Vegmom Moments

AND THEN IT RAINED

My earlier post said I was going to try to run 3-4 miles before it got dark.. Well I made it 3.2...  After the first mile it started drizzling.. just a tad... not to bad... By 1.5 it was raining hard, the side ways kind... I was wet and then decided I was getting pretty cold...  (yeah, should have warn a jacket)

Good news is, I went really fast trying to get home quicker...*smile*  When I came in the door, I acted all drama queen like... "Oh my shoulder has frost bight....Is it black?  Is it going to fall off?"  Got hubby laughing but on a serious note, my shoulder was beet red... and a little angry with me... And you would think I would remember COLD SKIN + HOT WATER = OUCH!!! 

Also wanted to note that I took my head phones off when the rain started... I began to envision the thing short circuiting and sending shock waves through my ear...  I mean really the tiny gadget can keep a 20 minute charge for 48 hrs.... What could it do to my brain... ha ha... On second thought, I should have left them in, I could use some help in that department anyway!!

CRAFTY SUNDAY

Another Crafty Sunday... Click here for details!!

Not much else to share... The sun just came out, so I'm hitting the pavement for a little jog... Hubby just realized that I'm training for 13 miles... he said "Thats a long way, guess you better get running" 

ha ha, yeah, ya think???   Hoping for at least 3-4 miles before dark... wish me luck!!

ANOTHER TWO PERSON DAY

Well we woke up this morning to a Hubby that was not only crabby but now he has the crud.. His day was to be spent in bed according to him... But Veg and I were having no such thing!!

We got up and had our breakfast and then when I asked the Vegman what he wanted to do today, he said with certainty that we should build a putt putt course outside and play with his golf clubs.

He wrote all the numbers and lined up his course with pegs, then we played.  It was a 13 hole golf course and the weather was holding up for us... After the 13th hole he said "Wouldn't it be fun if we went to a real Putt Putt Course today?"

Well heck, Why don't we???  And so, we changed clothes, packed up the car with water and snacks (Putt Putt is 50 minutes away on a good traffic day)  and off we went....Seems we weren't the only people heading in that direction on this chilly day... No, actually we were one of 1000's... INSANE amount of traffic!!

I mean bumper to bumper as far as the eyes could see... Again I say... Thought we were in a recession.  What are all these people out doing spending money... Don't they know that my Vegman wants to play Putt Putt for petesake???

A few short cuts around traffic and About 40 minutes in to our journey, I hear from the back seat "Mommmm, I think I'm going to throw up"  OK, NOT WORDS a Mom wants to hear from the back seat of the car.  Let alone 40 minutes from home and stuck in traffic.  (he ate a vitamin C tablet this morning that I have officially decided DOES NOT agree with him)...  So I grab a bag from behind the back seat (with in reach)..An extra garbage  bag is a requirement in every car with a sensitive stomach child...  Still no throw Up, I felt confident this was a false alarm, but while looking in the mirror, the boy didn't look so good... Out comes the Paul Newman Mints from my Purse... He completed two mints, which did the trick and upon arriving at our destination, the boy was asleep!!!

Great... so now we are finally where we need to be to play putt putt and he is fast asleep in dream land...  I decided to catch up on Blackberry Mail and let him sleep for a little bit... 15 minutes later the skies open up and it starts POURING!!!  Freezing Cold Pouring Rain!!!  There is no way we can play now...

THINK THINK THINK.... QUICK!!!  I had to think of something before he woke up!!  So I drove around to all the dinner shows looking for one that said "OPEN" on the Marquee... And I found his favorite was opening at 3PM.... 

He woke up and was feeling tons better.  I could see his face color changing while he slept.. That is really a cool feature of his body, by the way.. (Green, Blue, Yellow = BAD..... Peach, Pink = GOOD). So I new he was fine.  And I told him about our change of plans... No Putt Putt, but we were going to his favorite show...  AH!!  Success!!  He was hugely excited and when we got in they had a couple tickets left.  The seats were different then before, but the show was great.  Their Christmas version is always so much better anyway.

