Kids are growing up fast. Blame it on the media, blame it on parents, blame it on friends, point is it's happening. Take my kids for example. Patch did our taxes this year. No joke. We are getting a $25,000 refund. Anyone want to hire him?
Mini-me loves Disney princesses. Her new favorite is Ariel. I admit to showing her the first princess movie at age 2. It was Cinderella, followed closely by Sleeping Beauty. Everything she does is now related to being a princess. Even when she pretends to be a superhero, she's a princess superhero.
Flower went through the princess phase early as well. When I was a kid, the princess phase started a little later. Maybe kindergarten. So what's become the new princess phase for kids in the second grade? Being a rock star.
Everything Flower does now is because she wants to be a rock star. She cuts holes in her shirts so her thumbs can stick through (that way they stay on your wrists while you're rocking it out on a guitar solo). She wears shirts with sassy messages like "My dad rocks" or "I didn't do it." She wears hot pink instead of Sleeping Beauty pink, and her Barbies play in a band instead of go to the ball.
Flower has stayed pretty grounded in reality, though, because she has yet to ask to learn to play an instrument. Maybe she'll be the lead singer.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Photo Friday?
I was hoping to finish Patch's quilt last night, take a picture, and post it today. I had it all planned out -- first I would watch Ugly Betty, with commercials, followed by Grey's Anatomy, with Curly coming in to watch Wednesday's episode of Lost at the end of the evening. It was to be a television-watching and quilt-binding extravaganza. Then the power went out at about 9:30. We hoped it would be momentary, but it lasted for nearly 2 hours. We lit some candles, and I attempted to go back to my roots and quilt by candlelight, but instead we realized why people used to go to bed at 9. Too dark. So look for a picture next week. It's looking really cute, if I do say so myself.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Three for Thursday
Things happen in 3s. Here are mine.
Here is my list of my 3 favorite musicals. Hopefully it will make you want to sing!
1. Music Man. From "Trouble" to the Wells Fargo song, this is one catchy show. I also enjoy seeing all the different versions, because there is a different take in each one if Harold Hill really loves Marian. You know, the librarian.
Before I move on to #2, let's all act like Grecian Urns. trickle trickle trickle
2. Wicked. While it is an undisputed fact that no one mourns the wicked, this show really makes you think about who the wicked one was. Was it Galinda with a "ga" (flip flip)? Was it Elpheba? Was it her sister, the witch of the east who was just bitter a munchkin turned her down? Or was it the wizard, who wanted to control Animals and turn them into animals? It's a show that entertains, while also making you think. "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
3. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This is a show I could watch over and over again. There's just something about singing about going courtin' and stealing a woman that just warms your heart. The main point of the show is that a woman can forgive anything if her man is cute enough and can dance the dickens around the town boys.
Here is my list of my 3 favorite musicals. Hopefully it will make you want to sing!
1. Music Man. From "Trouble" to the Wells Fargo song, this is one catchy show. I also enjoy seeing all the different versions, because there is a different take in each one if Harold Hill really loves Marian. You know, the librarian.
Before I move on to #2, let's all act like Grecian Urns. trickle trickle trickle
2. Wicked. While it is an undisputed fact that no one mourns the wicked, this show really makes you think about who the wicked one was. Was it Galinda with a "ga" (flip flip)? Was it Elpheba? Was it her sister, the witch of the east who was just bitter a munchkin turned her down? Or was it the wizard, who wanted to control Animals and turn them into animals? It's a show that entertains, while also making you think. "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? Because I knew you, I have been changed for good."
3. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This is a show I could watch over and over again. There's just something about singing about going courtin' and stealing a woman that just warms your heart. The main point of the show is that a woman can forgive anything if her man is cute enough and can dance the dickens around the town boys.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Arden Ganomes
There was a very interesting story in the Frederick News Post this week about a missing gnome. While the world is full of depressing stories, I thought I would share this one with you for a little levity. Instead of just linking to the story, I will put it here, in its entirety. And as always, thank you, Frederick News Post, for putting things in perspective...
If Cara Huether's gnome is a victim of gnome-napping, then the stunt has gone far enough.
Huether's gnome, which she named Charlie, has been gone from her garden for a year and it's time the prank ended and Charlie came home, she said.
She's posted signs around Frederick asking if anyone has information about the garden gnome. She posted the signs about 2 feet tall -- the height of her missing gnome, and put photos of her gnome on the sign.
Charlie is wearing a red shirt, blue pants and blue hat, and has a beard. He's holding a lantern. He's made of concrete, and probably weighs about 15 pounds, Huether said.
"I thought when he first disappeared that some kid would send me some pictures of him traveling around, but he was taken a year ago," she said.
