Friday Recap

Just a few tidbits to post from this past week that I didn't get to earlier.

Noah was sitting at the dining room table for over an hour working with Carlie's beads she had left out. When he was finished, this was what he created...

I told him how beautiful it was, and he quickly proclaimed, "It is not for you, it is for Daddy!" (I'll make sure Daddy wears it to work.)

Carlie gave me this lovely piece of writing. Definitely going to frame it.

Another week, another dead fish...

Got My Tickets

Very excited to be going to see this June 18th. Definitely "blow $$" well spent.

TobyMac rocks, and Chris Tomlin is just awesome.

I Told a Lie Yesterday

I'm really posting this to see if I have justification for lying, or if there is a better way to handle situations like this without "lying". Noah and I were coming out of PetSmart yesterday (more fish supplies), when this man (roughly 30) approached us holding a gas can. "Excuse me, Miss, do you have a few dollars I can have to buy gas for my car? It is the White Dodge Stratus parked over there." He pointed across the parking lot, but I saw no Dodge Stratus, let alone any white cars (but I could have missed it.) I said, "Sorry, I don't have any more cash." Obviously a lie since I was on my way to Aldi. He said, "Okay, thanks" and walked back up to the door of the pet store.

As I was on my way to Aldi, less than one mile away, I passed two gas stations. I thought, "Why would someone stand outside of a pet store asking for money, rather than walk the not-even-half-mile to the gas station and ask people there?" I feel bad for lying, but I find people's logic in stuff like that a little odd. The weird thing was, this happened to me around the same time of day about two weeks prior in the Aldi/Bread Store parking lot.

Noah and I were leaving the bread store when a man and "his daughter" approached us asking for money. They said they hadn't eaten in two days. Hmmmm... appearance wise they certainly did not appear to have missed any meals. Not to be mean, but they were both quite hefty. I told them they should go into the bread store and see if they had any leftover bread. (The bread store I shop at is an Entenmann/Arnold/Thomas outlet. The bread is $1.00/loaf, and I am sure they toss or take what doesn't sell to a food pantry.) Anyway, they ignored me, and just kept walking up to people asking for money.

So, that is my story for the day. Was it okay to lie to that guy with the gas can? Is there a better way to handle it? I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize my or our kids' safety. I didn't feel "threatened", but you just never know... I guess should start carrying my Taser more often.

Sad Day

Last Saturday Carlie won a fish at her school carnival. After the carnival we went to PetSmart to buy a few other fish to keep "Goldie" company. We don't have room or the money for an aquarium so they have been living in the lid of my cake plate. Obviously not the best living conditions because Goldie died today. Carlie was very sad, and she and Daddy buried her in the backyard. She didn't want to flush her down the toilet. Luckily, I got a photo of Goldie before her passing...



She is the tiny one on the upper left. The others are Cutie Patootie, McQueen, and Jaq. Don't know how much longer they will be around. If they survive at least one month, we may get an aquarium unless someone out there has one they aren't using.

Crazy 8

In sticking with the "Crazy" theme from yesterday, have you been to this new store? It's called Crazy 8, and I love it. It's owned by Gymboree. I think they are following the Gap business model, high end (Banana, Janie & Jack), middle (Gap, Gymboree), and low end. So Crazy 8 would be comparable to Gap's Old Navy, or the cheapest store. No matter. The clothes are super cute, and we are fortunate enough (or not so fortunate if I spend too much time there) to now have one at Chesterfield Mall. They also do the Gymbucks thing but call it something else. Anyway, here's a little taste of what you can find...

Can I get this in my size?? Love It!!

Mad for Plaid

I'm a sucker for anything Argyle

Lovin' the Flips

Crazy Noah

I told Noah to go to his room and get dressed the other day, and he came out like this. Sometimes I can't help laughing at him.

Netflix Pix

Just saw a fabulous movie last week. Probably one of only a few who hadn't seen it. And, I have told my Zumba instructor to add "Jai Ho" to the playlist.



Yes, it is a very dark movie. There is violence (not that I am condoning violence, but it fits with the storyline) as well as some very disturbing "implied" scenes. If the language is bad, it is difficult to catch because of the heavy Indian accents. Anyway, if you haven't seen it, it is worth the rental.

Sniff Sniff

Now, I have to come up with another reason to go to Blues games. Keith Tkachuk has officially retired. The sadness is great. I have nothing more to say.

At Least Castro Can Throw A Baseball

If the halftime show during tonight's NCAA final is anything like the Butler/Michigan State propaganda nonsense on Saturday, this is one gal who will be changing the channel.

Easter Bunny

Last Saturday we went to an egg hunt at our church, and the kids were able to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny (for free with my camera.) Noah wasn't too sure if we wanted to take part or not. Do people still do Easter Bunny pix? I ask because I have been to Chesterfield and The Mills in the past few weeks, and both places the Easter Bunny was looking very lonely.

