Vacation Recap and other thoughts...

So I can honestly say I really enjoyed this past family vacation - this not something I have been able to truly say in many, many years!   I am usually at my breaking point by mid week with too much family time, and ADG has always been understanding and let me steal away for an hour here and there to maintain my sanity.  This has been the first time I did not have that issue - maybe it is because the kids are getting a little older or because this was the first time we vacationed with another family.  Whatever the exact reason (or combination of reasons) I am relieved to not have felt guilty for wanting more time by myself than with my husband and children... that was pretty deep! 

Anyway here's a recap of the week...
We arrived on LBI just after 3pm on Saturday - stopping at the real estate office in Surf City to pick up the keys to the rental house, then we headed down Long Beach Blvd to Beach Haven.  We made a quick stop at McMurphy's market for milk and a few refrigerated necessities.  We arrived at the house and we were pleasantly surprised that it was one house in from the ocean and looked as good in person as it did in the online listing...here is picture:

The house was clean and plenty big - 5 bedrooms (2 masters), 3 full baths, 2 half baths... and a total of 3 squares of toilet paper (you read that correctly - I wrote '3 squares' not 3 rolls) in the entire house.  I have rented a number of homes for vacations and while I would not expect an unlimited supply of any specific paper product, there has always been some toilet paper in each bathroom.  So ADG had to head back out to the market for some toilet paper and paper towels - we asked the other family we were sharing the house with (who were not able to arrive until Sunday night) to please bring some more toilet paper, paper towels plus we needed hand soap and dish soap (there was zero soap, too).

I made up the beds with the sheets I had brought from home and actually unpacked all of my clothes and the kids clothes (ADG did his own) - the rooms were short on floor space so we stored the empty suitcases in the back of the minivan.
We ordered dinner from Beach Haven Fishery and ate dinner on the top deck - this was the view:

After dinner we settled in to watched some TV before heading to bed.  I went downstairs the middle level of the house to make up the beds for the other family (they were scheduled to arrive fairly late on Sunday night - and their rented sheets and towels had arrived earlier that day).  While I was doing that ADG and the kids were on the top level of the house.  I heard Butterball start to cry (which would normally not be all that concerning) and then ADG started in with the "WHOA"s and the "OH GOD"s... needless to say I ran upstairs to find Butterball sitting in the kitchen sink with blood all over the lower half of his face (keep in mind we are only 5 or 6 hours into are vacation at this point - fun, fun, fun!).  ADG thought he was bleeding from his mouth, but I was able to determine it was just a heavy nose bleed.  We washed Butterball up and after a change of pajamas he was back to normal.  I asked what had happened and apparently Princess played the old "jump on my back Butterball" and then decided to move... not unlike when Lucy tells Charlie Brown to run and kick the football and then pulls it away.

Sunday we headed over to the bay beach in Brant (the ocean was too rough do to hurricane Earl passing through on Friday) - it was cool and breezy, but the water was warm.  The bay beach in Brant happens to have a pretty nice playgroup on it... so I am sure you know what happened... we sent the majority of are time in the playground and not on the actual beach.  Upon leaving the beach we stopped in at Bay Village for soup and pizza - we ordered a Tomato Pie (aka a Trenton Tomato pie) after reading about it in the pizza issue of New Jersey Magazine.  It was DELICIOUS!  After dinner we went to Fantasy Island Amusement Park to (empty are wallets ) ride the rides - the kids had a blast! Big ride of the night - the Ferris Wheel (we could see are house).

Monday morning we woke up and headed (with the other family) to the bay beach in Ship Bottom - we had great day playing on the sand and in the water.  Monday night ADG and I took the kids to Bistro 14 and then back to Fantasy Island Amusement Park to (empty are wallets again) ride the rides again... neither ADG or I are big fans of big carnival rides (rollercoster, teacups, etc), but apparently Princess is.  And guess who got to experience these rides with her?  Well it certainly was not her father!  So I screamed and squeezed my eyes closed through dragon coaster, himalya and the tea cups - thanks a bunch ADG (you wuss).

Tuesday was are first day at the ocean beach (in front of the house)... it had a great sandbar during low tide and the kids played in the water and on the sandbar for hours!  We BBQ that night - it took some work to get the grill going, but it was all good.

Wednesday was the same, but dinner was had at Chicken or the Egg - recently seen on Man vs Food, but we have been going there for a couple of years.

