Weekend Update Update

Last night we went out for PJ's birthday- totally fun. Rocked the new lipgloss that I thought the sales girl was insane for recommending and now am in love with. Big hair, boots, and beers. A perfect trifecta. PJ is now old but he had a grand old time. Lots of friends and lots of fun.
Today we went to the gym. The mayor was there. Didn't give him my opinion on Renaissance Pointe. Like he cares what I think. Besides, I was working OUT! This afternoon we went to the FWCS Super Saturday School Fair. Looked at Croninger and Weisser Park. Was all about Weisser but now after googling both, and finding from their info that Croninger offers art and music and spanish as well that maybe that would be a great fit. Applications due 2/27- am hoping to get to tour both schools before then. I think that will fix the horse race. Friends from SB in town for pizza tonight. They couldn't stay for Lawrence Welk, they had an event. They missed out. The champagne lady was looking good tonight.
Tomorrow is Sunday school and maybe a trip to Target. Of course more laundry, and getting the kids ready for their week. Hopefully some sledding squeezed in there. Most likely that will wait as tomorrow is the final day for the FBR Open. Oh, and the Super Bowl. (Almost forgot!) At least now I know what we'll have for dinner. I got some wings!
Goodnight, poopyheads.

I Heart Chronicle Books

Lawsie Mercy! Follow this link and hold on to your brains, Elizabeth...
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7847/title,Pride-and-Prejudice-and-Zombies/

Say What?

Scene: Me upstairs, putting away the kids' laundry. Kids downstairs, supposedly finishing their breakfast.
Me: "When you guys are done, please come upstairs and brush your teeth."
Ava: "Okay, Mom!"
James: "Okay, Poopyhead!"
Wha???

Busy Bees

So far this morning, and it's currently 8:21 a.m., we've sent PJ (the birthday boy) to the store for Sprite, seen him off to work, found out we have a snow day due to the at least 5 inches of snow we got last night, shoveled the porch and front walkway which you can't really see because it is still snowing, and found out that James is sick. I can't wait to see what the rest of the day brings. Off for more coffee now. Maybe snow blower later, although PJ said he'd give me a lesson because I've never used it. Good thing there's no Bailey's to spike my coffee with. Poor children.

Evening Prayer by Ava Pauline

"Dear Lord, thank you for my family. Please don't let there be any bad guys. Please don't let there be any fires. Please don't let there be any Indians, and if there are, please don't let them have any weapons and let them be friendly. Amen."
I get the fire thing. I had it at her age. I had an advanced escape plan that went to hell when my sister was born and the only way I was going to get her out was to simply jump out the window with her in my arms. Ava has been obsessing a bit about fire- I hope she is not psychic!- and although I initially thought it a ploy to postpone bedtime, it's clear she is truly concerned. So when I put her to bed we have to discuss it for a few minutes. The Indians- I have no idea where that one came from. I have seen no Indians around here. Except for that one guy at the Derby Girls that looked straight off the res, but then again, I don't know if she is speaking of American Indians or Asian Indians. (Being completely un-pc I thought of something else first. Clearly, I have a limited scope of friends.) I am hoping there is no more worry of being attacked by Indians. I am also hoping she does not develop my extreme fear of The Boogeyman who lives in the closet of the front bedroom at 19 S. Pleasant Street in Princeton IL. At least he did, circa 1975. Perhaps he's retired now.

Confirmation of the Confirmation

or, Go Janet!
In addition to Steven Chu as energy secretary, Arne Duncan as Education Secretary, Eric Shinseki as head of Veterans Affairs, Ken Salazar for Interior and Tom Vilsak for Agriculture, Arizona's own Janet Napolitano has been confirmed to head the Department of Homeland Security. Go Janet!
(A unanimous vote was not possible due to a Republican from Texas {!!!} voicing concerns about Senator Clinton and the affect her husband's foundation might have on her position. Puhleeze. Although I can see after the last eight years and all that's happened not being first in line to give the benefit of the doubt.)

Solid!

Apparently, they've taken "our song" (PJ has been consulted) and turned it into a beautiful ode to our incoming president. Listen for yourselves!