After the show was over we still had an hour of day light.  I agreed that we would try the Indoor Putt Putt, but of course it was a MAD HOUSE... people lined up outside... And then I made an executive decision that No Human ever melted by getting a little wet (that i'm aware of)....  So we went to the outdoor putt putt... Bundled up in our warm clothes and jackets, and Veg went to town. 

We were the ONLY goofballs crazy enough to play in the 30 degree rain, and he had so much fun.  Even got a hole in one a couple times... at one point he stood in the middle of the course, jumped up and down and screamed... "WERE THE ONLY ONES HEAR, I CAN BE AS LOUD OR AS SILLY OR TAKE AS LONG AS I WANT"

YES YOU CAN, I said back!!  But he didn't.. *Smile*  He just played and we both had so many laughs....

Then to the Arcade... All I had was 2 quarters...  And it took him about 30 minutes to decide how to use them.... 

Back to our car, just in time for dark... and a long long long ride home... But he was a trooper (considering)...   Normally the traffic is bad coming or going but not both...  Today that wasn't the case... I'm not sure what was going on, but I haven't seen that many cars since 4th of July about 1993.  And all I kept thinking was "Please don't let the roads freeze"   Ah, what a mess that would have been....

But we got home safely with some good memories to show for it....  Hubby was still not a willing family participant, and so we had a quick dinner, and then some story time, and off to bed for the Vegman. 

Oh and as for Hubby's crud... must not have been so bad because he was out shopping, visiting work and then up watching a movie when we returned.  So I think he will be OK....

Going to turn in early myself tonight.  (I did the last two nights actually... Pretty Cool, I must say)... Hey, Maybe Hubby will have to throw crabby fits more often.... Not only do Veg and I have fun, but I get to sleep early!  hee hee... (just kidding... *wink*)

AND THEN THERE WAS THANKSGIVING

My post from Wednesday, showed all the exciting things that had happened that week and how excited I was to begin the long weekend with a great meal at my favorite Restaurant....

Well - that was my first mistake!  *smile*

I left work to meet Hubby (I was 20 minutes late leaving because of a problem that crept up)  We arrive at Veg's school just in time..  Get out of the parking lot before the masses arrive and we get trapped... So were still doing good..

Veg throws a fit because he doesn't understand WHY the school would close 2hrs early on a Wednesday and why he can't go back to school for the other two days of the week... (yes he LOVES his school)  But we convince him that we are going to the Vegan place and he can have any dessert he wants.  (since he'd already had his feast, he wasn't hungry for lunch)

We get to the restaurant and they are closed..  YUP!!  They closed at 3!  (we got there at 3:15)....  Now I understand being closed on Thursday and Friday... But why WEDNESDAY!!  I was sooooo looking forward to that sandwich!    And now Veg couldn't have his dessert either!!  

So we go to a place to eat near the house, not nearly as good food and really bad service (25 minutes just to get our drinks)....  But I still have a smile on my face.  Even left the lady a huge tip, because I figured she must be having a hard day.

Then we get home....  Fast forward to Thursday...  We planned for Spaghetti, which turned in to Mexican instead... I planned to make pancakes, Veg wanted cereal.  I planned ALLL kinds of activities, no one wanted to do any of them.... Hubby ended up either sleeping in bed, or his face buried in his computer games for pretty much the entire 24hr day... Needless to say, planning family time, was not so much the plan... And hence the reason I should just NOT PLAN ANYMORE!!!

But I took advantage of Hubby's decision to be left alone, and enjoyed my time with the Vegman.  He decided he wanted to Sew... Yes Sew... His cute little plastic canvas!! and he made me pull out a cross stitch that has taken me 7 years to finish one page of the 6 page pattern...  We sat on the couch all reclined with our "Sewing" as Veg calls it, and cut each others thread.  We had Hot Cocoa and snacks... 