Thursday was windy - Princess rode her bicycle to the bakery for breakfast, we braved the bay front playground in the windiest wind ever, then ventured off to the complete opposite side of the island to see the Barnegat Lighthouse.  We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Ship Bottom Shellfish - great mussels and lump crab cake sandwich - the kids devoured the flounder and scallop kids meals we ordered for them.

Princess and ADG are waving from the top - you can see them right?

Friday we braved the ocean beach - it was cloudy, cool and the flies were out in force... needless to say we did not last too long.  After Princess had total meltdown about misplacing a seashell we headed back to the house... I will say it was a beautiful shell and I probably should not have suggested placing it back on the sand while we went in the water (I think I may have set myself up for that one).

Saturday we packed up and headed home. 

Last note - for the last couple of years every time we have vacationed in LBI I seemed to be the recipient of a giant, ferocious pimple... you know the kind that hurts before you can even see it, and when it does appear people wince at you and feel pity for you.  Well thankfully this year I was spared!... at least from the pain... this time it landed on ADG's face!  So I still had to watch it form on him... and I am still seeing it today (although it appears to be in its final stages).

Quick Update

It is Saturday morning at 9:20 am - as of last night/early this morning (around 1am) I had packed the kids clothes, almost all the sheets and towels (the dryer is finishing up any minute) and my own clothes (no toiletries yet).  I had a successful trip to the mall yesterday - I know you were dying to know that - got my new MAC makeup!  I made the Muddy Buddy mix yesterday too, but not the Rice Krispie treats... oh well!
We put the garbage out this morning - with all the stuff I cleaned out of the fridge - but I forgot to throw 2 almost black bananas that have been sitting on the counter for a week plus.  Gotta figure out what to do with them before we leave.
My in-laws have graciously offered to watch the kids for a while this morning while we finish up the last minute packing and actually pack the minivan... I will leave that task to ADG.  We seems to have completely different thought processes when it comes to packing the car or basically organizing anything... so I think it is best if I just do not participate or even look in the back of the van until we arrive in LBI and he has unpacked the car. 
I have go and get shoes on the kids - oh yeah... I guess I should pack shoes for them!  I got the clothes, but no shoes!  Gotta run....

So it is Friday...

So it is Friday... tomorrow my family leaves on our last vacation of the summer!  Watch out Long Beach Island here we come!  I am looking forward to spending a quiet week at the beach with ADG and the kids... What I am not looking forward to is tonight!  You see I am not completely packed yet... actually I have not packed much of anything to date, I do have some to-do lists made (in my head) about what I need to get packed, but really that's all.  I guess because we are not racing the catch a plane or leaving the house at the crack of dawn I have not been super motivated to do anything. 

Here is what I think I need/want to do so far...

• finish the laundry - so we actually have clean clothes, sheets and towels to bring with us
• pack clothes, swim suits, pajamas, blankets, etc for the kids
• including socks and sweatshirts which I generally forget
• bath stuff for the kids - shampoo, soap, towels, toys, etc.
• toothbrushes, toothpastes and cups for the kids
• over pack my own clothes and stuff
• pack toys and DVDs for the kids - ADG will handle packing the portable DVD players

I always bring some toys from home in hopes it will entertain the kids and make them feel "at home"... they usually just fight over the toys and then go off and find some non-toy item that they insist on playing with for the entire vacation.  Butterball is partial to electrical cords (usually from lamps) and cordless phones - Princess likes random knick knacks.

• make rice krispy treats
• make muddy buddy mix
• raid my pantry for non perishable food to bring (that we will not eat for lunch)

I like to have certain special foods when I am on vacation - for example - sugary cereals (I do not allow them at home (at least not for breakfast)), but when we are on vacation Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes are a MUST.

• clean out the fridge so I do not come home to a smelly science experiment of different types of mold

I am planning to bring both of my laundry baskets - for packing of the sheets, towels, etc. But also because the rental house has a washer and dryer and I plan on needing to do laundry mid-week and coming home with almost all clean clothes and towels.

• pack laundry detergent
• pack sippy cups, bottles, paper plates (zoo pal of course)

We were planning to bring are radio flyer wagon - it takes up a lot of room in the minivan and I would like to bring bikes/ride on toys for the kids, too... I need a U-Haul truck! Oh yeah I need a stroller too - thinking to bring only the umbrella stroller (that will save some room - see I am figuring it all out as I go).