Time Warp

At the library on Monday, waiting in line to check out, I spied this gem and sent PJ over to grab it. I knew even before opening it I had to have it. I was right. Opened to any random page, this little gem has all sorts of useful information, such as how to make scenery for model railways, how to make a simple telephone, how to make a model farm, what to look for in autumn, handkerchief tricks, and how to be a better swimmer. Holy cow I love this thing. It looks like it's from the '40s-'50's, and now I think it needs to be a part of the permanent collection. It really is something we could use during winter and spring breaks, and summer break too, to help us learn and grow the old fashioned way. You know, Cleaver style. Check it out.

Random Thoughts Retrieving Ava from School 10:30 a.m. Wednesday

Why is the new pet store keeping such lame hours?
Will I be able to get out of this parking lot?
Is this a lane?
Why the heck did they not call a snow day?
Is this thing on my arm the flesh eating disease?
Why am I moving sideways?
Am I going to hit that telephone pole?
I cannot see a thing.
I really hate this.
Why didn't they call a snow day?
Really!
What are you doing, lady?
YIKES!
Breathe...breathe...breathe...
We'll be home in 45 minutes. Just get through it.
Why is that car in the ditch? How is he going to get out?
Holy cow that guy is totally fishtailing in front of me on the ice.
Slow, slow.
Am I going to end up in the ditch with one child in the car and have to hoof it the rest of the way to the school on the road that has no sidewalk parallel to it in conditions where pretty much no one can see?
Seriously?
WTF???
Am I going to be able to get into the parking lot?
How much snow are we going to get in the 15 minutes we will be waiting?
Holy cow that guy just about did a 180 trying to get out of the school parking lot!
Snow plows! Thank goodness. Please head east . Please please plow so I don't do a 180.
More salt please.
Why did I not hold out for heated seats?
It is 9 degrees. Nine!!!
BRING OUT THE CHICKENS SO I CAN GO HOME!!!!!
Thank you Mr. Peterson for plowing the exit so I don't necessarily do a 180 or end up in the ditch.
Out safely.
Please just get us home safely.
Is this a lane?
(At this point fear mixes with anger)
I HATE THIS.
WHY DIDN'T THEY CALL A SNOW DAY?
THIS IS STUPID!
THIS IS DANGEROUS!
Whoever is in charge is irresponsible!!!
Is that another accident?
Please get us home safely.
Please keep that car out of my lane.
We're almost there. I read that most accidents occur close to home. Are we in more danger now?
How can the roads be this bad?
Is that a car?
How many more stoplights do I need to worry about stopping at and sliding into other cars and light poles?
Two. No, three.
Hellooo!!!???!!!
Should I take Anthony and try not to slide out into another car?
Forget it, I'll romp the snow on Forest Park.
Just get us home safely.
Did you guys feel that? We totally were fishtailing.
Do you guys really think in these conditions that it's a good idea to park on both sides of the street? I feel like the snow and ice could ping pong me between all your cars.
Almost there.
I really need a drink.
I am not shoveling again. Twice already today.
Ugh.
I hope it gets better before PJ has to head out. We may have to go retrieve him.
Really, I need a drink.
I am never leaving the house again.
I don't know how the Ingalls' did it.

Random Thoughts Taking Ava to School at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday

I wonder how much snow we got?
Why didn't they call a snow day?
Why isn't the car warm?
Oh, it's only 5 DEGREES.
Hmm, seems pretty slippery.
I hope I don't cause an accident trying to turn right onto the busy street.
WTF?????!!!!!
Why didn't they call a snow day?
I wonder if the roads will be better when I go to pick her up?
Why do people feel the need to tailgate on ice?
Why aren't people turning their lights on?
When will it get light?
Can no one else see like I cannot see?
What is that car doing?
HELLLOOOOOO!!!!
Should I make the cashew chicken for dinner?
Why the hell did we move from Arizona?
Are we there yet?
Why didn't they call a freaking snow day?
Is this a lane?
Is that a person?
I cannot see a thing.
Seriously?
No, seriously!
Really????
I hate this.
I really hate this.
Just get us home safely. Please.

You should be dancing, YEAH!

giddyap

The Noble County Horse and Pony meeting has been cancelled due to weather.