Gnome-napping has taken on a life of its own, according to the website About.com. Travel-planning website Travelocity started its own roaming gnome in 2003. Since then the Travelocity gnome, which looks a bit like a tiny Victorian Santa, has been photographed all over the world. He's even starred in a few commercials, and is pictured on shirts, mugs and magnets that Travelocity sells.
In the 2001 movie "Amelie," the protagonist sends her father's gnome off on his own world tour, and is photographed at many landmarks.
Gnome-napping goes back further, at least to the 1980s in Australia. The tradition migrated to England and later America. Some gnome-nappers are reportedly students on spring break.
Huether, 32, has loved gnomes since she was a child. Her mother gave her the missing gnome 10 years ago, just before Huether graduated from college. When she and her husband married and moved into a house on 14th Street two years ago, Huether displayed the gnome in her garden in front of the house.
The couple lives close to Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, and Huether thinks the culprit could be a high school student.
"He's been gone for a while," Huether said. "I thought it was a senior prank. I'm hoping some kid will go off to college and his mother will see it in his room and return it."
She decided to post the signs hoping that someone, somewhere might have information.
Her mother bought the gnome at roadside stand in Pennsylvania.
"My husband and I are huge gnome fans," she said. "We have a lot of gnome-esque things like pajamas and little stuff."
The gnome lived among hosta and miniature pine trees. When the Huethers were away on their honeymoon, friends babysat their house and the gnome, and took him all over Frederick. They surprised the couple with pictures of the gnome's adventures.
"He's one of a kind," Huether said. "He's special. He actually had meaning. He is an important part of my life."
If Cara Huether's gnome is a victim of gnome-napping, then the stunt has gone far enough.
Huether's gnome, which she named Charlie, has been gone from her garden for a year and it's time the prank ended and Charlie came home, she said.
She's posted signs around Frederick asking if anyone has information about the garden gnome. She posted the signs about 2 feet tall -- the height of her missing gnome, and put photos of her gnome on the sign.
Charlie is wearing a red shirt, blue pants and blue hat, and has a beard. He's holding a lantern. He's made of concrete, and probably weighs about 15 pounds, Huether said.
"I thought when he first disappeared that some kid would send me some pictures of him traveling around, but he was taken a year ago," she said.
Gnome-napping has taken on a life of its own, according to the website About.com. Travel-planning website Travelocity started its own roaming gnome in 2003. Since then the Travelocity gnome, which looks a bit like a tiny Victorian Santa, has been photographed all over the world. He's even starred in a few commercials, and is pictured on shirts, mugs and magnets that Travelocity sells.
In the 2001 movie "Amelie," the protagonist sends her father's gnome off on his own world tour, and is photographed at many landmarks.
Gnome-napping goes back further, at least to the 1980s in Australia. The tradition migrated to England and later America. Some gnome-nappers are reportedly students on spring break.
Huether, 32, has loved gnomes since she was a child. Her mother gave her the missing gnome 10 years ago, just before Huether graduated from college. When she and her husband married and moved into a house on 14th Street two years ago, Huether displayed the gnome in her garden in front of the house.
The couple lives close to Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, and Huether thinks the culprit could be a high school student.
"He's been gone for a while," Huether said. "I thought it was a senior prank. I'm hoping some kid will go off to college and his mother will see it in his room and return it."
She decided to post the signs hoping that someone, somewhere might have information.
Her mother bought the gnome at roadside stand in Pennsylvania.
"My husband and I are huge gnome fans," she said. "We have a lot of gnome-esque things like pajamas and little stuff."
The gnome lived among hosta and miniature pine trees. When the Huethers were away on their honeymoon, friends babysat their house and the gnome, and took him all over Frederick. They surprised the couple with pictures of the gnome's adventures.
"He's one of a kind," Huether said. "He's special. He actually had meaning. He is an important part of my life."
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Letter to the Men of Frederick
To Whom it May Concern:
I know it is warm. Spring has finally arrived. One might even clasify this weather as "hot." However, it is not hot enough to take off your shirts. As I walked home with my two young children today, I was surprised to find a young man who had lost his shirt while walking the dog. Certainly 81 degrees is not hot enough to remove ones shirt while walking the dog, so I must assume that he met with foul play. Over the weekend I also saw several men doing yard work, again missing the clothes to cover their upper body. I am sure going topless feels nice. A cool breeze across a bare (or hairy) chest must feel good. But, please, let's confine that look to backyards and/or swimming pools. It is never hot enough to remove clothing in public, no matter what Nelly says.