• umbrella stroller

So that is my list of things to do/pack (at least what I can think of off the top of my head)... guess I better get my a$$ in gear and start checking things off... right after a quick trip to the mall to get some new make-up (WHAT?!!??! I need make-up, I can't go on vacation with out it!)... I am thinking of switching from Bare Minerals to MAC (actually I have been thinking/talking about this since April, but I am finally done with my foundation and I need to get more).  I got my work cut out for me... check in with you later!

Monday Minute

http://www.thedailydoseofreality.com/

1. If you could have plastic surgery, would you? If so, what would you get done?

Yes I would have plastic surgery (in a heartbeat) - I have always wanted breast implants... my boobs are bigger than they ever before, but the fact that they hang down to my belly button is not exactly where I would like them to be! Now in addition to the breast implants I would also go for a tummy tuck - thanks to 2 pregnancies and eating like I have the metabolism of a 7 year old boy. 

2. What laws have you broken?
In the past I have (but no longer admit to doing) speeding, texting while driving, running red lights, pretending to pay tolls on the Garden State Parkway (now that I have EZPass this is no longer an issue), buying alcohol for minors, underage drinking... all the usual stupid stuff people do did.

3. What is your quirkiest habit?
When in the shower I have to wash in order from head to toe - if I wash out of order I can't remember what I did and/or did not wash, and therefore end up either re-washing everything or having to wash (say my face) at the sink after I get out. Oh yeah and I have to pee right before I get in the shower (even if I just went 5 minutes earlier) - otherwise I will inevitably have to go while I am in the shower... and that means getting out of shower (do not think for a minute I would actually pee in the shower - 1. that is gross and 2. I have major stage fright when it comes to that).

4. If you only had 3 songs to listen to for the rest of your life what would they be?
This one is hard because I have a new favorite song almost every week! I guess I would have to go with at least one Bruce Springsteen song, one Bon Jovi ( I am from NJ for goodness sake) and maybe Neil Diamond or Van Morrison or the Bee Gees… ugh how to choose only 3! (I know you are thinking – come on just list any 3 stupid songs and get on with it all ready... ok calm down here they are…)

• Waitin on a Sunny Day by Bruce Springsteen
• Who Says You Can’t Go Home by Bon Jovi
• These are the Days by Van Morrison... wedding song of my sister and her husband (love you guys!)

5. How often do you have sex?
ADG is not going to be thrilled when (or if) he finds out I answered this question... let's just say probably less often than ADG would like but more frequently than in the not so distant past. Is that enough of an answer?... it will have to do!

* Thoughts from the week -

1. I think Butterball may be a vegetarian or he is thinking about becoming one... seriously the kid does not like to eat meat! ADG and I have discussed the possibility that maybe he is lazy and just prefers not to exert the extra energy needed to chew. Jury is still out...

2. Knock-Knock Jokes are funny - Princess is really into them this week month and I find that I can easily crack myself up... she does not think my jokes are all THAT funny - and honestly I do no think her knock knock jokes make any sense at all:

Princess: Knock Knock

Me: Who's there?

Princess: Flower

Me: Flower who?

Princess: Flower wanna see me jump and roll on top of the car - then fall?

Me: Huh?

Princess: HA!HA!HAHA!

Nobody tagged me to do this, but I saw it on another blog and thought I would answer these questions too...

1. You have $100 to spend on a fun present for yourself. What are you going to buy? Make-up/beauty products


2. Accomplishment I'm most proud of... becoming a wife and mother!

3. What is your favorite smell? the ocean/beach (I guess salty sea air?) and a home cooked meal (made for me by someone else!)

4. Your dream car..... Jeep Wangler (soft top or no top)

5. Favorite Season... Fall!  I love every part of Fall - warm days turning into cool nights, changing of the leaves, crisp cool air, pumpkin picking (not apple picking - I did that once... that was enough), Halloween, Thanksgiving... and the color orange!

6. Favorite way to relax... reading a good book on (insert any one of the following) the beach, in a hammock, on the deck at my grandparents house on Cape Cod, the couch.

7. What was your favorite candy as a kid? Twix - it is still one of my favorites (I really like any candy bar that comes in 2 pieces... Almond Joy, Mounds, Twix, 100Grand to name a few)

8. It's a cold winter day, you're home alone. Now what? Either make soup/chili/stew or watch all the shows saved up on my TiVo... or both (but more likely the latter).

How would you answer these questions?

