we were able to see each other every weekend because AWA had a $39 RT special from AZ to CA.  Thank you AWA for helping us fall in love and nurture a long-lasting relationship.

5.  The only house cleaning I enjoy is scouring my kitchen sink with

a harsh abrasive that makes it shine like new.

6.  When I look in the mirror, I actually see myself 15 years ago

and 10 lbs. lighter.

7.  In high school, I was a pom pom girl and loved being in the spotlight.

I continued dancing and performing until I was 21.

I was a Phoenix Giant-ette, which is kind of like a dancer/performer for a baseball team.

I tried out to be a Phoenix Suns dancer and didn't make it.

Now I wonder how I ever got down to do the slips or up to do a leap.

Now, the good news....nominating 7 others for this award.

Some of my favorites have already been nominated, like The Goat and the Kid, No Really, I'm just saying, On the Brighter Side, SoSoBella and All a Flutter.  So I am giving some love to these fantastic ladies:

Definitely Maybe

Butterflies and Dragonflies

Simply Us Family

Sugar, Spice, and a little bit of life

Our Daily Big Top

1 Funky Woman

Graceful

Can't wait to learn some random-bits-of-goodies from you all.

Rack or Rack-free?

My excitement was out of control as I drove to my Orthodontist

for my 10:30 appointment.

I kept asking myself, will they come off or won't they?

This picture was taken at 10am just before heading out the door.

Got my fingers crossed.

The picture below was taken around 7pm after dinner was served,

dishes were washed and the kids were bathed and in jammies.

What do you think?

Oh, yeah!!

My teeth are free!!

Ah, it felt soooo good to run my tongue along my teeth and

not bleed from railroad tracks.

Flossing was the best.

I wanted to keep doing it all day long.

It slid inbetween my teeth like it was the first time - if you will.

(Hee Hee)

I was really surprised at how white they looked.

I expected some serious coffee stains.

Back to my Ortho in 2 weeks for my retainer.

I vow to wear my retainer F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!

The last meal

Oh my goodness - I'm so excited!!

Today may be the day.

Here's my last meal before the possibility of my rack being removed...

It's one of my favorite breakfasts and super easy to make....

plus it's low-fat and only 4 points (if you count Weight Watchers points).

I call it my Scrumptious Egg Scramble.

- take one egg

- about 5 cherubs - cut in half

- 2 slices of turkey

- 1 tbsp of feta

(or more, if I'm feeling naughty)

Scramble the eggs in your pan (saves an extra dirty bowl)

Cook it until mostly done.

Throw in your chopped turkey and feta

Add cut tomatoes last so they don't get too mushy.

YUM YUM!!

I've exercised.

I've eaten.

I'm having my coffee right this second.

Now, off to the shower.

Check back in later for the good news....hopefully!

Will they be gone or won't they??

I'm talking about my rack.

It may be all gone on January 7th.

You may think that I'm referring to some perky friends up top.

Oh, no, I'm not.

My rack, as I've so interestingly named it, is my pure, shiny silver that sits upon each and every tooth in my mouth.

Put on your sunglasses and take a closer look...

(Oh, where is the airbrush when you need it?)

Since I'm not one of the lucky girls who has a decent, eye catching rack,

I named my braces just that.

I figure that my braces do the same thing.

They draw the eye.

They bring a blank stare.
It may even be a turn-on to some.
Like the time I went into a undisclosed location and the guy who
worked there said "I like your braces.  They're sexy."
Did he just make a move on an old lady with braces?
He must be hard up.

When I first got these babies, back in March of 2008, you wouldn't find me opening my mouth for a big smile.  In fact, most of the pictures were a mouth-closed smile.  But, not any more.  I'm somewhat proud of my smile.  I don't hold back on showing these pearly silvers to all who stand in front of me....even though it shocks some folks.
 

Initially, I was in shock.

These things take up a lot of room in my mouth.

I'll bet you remember how they feel.

A not-so-friendly look at having braces, in case you don't remember:

Bummer #1:  The sores in my mouth from the metal rubbing.

Bummer #2:  I began spitting a lot when I talk.
(TMI, right?)

Bummer #3:  The lovely food that remains stuck after a delicious meal.

Bummer #4:  The not-so-sexy feeling while you're kissin' your man.

and the top of the list...

Bummer #5:  Setting off metal detectors in places like CVS, Target, Old Navy, Ralphs, Rite Aid....and more.
Now, that's just good, clean fun.
My kids would look back and say "we're not stealing anything."

or is this the top of the list?...
Bummer #6:  My neighbor called me Ugly Betty.  Yeah, that's right.  I wear glasses and had braces so I fit the bill.  Major bummer.

Well, it may all be gone soon.

I'll post again on 1/7 with the big news.

Will they be gone or won't they?