Jana
I know it is warm. Spring has finally arrived. One might even clasify this weather as "hot." However, it is not hot enough to take off your shirts. As I walked home with my two young children today, I was surprised to find a young man who had lost his shirt while walking the dog. Certainly 81 degrees is not hot enough to remove ones shirt while walking the dog, so I must assume that he met with foul play. Over the weekend I also saw several men doing yard work, again missing the clothes to cover their upper body. I am sure going topless feels nice. A cool breeze across a bare (or hairy) chest must feel good. But, please, let's confine that look to backyards and/or swimming pools. It is never hot enough to remove clothing in public, no matter what Nelly says.
Jana
Monday, April 23, 2007
Busy Weekend
Where have I been? I've missed me.
Mini-me broke a tooth on Saturday. It was an unfortunate collision with a swing. The tooth fairy came, and brought her a Barbie DVD. Why not a quarter? She has no idea what a quarter is.
Here is her new smile. Yikes. It's just a baby tooth, so the new one will grow in perfectly. After this weekend, we are instating a new policy of mouthguards while playing.
After the mouth massacre, we went up to the Cactoctin Mountains to hike Cunningham Falls. It's a mile roundtrip, but as I was shirpa to Patch, it felt much longer and harder.
Round out the weekend with a healthy dose of church on Sunday, and you have yourself a busy weekend. We are so glad the weather is beautiful for the next few days. We have a park play-date today and more fun outside for the rest of the week. Spring might finally be here!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
What Would YOU Do?
Today, as I was getting lunch ready for my little munchkins, I got an opinion phone call. Never one to shy away from giving my opinion, I agreed to the survey. They asked me about magazines. I don't read many magazines. The only one I had read in the past month was People, and I just read a page or two this morning at my Jenny appointment. Then the nice man asked if I would be willing to read O on Monday, April 30 and accept a phone call the next day to answer some questions. They would even send me the magazine for free. He asked for my name, which I gave him. Odd thing was that I didn't have to spell the last name for him. He already knew. My last name is not easy, so anyone who can spell it has it in front of them. A flag went up. He asked for my address. If he had my name, wouldn't he have it? Now I know an address is easy to get, but still I was wary about giving it to him. So, I gave him Curly's office address. He asked if it was an apartment or a home and I said it was a business. I was put on hold only to have him come back and say "We can't send it to a business." Then he hung up.
So my question is, what would you do? Would you have given your address? Do you think he was sketchy? I could hear sounds in the background of other callers, but being as suspicious as I am, that could have been a movie or some taped noises. Opinions, please.
So my question is, what would you do? Would you have given your address? Do you think he was sketchy? I could hear sounds in the background of other callers, but being as suspicious as I am, that could have been a movie or some taped noises. Opinions, please.
Weight Loss Wednesday
Cheesecake: 1, Weight Loss: 0.
And on the topic of inappropriate crushes, I have a major crush on Apolo Anton Ohno. As I watched his samba for the third or fourth time last night, I realized that I might have a little problem. In the 2002 Olympics, I would sit glued to the tv as he would do his short track races. Curly and I were newly dating at that point, and I'm sure he thought I would get over it. I have not. I still love to watch him race, and now I love to watch him dance. It's not a psycho crush. I vote for him, but I don't email him. Plus, I think he and his partner would make a very cute couple. So, in conclusion, vote for my boyfriend, Apolo Anton Ohno, so that he can win Dancing with the Stars.
And on the topic of inappropriate crushes, I have a major crush on Apolo Anton Ohno. As I watched his samba for the third or fourth time last night, I realized that I might have a little problem. In the 2002 Olympics, I would sit glued to the tv as he would do his short track races. Curly and I were newly dating at that point, and I'm sure he thought I would get over it. I have not. I still love to watch him race, and now I love to watch him dance. It's not a psycho crush. I vote for him, but I don't email him. Plus, I think he and his partner would make a very cute couple. So, in conclusion, vote for my boyfriend, Apolo Anton Ohno, so that he can win Dancing with the Stars.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
We Came, We Saw, We Bought
Our NYC trip was a raging success. We left Friday morning at about 10:30 and arrived in the city around 3. On the way up, we all discussed our weight loss goals, and I thought this would be a dessert-free weekend. Then the chocolate came out. That's when I realized that chocolate would not be sacrificed in the name of weight loss.
We went to the Manhattan Temple on Friday night. It was beautiful. The detail work is just breathtaking. My favorite part are the door handles, which are flames, just like the Statue of Liberty. On the way back to the hotel, we picked up cheesecake. Yum.