Reeeed Robin!

We took the kids to dinner last night to Red Robin - a family favorite! In direct contradiction to my post from yesterday, both Princess and Butterball actually ate their dinners and in a peaceful manor. The kids meals at RR are great - they offer (I think) 9 choices for main meal and 5 sides (including multiple fruit and veggie options) - Princess enjoyed a hamburger with carrot sticks with ranch dressing and Butterball had a mini cheese pizza with watermelon (on the side). ADG and I ordered the same burger - the 2009 Kids' Cook-off winning gourmet burger - Spicy Honey Glazed Bacon Burger! A "juicy burger drizzled with a sweet n' spicy honey glaze and topped with melted Havarti cheese, crispy applewood smoked bacon, honey-cayenne mayo, lettuce and tomato".... um... otherwise known as DELICOUS!!!


We ended the meal with dessert a round of video games - they have 2 video games in the front of the restaurant that are the kind you pretend you are driving (I like those the best myself). They have one for older kids (or kids at heart) and one for younger kids - a Nickelodeon one... with characters in it from when I was a kid (like Rugrats - aka the worst kids cartoon) and Sponge Bob - honestly I do not care for Sponge Bob either but that is not the point at the moment. ADG figured out the last time we were at RR that Princess is better off playing the older kids video game – why? you ask - well the stupid Nickelodeon one has the character crying and carrying on at the end if you do not win... and Princess never wins (because she is 4). This results in Princess crying, becoming very upset and moping the entire way home. Who on earth thought that was a good idea – someone who has never spent anytime with children under 10! Oh – and the best part – the video games cost 75 cents now!!!!!!!!! That’s crazy! Well, Princess played one game (I am not made of money… 75 cents a game! unbelievable) while Butterball enjoyed sitting at the Nickelodeon game just turning the steering wheel and pushing the buttons (for FREE)… then they each got a choking hazard balloon and we left.

The rest of the night went well – early bath/shower for the kiddies means early to bed for everyone!

Looking forward to another action packed weekend – tonight I am celebrating my nieces 8th birthday and tomorrow we are off to the beach for the day with great friends! Have a great weekend everyone!

They have to be hungry... right?

I can not understand how my children can eat so little - last night after acting as if I was torturing him by making him sit at the table and eat dinner with the rest of the family - Butterball consumed about 15 cut green beans pieces, 2 small spoonfuls of rice and 1 tiny piece of chicken (which he tried to remove from his mouth, but inadvertently swallowed it before it could be removed).  That is it folks - that was his entire dinner last night.... oh and did I mention I had to sit with him in front of the TV (while he watched The Fresh Beat Band) and feed him.  Butterball did have 4 oz of milk when we first got home from work/school - even with the milk it still does not add up to much.  Princess on the other hand sat down at the table (she demanded offered to set the table last night - mommy's little helper!) tried a little (read: one bite each) of the rice, chicken and green beans and declared "I like everything Mommy!" promptly followed by "I'm full, can I go play now?"

You would have to wonder if their stomach's rumble overnight - but based on their breakfast consumption most mornings I would have to say no.

Apparently they both eat like champs at school (aka daycare) - so I guess I will bank on whatever they are eating from 9am to 5pm to sustain them for now.

Just to confirm (in case you were wondering)  I finished everything on my plate along with my glass of Chardonnay... and ADG finished off his plate, the kids plates, plus anything that was left in the kitchen... the kids better watch out - he might eat them one night!

Home again, home again, jigged jig...

The family and I have returned from our week long vacation on Cape Cod.  I have been spending summer vacations on Cape Cod for as long as I can remember - it is so beautiful, peaceful, relaxing and holds many precious memories for me... I love that I am creating memories there now with my own children. 

I hope to post some photos soon but here are a few places, activities and notable finds from the vacation:

1. Great Breakfast place: Grumpy's Restaurant in East Dennis. 

The service was good - fast and friendly!  They can seat large groups easily - which is always nice.  The food was delicious - I had lobster florentine eggs benedict and it was out of this world!  My grandfather enjoyed Irish benedict with hash - the hash is made fresh!  Butterball enjoyed Banana topped pancakes - after eating all of the banana slices he proceeded to eat the pancake as if he was participating in a pancake eating contest... hands tied behind the back style. 