What to do on a Rainy Day...

Noah and I decided to make some Banana Bread on this wet and dreary day. I found this recipe in one of my Pampered Chef cookbooks.

Peanutty Chocolate Banana Bread

*2 cups all-purpose flour
*1 cup sugar
*1 Tbsp baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
*1/3 cup milk
*1/3 cup peanut butter
*3 Tbsp vegetable oil
*1 egg
*1 cup chocolate chips, divided
*1/3 cup peanuts, chopped (I used two packets of chopped peanuts that you get from McDonald's when you order a sundae.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom only of Loaf pan with cooking spray. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add bananas, milk, peanut butter, oil and egg; stir until just moistened. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Spoon batter into pan.

Sprinkle peanuts and remaining chips evenly over batter.

Bake 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. (A full 60 minutes made mine slightly overcooked.) Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Loosen sides and remove to a cooling rack. Cool completely then serve.

Happy 6th Birthday, Carlie!!

We just returned from our Chicago trip to celebrate Carlie's birthday. It may take a few days to get all the highlights posted. As a surprise we had a ladies only lunch at the American Girl Cafe. She said it was her favorite part of the trip. Glad to hear that!! My friend, Nancy, and her daughter, Brooke, still came despite just recovering from the stomach flu. It was great to see her again and finally see Brooke in person rather than just 3 years of photos. Grammy and Pawpaw R. came up with us. And, Grammy D. and Buddy drove up from Lexington to join us as well. The boys all ate at McDonalds.

If you ever get a chance to go, I highly recommend it. It is definitely very fancy & girly. The pampering for the dolls is never ending. The store has a doll hair salon, photo studio, and more clothing choices than I have in my closet. Lucy got her own chair at the table as well as a porcelain dinner plate and cup. And, if you don't have your own American Girl or Bitty Baby, they will provide one for you to dine with.

The meal was delicious. They start you out with cinnamon rolls, then bring out a tray of carrots, cucumbers and cheese pastry puffs with a variety of dips. You can select from about 8 different entrees. I had the chicken panini. It was fabulous. Finally, each person gets a dessert tray with a butterfly cookie, a chocolate mousse flower pot, and mini piece of cake. A great treat well worth the price.

Birthday Girl

Me & C.

The Grammys

Lucy joined us as well. Carlie made her the "L-U-C-Y" necklace she is wearing.

The picture of Nancy and I did not turn out, but she was there too. Great to see you again, Nancy!!

The Price to Be Hairless

Noah and I just returned from Costco to pick up a few things. I needed some new razors among other things. It's obviously been awhile since I have purchased razors because I had complete sticker shock. Twelve razors were $20.99. Yikes!! (yes, I realize I could have probably gotten the Bic one blade for less, but those things are like taking a machete to your legs. Yow!) I guess they will last a whole year, but that is over $1.00/month to have smooth legs. I wonder if it's worth it. My nephew went like 3 or 4 months without shaving his face and looked like a nut job Berkeley professor. Maybe I should do that to save a little green. I am part German, you know. Hmmmm...shave or don't shave??

Get Over Yourself

Seriously? Lindsay Lohan is suing E-trade for $100 million because she claims the latest baby ad is making fun of HER. Honestly, get over yourself. I have seen that ad so many times, laugh every single time, and not once do I think it is about Lindsay Lohan.

"Many celebrities are known by one name only, and E-Trade is using that knowledge to profit," Lohan's lawyer, Stephanie Ovadia, said in a statement to the New York Post. "They're using her name as a parody of her life. Why didn't they use the name Susan? This is a subliminal message. Everybody's talking about it and saying it's Lindsay Lohan."

This is such a joke and needs to be thrown out of court. Maybe Tiger Woods should sue E-trade for the hilarious "Shankapotamous" golf ad because it is clearly about him. Whatever. Here's the "milkaholic" ad if you've never seen it...

Spring Cleaning

We've been doing a little spring cleaning this weekend. I'm not sure how much progress we are making. Yesterday, I made a pretty potent mix of bug spray to hopefully rid all of the Asian beetles or whatever they are that somehow find their way in through our kitchen windows. Another dose to come today. If I continue to see them, not sure what I will do.

I also face the dilemma of whether to get out the spring clothes or not. Once I do, I'm sure the temperatures will plummet. Maybe a few for now. I also HAVE to get the basement carpets shampooed this week before my mom returns next week and takes her steam cleaner back. Fixing chicken and noodles for dinner. Just have to finish picking apart the chicken, then boil the noodles. Laundry and ironing. Whew, busy day. I better get to work. All this while trying to get in a little NCAA hoops action today.

Photo from Flickr

What Would People Do?