Saturday morning, we headed out to Queens to visit my cousin. She made us a delicious brunch. Her youngest was sick, so we didn't get to see her, or Jason, but we did run into them on they way out. After filling up on pancakes on eggs, we went to Canal Street, land of knock-offs and hot items. In order to not incriminate myself, I may or may not have bought a Coach bag that may or may not be real. In any case, it was cheaper than the bag I saw at Target that I liked.
In a NYC first for me, I stood in line at TKTS for discount tickets. I really wanted to see The Drowsy Chaperone, but I did have a list of backups in case that didn't work out. We were in line with a woman and her husband from Cleveland who were Jewish and rich and wanted us to know that. He was a buyer for Saks, who apparently was very famous. She kept telling him to go in and "just tell them who you are." Then she said she doesn't go to parties at her friends homes because of who her husband is, because it wouldn't be fair to her friends. We had no idea what that meant, but she said it so we would be impressed, so we acted impressed. Maren, Rebeccah, and I were able to get in to see Chaperone, while Judith and Lenore went to the opera. I couldn't have been happier with Chaperone. It was everything I hoped for and more. I don't know if the other two liked it as well, but I was happy.
Sunday a Nor'Easter settled in and we went home. I was very tired, but my family was happy to have me home. Hopefully they'll let me go again.
We went to the Manhattan Temple on Friday night. It was beautiful. The detail work is just breathtaking. My favorite part are the door handles, which are flames, just like the Statue of Liberty. On the way back to the hotel, we picked up cheesecake. Yum.
Saturday morning, we headed out to Queens to visit my cousin. She made us a delicious brunch. Her youngest was sick, so we didn't get to see her, or Jason, but we did run into them on they way out. After filling up on pancakes on eggs, we went to Canal Street, land of knock-offs and hot items. In order to not incriminate myself, I may or may not have bought a Coach bag that may or may not be real. In any case, it was cheaper than the bag I saw at Target that I liked.
In a NYC first for me, I stood in line at TKTS for discount tickets. I really wanted to see The Drowsy Chaperone, but I did have a list of backups in case that didn't work out. We were in line with a woman and her husband from Cleveland who were Jewish and rich and wanted us to know that. He was a buyer for Saks, who apparently was very famous. She kept telling him to go in and "just tell them who you are." Then she said she doesn't go to parties at her friends homes because of who her husband is, because it wouldn't be fair to her friends. We had no idea what that meant, but she said it so we would be impressed, so we acted impressed. Maren, Rebeccah, and I were able to get in to see Chaperone, while Judith and Lenore went to the opera. I couldn't have been happier with Chaperone. It was everything I hoped for and more. I don't know if the other two liked it as well, but I was happy.
Sunday a Nor'Easter settled in and we went home. I was very tired, but my family was happy to have me home. Hopefully they'll let me go again.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
On My Way
Tomorrow I am on my way outta town. My girl friends and I are going to New York City for the weekend. The city will never be the same. Neither will we. I have vowed to not shop til I drop, but to get some culture in my life. So hopefully I will get my fill at the Met, or with the Naked Cowboy in Times Square. Either way, the rules are as follows: We will only go to those places and see those things that are not in Frederick.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Weight Loss Wednesday
I am a total loser today. Yea! I am down from my up of last week, and then some. Total loss is 5 pounds. A lot of that I can contribute to the bloated nonsense of Yasmin last week. But, my pill is regulating itself and I was not bloated this week. In losing, I am a winner.
When I got home, I got a call from the library that I had won a sponge throwing contest at gallery walk on Saturday. Gallery walk happens each first Saturday of the month. Stores stay open later and special activities go on. This month, the library was sponsoring the walk. So, at the Moby Dick station, I played a sponge throwing game, that was for grown-ups, and won a $100 gift certificate to the PariSpa. I think I may get a facial. That would be nice.
When I got home, I got a call from the library that I had won a sponge throwing contest at gallery walk on Saturday. Gallery walk happens each first Saturday of the month. Stores stay open later and special activities go on. This month, the library was sponsoring the walk. So, at the Moby Dick station, I played a sponge throwing game, that was for grown-ups, and won a $100 gift certificate to the PariSpa. I think I may get a facial. That would be nice.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Three for Thursday
Things happen in 3s. Here are mine:
Here's my list of 3 books I am looking forward to reading in the upcoming months:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have not yet pre-ordered it. I haven't decided if I want to go to the Harry Potter Party at Borders, or if I want it delivered to my door early on July 21. Decisions, decisions.
2. Whitehorn Woods, by Maeve Binchy. I just love her characters. She makes me want to go to Ireland and be one of them.
3. Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult. I am a big Picoult fan, so naturally I want to read all of hers. This one is a tad controversial, about a school shooting, but her writing is so compelling that she makes even the touchiest subjects riveting.