Stay tuned!

Party like it's 1999 - or 2010.

We had a great NYE with some friends.
The party started early because we've all got kids under the age of 9.

The kids all played together.

No spats.

Just fun.
Tossing balloons in the air, playing with their DSis, watching a little Disney channel, listening to music, eating, playing barbies, playing with our doggies....anything that brought them happiness.

The adults enjoyed...

Great food.

Great conversation.

Taboo.
(That game is a blast!)

Lots of laughter.

At 9pm, we watched the ball drop and rang in the new year with millions of people in NYC.
The kids toasted with sparkling cider.

Then came a surprise!
Swimming, anyone??
Oh, yeah - there was even an unexpected swim-fest after 9:30pm for those who dared to jump in (who's kidding who?  the pool was a comfortable, heated 84 degrees).....and yes, you're right.  It was only the kids.
It's great to live in CA where the pool and jacuzzi can be enjoyed practically year-round...even on NYE.

After everyone left, the girls wanted to stay up until midnight to bang pots in our front yard.
THEY MADE IT.
It was a close call for Sugar Nugget who was dosing off at 11:45.  But, she did it!!

Happy 2010!

May this year bring all my blogging friends joy, peace, simplicity, accomplishments, humor and love to you and your families.

Christmastime 2009. A blessed time.

Whew  - what a whirlwind!
Our Christmas celebration started on 12/12 and yet seemed so quick as I now reflect back on the wonderful moments that we shared with family, feasting and fun!

This is the longest blog I have done to date.
A lot to cover.
A lot to remember.
A lot for which to be thankful.

The season started on 12/12 here in CA.
We celebrated my hubby's birthday, my mother-in-law's birthday
and Christmas all in one!
Yes, we are multi-taskers.

It was a great day.
Yummy food.
Conversation.
Gifts!

Proud Papa with Sweet Cheeks.

Sugar Nugget and Grandma.

The girls each got a suitcase from Dad and me.
There were some goodies inside, too.

Grandma and Papa gave the girls money, an ornament

and a cute plastic glass that has flashing lights.

Phase one, complete!

Phase two....here we come.

Our annual trip to Arizona went off without a hitch.  We stayed with one of my sisters, her husband and their adorable 2 year old daughter in Scottsdale.  She'll be pictured in many of these photos.  My girls just adore her and LOVE spending time with her.

Our first order of business...a trip to the mall to visit Santa.

And, the dreaded moment when you put a 2 year old on Santa's lap....

She wasn't happy.  But, we got the picture, anyway.

My Mom took us to a wonderful show at a local church

It was grand and truly amazing!!

They had live animals strutting across the stage...camels, an elephant, a zebra, a lion (caged).

They had flying angels.

It was quite a production.

The show had many chapters but ended with the

manger scene and the birth of the baby Jesus.

This was a true "10" in my book.

I'd like to go back again next year.

Thanks, Mom, for the great idea.

Grandma LL invited us to her home for some italian food yummy-ness.
She is the best italian cook....ever!!!

She makes this delicious red pasta sauce that is out of this world.

Wish I could give you all a taste.

We opened gifts and enjoyed our time together.

The girls got Zhu Zhu pets, new PJ's, money and candy!!

Thanks, Grandma LL.

When we returned to my sister's house, cookies and carrots were prepared for Santa and his reindeer.

Ah, Christmas morning was a blast!  Rushing to the tree to see what Santa brought is one of the greatest moments!  To see my girls ripping into their gifts with that innocence and excitement is priceless.

For Sweet Cheeks it was a sewing machine.  It's been a wonderful gift so far.  She's made pillows and shirts that look like tube tops (yes - I said tube tops) for stuffed animals and even head bands.  We'll get her some sewing lessons and she may have her own Etsy shop soon because her creativitiy exploding.

Sugar Nugget got exactly what she ordered;  Chixos.

She was a happy camper.

The girls got tons of other stuff;

Wii games

DSi games

Bath goodies

Movies

Money for their college funds. (yeah)

Jewelry

Family hung out all day long.
Music. Sports. Laughter. Talking. Board Games.
A fantastic day!

We headed up north to Prescott for a cold, white weekend.

My sister and her husband just bought a 2nd home...6500 sf of lusciousness that overlooks a golf course.....and was luckily covered in snow!

The girls LoVeD the snow!!

They had a snow ball fight.

Packed some snow for a little snowman.

Check out the pine needles they used a hair.

The eyes and buttons are mud.

(Man, it's bright out there.)

Ran as fast as they could.

Made snow angels.

They came out beautifully.

Paved new trails.

We talked about God's creations.

The nature he so carefully thought out for us.

We enjoyed the mountain air and the pine trees.

We are blessed!!

I've been enjoying your blogs and hearing about your holiday time, too.