Our current session of Financial Peace University has been going for five weeks now. We are hoping for some major life changes once again. There are 61 people in our class. About half are married couples. The total debt for the class (not including mortgages) is over $1 million!! Yes, I said $1,000,000. And, again, does not include mortgages. That's an average of $22,000/household of student loans, car payments, credit card debt, furniture payments, home equity loan, etc. What a heavy chain to be carrying around.

I started reading The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey so I could use it to supplement what we were studying in class. I'm already finished. It gives real examples of people who have been in financial bondage and were able to break the chains of debt and are now living financially free. I think I need to go on a crusade to get this stuff taught in every junior high and high school in the country to rid everyone from their sick entitlement mentality.

Anyway, something to ponder for the weekend that is an excerpt from the book...

"What would people do if they didn't have any payments? They would save and they would spend, not support banks. Spending by debt-free people would support and prosper the economy. The economy would be much more stable without the tidal waves caused by "consumer confidence" or the lack thereof. (Consumer confidence is that thing economists use to measure how much you will overspend due to your being giddy about how great the economy is, never taking into consideration that you are going deeply into debt. If the consumer were out of debt and living within his means, the confidence he would have would be well founded.)

Saving and investing would cause wealth to be built at an unprecedented level, which would create more stability and spending. Giving would increase, and many social problems would be privatized; thus, the government could get out of the welfare business. Then taxes could come down, and we would have even more wealth. Those who are worried about polarization, the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots, need not look to government to solve the problem; just call for a national Total Money Makeover."

It's March...

...LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!!!

Maybe if you're lucky I'll give you 5 reasons to be very wary of picking Rock Chalk, Jayhawk to go all way as well as 5 reasons you should pick Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. This will be a very exciting tourney!!

Aunt Debra Comes to Town

We just finished a nice visit with Aunt Debra flying all the way in from Omaha to see us. She brought lots of fun things for the kids to enjoy. I was impressed that she was up for taking Zumba with me. I don't think she broke a sweat, but she sure gave some people in the class a good laugh. Give her a ton of credit for sticking through the whole class, and hopefully she will do it again.

It was nice to spend a good part of both days shopping. We trekked to several consignment shops and made it over to the Macy's that was closing. Debra found several items to take home, including a pair of supercute jeans for $14. She even surprised me with a shirt that I thought she was buying for her, but she bought for me instead. Thanks, Deb!! I was able to find a White House Black Market dress for under $25 to wear to my nephew's wedding this summer. I love it when people wear something one time and then consign it, that way I get a great deal. A few other purchases...

This adorable cashmere sweater I snagged for $12. I like finding things I know no one else will have.



Also got these Clarks shoes at Macy's for $14. I thought they were 60%off, and they ended up being 80% off! What a deal!!


Debra also helped with the kids so I could look for a new mattress for our guest bedroom. Now, all of you that come visit (hint, hint) will have a nice, new comfy mattress to sleep on. It is being delivered tomorrow.

Mattress shopping is hard work.




We like this one.

Ham for the cam.

Thanks for visiting Debra. We had a great time and hope to see you again soon!!

And, Here I Sit

I have been patiently waiting since 7:30am this morning for Laclede Gas to get here. They are supposed to be replacing our gas meter. Apparently, they do this every ten years and ours is up for replacement. I think they are replacing it because they think it is not reading our gas usage correctly. Since our gas bills are well below the norm, they probably figure the meter is broken. What they don't realize is that we keep our thermostat set at 66 degrees. Anyway, I am guessing they will still say the meter is faulty and try to back bill us. Why? Because the water company replaced our meter three years ago and said the meter was faulty and back-billed us over $100.

So, here we sit waiting for them to show up. I love the "they will arrive anytime between 7:30am and 5:00pm." Thanks for narrowing that down. Maybe I will pay the gas bill sometime between January and December.

We did manage to get some cookies made, read some books, play several games of Candyland, listen to Rush, read more books...

A few sprinkles please...

Ready to bake...

Lick the batter clean while we wait...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches... Yummy!

Netflix Pix

Here are a few good and not so good from the Netflix queue as of late...

God Grew Tired of Us-- Documentary following the lives of Sudanese refugees who make their way to America. Could have spent some time explaining they were Christians forced out of Sudan by Islam, but it is definitely worth renting.



Ghosts of Girlfriends Past-- Awful. Don't waste your time. Worst Matthew McConaughey movie ever.


Psych-- The best show available right now (except Burn Notice- still waiting on Season 3). Slacker Shawn has acute powers of observation and pretends to be a psychic as he and his best friend, Gus, help police solve crimes. Hilarious. Start with Season One.


The Time Traveler's Wife-- Has anyone seen this? I haven't and am debating whether or not to add it to my queue. Your thoughts are appreciated.