The two of us did some "sewing" a lot of Sewing....and then we finished another 550 piece puzzle....  I also got out for a short Run... and fast forward to Friday...

Hubby is still in Crabby Land... I told him I didn't order any Crab Cakes and he could leave them exactly where he picked them up!  But Alas... He went to a movie by himself today and the rest was either spent sleeping or Video Gaming on the computer...  Good thing we all have a couple days off to spend time together...*sarcastic*  Well phooey on him!!

Veg and I had fun anyway...  He ran outside for a while in his new winter boots, and we hung up snowflakes in the trees.  Then decorated the house for Christmas, finished up a couple presents, played Indians...  Veg made me a hair band with Noodles and String.  I had to put a shirt on my head and wrap the hair band around, he then made me a feather out of paper.  He had the same for himself and we were Indians....  Why?  Well I don't know!! 

We had a nice Lunch and a nice Dinner, played with some legos, Oh and got some fun pictures.  So all in all, it hasn't been so bad, even if Hubby wasn't part of it...!!

Sooo much to be thankful for And so much to be happy about, even when things don't go as planned!

Hope you found something happy, where ever you are on this long weekend and that your not having to work!!

1/2 MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE

A local Mom posted this link for us to get started on our Marathon Training.... Runners World
This is how it works:

1. Type in your current routine
2. Computer Laughs at you
3. Type in what you plan to train for
4. Computer laughs so hard that its Hard Drive starts crying
5. Type in how hard you plan to train
6. Computer stops laughing and says "Lady, get a life"

OK, Not really, but you do type all that stuff in to the handy dandy program.  Then you type the date that your trying to reach, and it spits out your "Personal" training schedule...  Apparently, I have to start in a week.

According to this thing, I'll be running 6 miles by 12/7 and 8 miles by 1/5..  I'm thinking there is a mistake!
The "Personalized" Program, doesn't quite fit my personality....   Nope, Not at all...

I will try though... There will be lots of walking in my future, that's for sure!

STOCKING GREETING

My Poor kid is such a sport...  "Hey, Veg come stand in this stocking so I can get your picture"

Not only does he do it, but he poses.... Merry Christmas to All... (a little early)

And after about  30 different pictures trying to get the perfect one to insert in my Christmas cards.. He had enough.... But I like this one too!   That's one big package!!

SUCH A WONDERFUL WEEK

I must pause for a moment in my work day to say.... YAY!!!! Only three days of work... (ok there will be more, but only three in the office).... 

On top of that my Crafty Co-Worker Friend brought me the coolest rub-ons for a project I'm working on... Can't wait to finish that up this weekend! 

And a New Co-Worker brought me a Christmas Surprise because she "can't wait till Christmas to give gifts"  AH, That is my kind of Gal...  And better yet, she brought me exactly something that I would want. 

 A life is good Mug.. that says "SMILE"  Perfect for my new attitude!!  Smile and things will be OK no matter what they are!.. And better yet, I'll save on garbage waste because she told me I HAVE TO LEAVE THE MUG HERE!!  So I can't use paper cups anymore...

Hubby tried to steal my new Mug saying he liked it.... Maybe I will buy his own for Christmas, but he can't have mine!!  No No No!!   Yes in marriage whats mine is yours and yours is mine!!  BUT NOT MY NEW MUG!  *smile*  That doesn't fall in to this category.

More good things of the week is Veg's Montessori Feast at school today.  He's been talking about it all week...And jumped out of bed saying "this is the best day ever, its a Montessori Feast"  Basically they line an entire class room with tables and 50 children ages 3-10 eat together.  The younger kids help prepare the feast and the older kids serve the food.   And to be thankful... I'm so thankful for this school and the teachers who do such great things for the future of these children.  It is so much more then a class room!!  And my SIL for telling me about Montessori 4 years ago when I had no idea what it was...  She said "seems like this would be your thing"  Yup!  She was right! 