2. The Chatham Fish Pier and Fish Market - the freshest fish ever! We purchased some swordfish steaks for dinner one night - the fish had been caught and filleted just hours earlier that afternoon.  It was unmatched to any other fish I have ever eaten!  Later in the week we went back to the Pier for Lobster Rolls... all I can say is OUTSTANDING!!!!!

The Chatham Fish Pier and Market

A Lobster Roll fro the Chatham Fish Pier

(that is not me in the photo or my actual lobster roll - but I want to eat it anyway)

3. We were able to catch a Brewster Whitecaps game on Tuesday - the Cape Cod baseball league is a long time tradition on the Cape.  My grandparents live in Brewster so naturally we are fans of the Whitecaps!
The games are fun - the kids love it (Princess and Butterball may have enjoyed the playground a little more than the actual goings-on on the field), but it was ADG who really loved the game and likes to keep up the tradition of attending a game every summer.

Butterball representing the Brewster Whitecaps in 2009 - such a cutie!

4. Princess loves to walk up the Brewster General Store for Candy - it once was called penny candy, but it certainly is not a penny any longer!  I think I paid something like $0.10 for a tootsie roll midgee!  And I am telling you right now if Princess asks for a Pixie sticks again I am going to scream!  That is the dumbest candy - a paper straw of sugar - I do not think so.  Next to the General Store is Scoops ice cream - we frequent that establishment on a regular basis - their Almond Joy ice cream is my favorite (Princess goes for Monster Mash).

This place has more sentimental value and value of your dollar! But it is just too cute to stay out of!

SCOOPS!

5. One night we ordered in from El Guapo's Taqueria - located on Underpass Road right off the bike path.  It is delicious!  I had the fish taco seen below - yummo!

7. And last but certainly not least - I was introduced to a new Chardonnay.... Chateau St. Jean from Sonoma Valley.  Buttery, smooth and delicious... I wish I had a bottle glass in my hand right now!  I highly recommend it not just for the taste, but for its medicinal qualities as well... it takes the edge off things and plays a happy tune in my head that drowns out the constant "Mommy, Mama, Maaaa, Mommy, Honey, etc."  Yes try some - you will like it.

That was our vacation - at the end of the summer I will post some photos of all the trips and adventures we had throughout the summer months.  I am happy to be home and back to work (I know that may sound strange - but it is true). 

Meatloaf, Mac n Cheese and Tears

That is what my family had for dinner last night - Meatloaf, Kraft Mac n Cheese (4 cheese/shells), frozen Veggie and a whole lot of tears!  For some reason (probably the lack of a nap or the fact that I may have (alright I did)raised my voice when she spit out some food) Princess got upset while eating dinner.  This (of course) flipped Butterballs switch and he also decided to spend the rest of his time at the dinner table crying (with mac n cheese in his mouth).  There really is nothing like working all day, picking up the kiddies from daycare, preparing a hot, home cooked meal, sitting down and having 2 children cry while you are trying to eat and relax - really there is just nothing like it!
Well the kids missed out - I make a delicious meatloaf (muffin), the mac n cheese was creamy, and veggies were (microwaved) steamed to perfection - ADG and I ate everything! This is usually a favorite meal of everyone in the family - even the veggies (carrots, cauliflower (aka white broccoli) and (green) broccoli - they sell this as California Blend at the Stop n Shop).  Not sure what was going on last night, but hopefully we do not see a repeat of that tonight.
Tonight's menu - skirt steak, rice and green beans (cut and wet - that is way Princess requests them).

In case you were looking for a delicious simple Meatloaf recipe:

1 to 1.5 lbs Ground Beef or Meatloaf mix (pork, beef, veal)
1 egg (whisked with a fork)
12 to 15 Ritz crackers (finely crushed)
1 long squirt of Heinz Ketchup* (about 2 to 3 TBSP), plus more for topping
Onion powder - generous sprinkle
Garlic powder - generous sprinkle
optional - BBQ sauce or Worcestershire sauce (a couple of squirts or shakes)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Throw all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix it up with your (clean) hands. 
Once everything is incorporated, divide into 6 balls and place in a 6 cup muffin pan (preferably nonstick).
Top each mini meatloaf with a squirt of ketchup.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, let them cool for 5 minutes before serving.

*if you are not using Heinz Ketchup don't bother making this recipe or anything else for that matter!

Weekend in review...