Mother Nature is Getting Ready to Strike Us Again!

http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/46805?phenomena=BZ&significance=A&areaid=INZ018&office=KIWX&etn=0001

Snow Day

Looking back at posts from this time last year, I am amazed at the difference in attitude when it came to winter break. Even though we were in quite a bit due to inclement weather, everyone was in better spirits. I was even sad when the kids went back to school. So when we got more ice (ugh) covered with snow, I was kind of hoping for a snow day for Ava. Which I got! So we have been playing, and this morning made some cookies.
One of my favorite internet places is the Chronicle Books website. I download their podcast, with info on new books. And I even have a bookmarks folder titled "What I would buy from Chronicle Books with unlimited funds on an impulse shopping jag" filled with their treats. Christmas goodies for my kids and their cousin came from this place. It's magical. It's one of my happy places. One of the gifts for Ava came from this site, and with a cold and icy day (snow we could take on and walk up to the library, but ice???) it seemed like a perfect day for baking. So we rifled through the recipes and came up with the raisin oatmeal cookies. Everyone helped with the ingredient gathering, measuring, and mixing. Everyone also helped in the taste testing. We will be having an official tea party after naps, with invitations and placecards, made by our resident artist Ava, featuring these cookies. They. are. tasty. The best part was the three of us in aprons and hands in and laughing. These simple memories are the ones I want them to hold in their hearts, maybe sometimes when they have a cookie.

Karma

Last night, I was feeling all superior after explaining to PJ what an octogenarian was. I decided to go to bed, but seconds later my brain was inundated with a television theme song. I could not figure it out. It was driving me crazy. I knew that it was a show from the '80's, that it wasn't Dallas or Magnum, and that PJ would know. I was reluctant to let go of my smugness and ask for help, but the song was relentless and I was coming undone. I went to PJ and asked for help. I had a song in my head. I needed it out.* I told him it was a theme song, from the '80's, and it was a man requirement to watch the show so I knew he would have the answer. I did the first four notes, three of which are the same, and I saw he knew it at two. I got the answer, and therefore got the song out of my head. I can only hope to have this dear man by my side if I'm an octogenarian.**
*sometimes, when his alarm goes off with the radio station it's programmed to, I get an awful song in my head. the only relief seems to be another, somewhat less awful song.
**conversation immediately following took a depressing turn noting that I am almost half way there.

What we had for dinner*

I had some kielbasa in the freezer, and not sure what I wanted to do with it (baked beans, our usual standby, didn't sound great)I went trolling on Epicurious.com looking for something yummy. I found it. Remembering I had some lentils in the pantry from a previous adventure, I was happy that I had all the ingredients. They are all pretty basic. I did make some changes, however, that I think made a difference. First, the recipe was for two. I have four. Also, rather than cook the lentils in water, I made some bouillon and cooked them in that. Adjusting spices here and there, this is what I came up with. Of course the kids didn't eat it. I think if I had made a loaf of bread and they could have had that they would have maybe eaten more of this to go with it. As it was, Ava liked the lentils, but not the kielbasa. It didn't look like one of the three meals that is currently acceptable to James so he immediately proclaimed it "Yucky!". I really liked it, and it PJ seemed sincere in his positive response to it, so I think it's a repeater. It's nice because the lentils are inexpensive, the sausage I find on sale at Meijer rather often in a buy one get one situation, so there's often some in the freezer, and besides chicken could easily be substituted. The rest of the items are usually on hand, and one could maybe add a can of diced tomatoes, if one wanted. Anyway, it's recipe is in it's new home on an index card in the recipe box. It's a repeater.

Warm Lentil Salad with Sausage
1 cup lentils
4 cups water (or vegetable broth or chicken broth)
1 bay leaf
1 large onion, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
2 ribs celery, chopped fine
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh minced parsley
1 lb kielbasa, cut crosswise into 1/4" slices
In a sauce pan, combine water, lentils and bay leaf. Bring the water to a boil and simmer the mixture, covered, for 15 -20 minutes, or until lentils are just tender. While the lentils are simmering, heat olive oil in a heavy skillet. Cook the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and thyme over moderately low heat, stirring often. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until vegetables are softened. When lentils are tender, drain, removing bay leaf. Add lentils, vinegar, and parsley to the skillet mix, cooking over low heat till heated through. In another skillet, brown the kielbasa. Serve lentils topped with the kielbasa.

*The kids opted for waffles. I am a bad mom.