AND...  I get to leave early today to meet hubby and pick up Veg (school closes early) we are going to our favorite Veggie diner for us to eat and then to the cutest little coffee shop in all the land... I'll finish up work after that and in to the night but sooo worth it!!!

As if all that excitement wasn't enough...  Hubby brought home a new puzzle for us to work on this weekend.  The last one we completed was "Santa Clause Is coming to Town" Characters.  This one is the "Rudolph" Characters...  I foresee us putting in that movie and working on the puzzle tomorrow with some Hot Cocoa and snacks by our side.

OK and a very cool thing that happened by mistake... Someone at a meeting yesterday was talking about drinking Diet Coke.  So I mentioned that we don't ever have diet drinks in our home because of Veg's Migraines (and of course Aspartame has just always been on our NO list anyway) and then I told this story.....

---One day we were out to eat and he was staring at this man, couldn't take his eyes off him and turns out the man didn't have the bottom part of his arm.  I felt horrible of Veg staring and had to say something....Veg says "What are you talking about Mom, I was looking at his Diet Coke, doesn't he know that is bad for his body"---- HA!!  He told me!!

So while telling that story another person walked in the room and sat down to hear the end of it...  Today that same person came up and told me that he was no longer going to have Diet Drinks. He said, If Veg can avoid them so can he.  How Cool is that??

And so I say again... What a Wonderful Week!!!  So much to be thankful for in so many ways!!

Hope things are going well where ever you are.... I'll probably be off here for a couple days.. Finishing up work and then Enjoying Family time...

So Happy Thanks Giving to all of you and your families too!!

A FEW QUESTIONS

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

Why do we say Happy Turkey day?  Do you think the Turkey is Happy??  I'm thinking NO!!

Why does my dog lick the carpet for hours on end?  What does she find so tasty?  Maybe I don't want to know?  But at least I don't have to buy a Carpet Cleaner.

When asking Veg what his favorite part of the day was, he said:

"Scrubbing Potatoes at school for the feast tomorrow" 

How did I end up with a child that enjoys scrubbing potatoes for 50 people?

I've lost my flash drive thingamajig for loading pictures from computer to my little printer... I remember setting it somewhere that made sense, saying to myself "I'm tired of looking at you on my desk, so I shall put you here for the next time I need you!"

How come a month later, I can't remember where "here" is and I have no idea where my little flash drive thingamajig was placed??

How can it be 30 degrees and raining?  Isn't that below cold and should contain snow?

Why do I still have two cards on my counter for my Nieces when their birthdays were Saturday? (bad bad Aunt)

How is it, I can go to sleep at 2am and wake up tired, but when I go to sleep at 10pm, I still wake up tired.

And why am I typing this post instead of sleeping! 

Good Night!

AIR IN TIRES

My back car tires needed air... How do I fill them up??

By saying this to Hubby:

"In case you need me, I'll be in the garage with the air compressor filling up my car tires"

Yup, thats all it took, to get hubby down stairs in the garage using the correct pump to fill up my tires....

*wink*

HOME MADE VAPOR'ISH RUB LIP BALM UPDATE

Last night, the sniffles for Veg turned in to a coughing fit while he was sleeping.  The deep yucky kind of "Oh no its going to his chest" kind of a cough.

So I took my little happy Eucalyptus stuff in the bedroom and put some on his Back, Chest and Feet....  as soon as I walked out of the room there was no noise... No coughing... It stopped... I waited for a few minutes thinking "This can't be"  But it was.... Hubby and I watched an entire movie and still no cough... so I went to sleep, he didn't wake us up...

And in the morning he woke up ready to go to school as always, came out of his room all dressed and ready for breakfast.... His congestion was gone, and he felt great!   Even the color in his face was normal again.

Just to be safe, I stuck some Echinacea/Goldenseal drops in his Orange Juice and Off to school he went...

When I picked him up in the afternoon, he said he didn't have any aching body parts and that his cough didn't come back... So far tonight there has been silence!   I shall call this the shortest cold of all time! 