Good news - my kids had fun with their grandparents (while we were away) and I think my in-laws are still talking to us - so I will call it a Win!  The in-laws left in a flash upon our return - but who could blame them... I would do the same thing!  It is a lot to watch 2 small children for 2 nights - especially being away from your own home.  I can't thank them enough!
The weekend was full of fun - the rehearsal dinner and wedding were a BLAST!  The bride and groom were both beautiful - smiles never left their faces the entire night.  The band was sensational - the dance floor was packed all night long - my feet are still aching a little.  The hotel was nice - the bed was super comfortable!  I drank and partied a lot throughout the weekend and I can confirm I am hurting a bit today... it is just another sign that I am getting older - oh well!

The bride and groom left for Greece today - I hope they have a fabulous time!  I hope my in-laws are resting today as well... I am thinking about when ADG and I might be able to get away again soon.

If you are ever in the Philadelphia area and looking for a great cheese steak (besides Pat or Gino's) check out Jim's Steaks (South St location) - the guys (ADG, my Dad and BIL) attempted a Cheese-Steak-A-Thon over the weekend and confirmed this place was awesome! They ate like kings and some napped like babies afterwards.

A Wedding, A Hotel, No Kids... Oh My!

I am leaving this afternoon for my cousin's wedding - that's right LEAVING the kids at home (for 2 nights - not Uno, but Duos BABY!) with the in-laws - while ADG and I go wild and crazy in Philadelphia, PA!  We have been looking forward to this wedding for a while now - it is the 2nd wedding for us this summer.  The first wedding was fantastic - one of my oldest and dearest girlfriends got married 2 weeks ago - Princess, Butterball  and myself were part of the wedding party.  It was great fun for all.  But this wedding/weekend will be different - NO KIDS!  Don't get me wrong I love my children more than life itself, and I will miss and worry about them the entire time I am gone... that said I am still planning to have a good time.
It has to be at least 4 + years since ADG and I have been away (together) without the kids for more than one night... if all goes well (at home) maybe we can take an actual vacation some day soon! 
Needless to say I am looking forward to spending time with my (adult) family members - drinking, dancing, drinking, eating and just having fun (read: drinking)! 

This weeks' Shout Outs:
Jeff and Laura - I am so thrilled for you both!  Thank you for asking me to be part of your special day!  I promise to deliver my line during the ceremony in a serious and thoughtful voice... after that all bets are off!

My In-Laws - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I will recap the weekends festivities on Monday!

My Endless Love... my TiVo!

I know in my last entry I declared my love for all kinds of food, but my love for television is so deep that at times have chosen to watch TV rather than get up and make myself (or go buy) something to eat - my extreme laziness plays into this scenario as well (but that is besides the point).  My loving sister (and BFF) tried to teach her daughter (my niece) to call me Aunt TV after hearing my gut wrenching saga of a particularly rough weekend without any cable (scene: major snow storm and I was stranded in my apartment for 3+ days with no cable whatsoever!)... I did survive, but it was touch and go for awhile.  Oh yeah - the Aunt TV business never really caught on... thank you very much!
That was all before TiVo came into my life..."You walked out of my dreams and into my arms (or into my TV cabinet), Now you're my angel divine"... These days I am rarely at a loss for something to watch - I have plenty of episodes of Oprah, Real Housewives of NJ, Holmes on Homes, Barefoot Contessa, Entourage, Diners Drive-Ins and Dives (aka Triple D), Army Wives, My Life on the D-List, Wipeout (that show cracks me up!), and lots more!  In addition to my shows I have many (read: a ridiculous amount of) hours devoted to the favorites of Princess and Butterball... I have something like 15 episodes of The Fresh Beat Band, at least 6 episodes of Good Luck Charlie and that is on top of a few Phineas and Ferb episodes, Dora the Explorer, Jacks Big Music Show, etc.  As you can imagine the kids are avid (read: slightly addicted) TV watchers as well.  ADG has a few items on the TiVo list, but sometimes I have to accidentally delete them on purpose in order to save room for my shows... I don't think he really watches any of the sport related shows or Comedy Central specials anyway.
The only thing better than my TiVo would be 2 newer TiVo models - I understand now that with the new models you can send shows between the two!  That way I can record something in the living room and then watch it in my bedroom!  That would save my back from a few aches since I would no longer fall asleep on the couch watching my shows, but fall asleep in the middle of Say Yes to the Dress (I adore TLC!) in the comfort of my bed!  I guess I will have to talk to ADG about adding a 3rd party to the bedroom... but until he agrees I will be dreaming of you know who...