Here's my list of 3 books I am looking forward to reading in the upcoming months:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I have not yet pre-ordered it. I haven't decided if I want to go to the Harry Potter Party at Borders, or if I want it delivered to my door early on July 21. Decisions, decisions.
2. Whitehorn Woods, by Maeve Binchy. I just love her characters. She makes me want to go to Ireland and be one of them.
3. Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult. I am a big Picoult fan, so naturally I want to read all of hers. This one is a tad controversial, about a school shooting, but her writing is so compelling that she makes even the touchiest subjects riveting.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Weight Loss Wednesday
I had the best dessert -- Chocolate Souffle Cake. The best part was that it was only 79 calories and less than 1 gram of fat. I got it out of Cooking Light. I think I need to subscribe...These were so easy and so chocolatey. Very do-able on a weeknight.
4 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon AP flour
1 1/2 tablespoon Dutch processed cocoa
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon powdered sugar.
Heat oven to 350
Spray 2 (6-oz) ramekins with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar.
Combine 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. Spoon chocolate mixture into a medium bowl; cool 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
Place egg white in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat). Gently stir 1/4 of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Sharply tap dishes 2 or 3 times to level. Place dishes on baking sheet; bake at 350 for 15 minutes or utnil puffy and set. Sprinkle each souffle with 1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar. Serve immediately.
4 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon AP flour
1 1/2 tablespoon Dutch processed cocoa
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg white
1 teaspoon powdered sugar.
Heat oven to 350
Spray 2 (6-oz) ramekins with cooking spray; sprinkle each with 3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar.
Combine 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa, and milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook 2 minutes, stirring until smooth. Spoon chocolate mixture into a medium bowl; cool 4 minutes. Stir in vanilla.
Place egg white in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form (do not overbeat). Gently stir 1/4 of egg white mixture into chocolate mixture; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Spoon mixture into prepared dishes. Sharply tap dishes 2 or 3 times to level. Place dishes on baking sheet; bake at 350 for 15 minutes or utnil puffy and set. Sprinkle each souffle with 1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar. Serve immediately.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Last night was so beautiful, Mini-me, Patch, and I walked down to pick up Curly from work. I love that he works 7 blocks away. When we arrived home (with me wishing I had a Joovy), I noticed a smell in the kitchen that was a bit off. I had just cleaned the kitchen that day, complete with a floor mop (well, swiffer mop), so I knew there was only one thing it could be. Poor Zoe had gone belly up. I was momentarily sad for poor Zoe. Would anyone like some fish food?
Later that evening, the world shifted on its axis, creating a situation where I, who know nothing about sports, won my family NCAA bracket. I beat my Grandpa, who I think has won more than he's lost in recent years. I beat my brothers, my sister, my parents, my grandma, my cousin, their friends. I beat my husband. Badly. I may never win again, and that's okay with me. It was fun to win this year. Pride is indeed a great currency.
Later that evening, the world shifted on its axis, creating a situation where I, who know nothing about sports, won my family NCAA bracket. I beat my Grandpa, who I think has won more than he's lost in recent years. I beat my brothers, my sister, my parents, my grandma, my cousin, their friends. I beat my husband. Badly. I may never win again, and that's okay with me. It was fun to win this year. Pride is indeed a great currency.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Project Update
I have been working really hard on my quilting, but have no pictures to show for it. I've been too busy with my needle and thread!
We had a really fun weekend. On Saturday we went to the ward Easter egg hunt. It's on a farm about 10 minutes from our house. The Sunbeam's section was way down at the end of a long driveway. If you know Mini-me, you know that the farther away from a potty she gets, the more she has to go. She thought it was quite fun to go in the grass. Both she and Flower came out with a good haul.
Patch is teething again. He had a fever on and off yesterday and just wanted to hang out in his car carrier, of all places. He feels much better today, but still no upper teeth.
The tempurature today is 81, tomorrow it's supposed to be the same. Of course that means a chance of snow Thursday for the areas near us...Enjoy it while you can!
We had a really fun weekend. On Saturday we went to the ward Easter egg hunt. It's on a farm about 10 minutes from our house. The Sunbeam's section was way down at the end of a long driveway. If you know Mini-me, you know that the farther away from a potty she gets, the more she has to go. She thought it was quite fun to go in the grass. Both she and Flower came out with a good haul.
Patch is teething again. He had a fever on and off yesterday and just wanted to hang out in his car carrier, of all places. He feels much better today, but still no upper teeth.
The tempurature today is 81, tomorrow it's supposed to be the same. Of course that means a chance of snow Thursday for the areas near us...Enjoy it while you can!
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