P.S. For anyone reading this blog that just said "I have a DVR and it is just like TiVo" - I have some news for you... you are soooo kidding yourself!!!!  TiVo blows any DVR option offered by a cable company out of the water!  Just wanted to give it to you straight up (now tell me do you really want to love me forever, oh, oh, oh, or am I caught in a hit and run... Paula Abdul - did you watch her reality show? Whoa - can you say wacko?)

Ummm Bacon!

I love food - I love eating - I love cooking - I love fancy restaurants - I love fast food! This has resulted in years of dieting on and off, the scale going up and down, etc. That is a blog entry for another day. Today I want to tell you about a new item on Wendy's menu - the BLT Cobb salad! It is delicious and I am fairly certain not at all healthy for you (as one would believe salad should be!). It is a delightful combination of crispy Applewood Smoked Bacon, spicy grilled chicken mixed with real blue cheese crumbles, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes and lettuce, served with avocado ranch dressing. The bacon was actually crisp AND thick!! As my girlfriend LC would say it is Dilli (short for delicious). So if you find yourself at Wendy's and not in the mood for a burger (and you are not counting calories/fat grams for that meal) I highly recommend the BLT Cobb Salad.

It just so happens the kids and I enjoyed Wendy's for dinner last night while ADG played his weekly softball game. An evening on my own with the kids can be daunting... last night was no exception! Princess fell asleep in the car between Wendy's and our house (FYI - as of this past Monday Princess's new pre-K class has discontinued napping because they are "big kids” now... She is thrilled - I am NOT), she sleepily made her way from the car into the house and onto the couch… while I carried Butterball, the school bags, my purse and the food up the stairs from the basement. While I was getting everything layout on plates for dinner Butterball ran around like a manic screaming "Beat! Beat! Beat!" (translation - I want to watch Fresh Beat NOW!). When I called both kids to the kitchen for dinner Princess began crying (loudly) – I do not think I need tell you I was about an inch way from reaching my noise tolerance threshold (read: about to lose it). My (generic) response was I tell her to stop crying and get in here! Well she comes into the kitchen with a bloody tissue to her nose... she has a major nose bleed! It looked like she hit with a baseball bat - blood on her hands and face and (of course) on the COUCH! Princess claims she was just lying on the couch (apparently on her back) and her nose started to bleed, so she rolled over on her stomach (yes - face down in order to really get some good stains on the couch) and saw the blood - that was when she started crying. The bleeding subsided, we cleaned her up (although she insisted on keep a tissue up to her nose throughout dinner) and I sprayed the stains on the couch with stain remover. About 10 minutes later we finally sat down to eat… while I ate my yummy salad, Princess drank some chocolate milk and Butterball ate a half a chicken nugget and 5 french fries – then they both promptly declared themselves finished by giving me the old “I’m full… can I go play now?”. I surrendered – they went off to play (read: shout and squeal at the top of their lungs) and I cleaned up. I was exhausted at this point and it was barley 7pm! The rest of the evening went smoother – kids in PJs by a reasonable hour and Butterball did not give me a hard time when I put him to bed (usually ADG handles this nightly task). Princess gave me a little trouble about going to bed, but ended up falling asleep on the couch while watch 10 more minutes of Dragon Tales. Thankfully ADG carried her upstairs when he got home.

What time do your kids go to bed - I am guessing earlier than mine!?!? Comment below!
Tomorrow – My love affair with…TiVo

A little blog about everything...

So today I am starting a new blog...
Who am I? Nobody really... just a thirty-something, wife and mother of two with a full time job just trying to figure it all out.  I am a gal with grand ideas/plans but not the best follow through skills... I am a bit of slacker when things become too difficult (read: boring) or time consuming (read: something else has caught my attention). 

Things I love:

• My Husband (aka ADG)
• My Kids (aka Princess and Butterball)
• My Family - all of them... even the weird ones
• My Friends
• Wine
• Being crafty/creative
• TV (sending a shout-out to my TiVo... what would I do without you)
• Reading - chick lit is my favorite!
• Cooking and watching the Food Network
• The Beach (Jersey Shore and Cape Cod)
• Facebook
• Bejeweled 2 (addicted)
• Shopping
• Decorating
• Bruce Springsteen
• Bon Jovi
• Coming up with ideas and suggestions for other people!

So that is me and what I am about (at the moment).  I hope you will stay tuned and join me as I motor along this crazy path called life.