I'm a happy camper!  And to think, no petroleum, chemicals, medicine or doctors....  Natural Stuff makes me happy and I think it makes Veg happy too...  Here's a little secret.. Hubby is coming over to the natural side too...Shhhhh!!  Don't tell, he doesn't know it yet!  *smile*

CREATIVE LEFT OVERS

While making dinner tonight, I decided to do a couple new things... First I used 1/2 the asparagus to make Vegan Creamy Asparagus Soup... I've never had such a thing, but man was it good and soo easy using my Magic Bullet.  I used their recipe also but Vegan'ised it. .  1/2 the soup is left for tomorrow.

While cutting cucumbers for our salad, I cut up the rest and put 1/2 in a bowl.. Using the remaining Coconut plain yogurt from the soup, I made a Vegan Cucumber salad.  While mixing the salad dressing for dinner tonight, I made the dressing for the Cucumbers....

We ate the real salad tonight, and I've left the Cucumber salad to marinate over night!  Yum Yum... for lunch tomorrow, I'll have soup and cucumber salad.  And nothing went to waste!!

Did I mention, YUM!!  This eating at home stuff is becoming kind of fun!

ANOTHER TIN DINNER

Because the last Muffin Tin dinner was such a success, I decided to try again.  Only this time Veg helped choose what went in his buckets...

Can't tell if it was nutritious but it sure is pretty!  ha ha... We chose all colors tonight.. Including Asparagus, kumquats, pomegranate seeds, potatoes, carrots, celery, salsa and chips, pretzels and Coconut Strawberry Yogurt.  Also some Vegan Choco Chip Cookie bites for dessert...

Verdict!!  Everything was gone accept some yogurt that he asked to save for Lunch tomorrow.  He also requested some more Asparagus to fill up an extra "bucket"  (stole those from Daddy's plate) and some peanut butter for dipping his celery and pretzels...

Veg decided that next time we have a Muffin Tin Dinner, that we all participate and make our own.  This means I have to buy some more Muffin Tins.  Hubby isn't so thrilled... But I'm thinking it will make a perfect Christmas Mexican fiesta dinner, with all the toppings filling up our tins of choice.... Yum Yum!

A PUZZLE DAY + RAMBLING

We dug out some family puzzles yesterday, the 500+ pieces kind (starting with that one before heading to the 1000 Pieces)  Veg is so in to puzzles right now, it is great fun... and guess what?  Hubby joined too...  He and I popped in a movie last night and worked on the puzzle after Veg went to bed.  Too Fun!!!

We also went out to eat last night... Our one weekend outing that we plan for now on, and they had a Rodeo on the TV.... GRRRRRRR!!!!  I remember my Dad taking me when I was little and I couldn't wait to go see the animals... Never dawned on me as a child how horrible those things are.  I know people live for this stuff, and die for it in some cases... But Geesh....  I mean really....  Chasing down and innocent baby cow that is scared out of its wits, just to throw it down and tie its feet... Woohooo!  How cool are you??  And then everyone cheers and the Cowboy does his little "I did it" dance....  Don't even get me started on the other poor creatures .....

Which brings me to Circuses..... OK, I won't go there right now....:-) 

1/2 MARATHON TRAINING - ALMOST

And so it is almost December, when I'm supposed officially begin my 1/2 marathon training...  So far my goal is just to get out at least 4 times a week..  Finding time for longer runs has been hard, so I'm only grabbing 10 - 20 minutes where I can.  Then longer on the weekend.  In two weeks I've only logged about 14 miles.

But, I'm going to plow ahead.  Good news is, The bitter cold temps started to play with my lungs, and by yesterday, they weren't hurting anymore.  So maybe slow and steady is a good thing.  Running 5 miles in the summer is much different then the same distance in 20 Degrees...

Anyway, I'm not sure If I'll ever get to the 13.1 required by March, but I told the Mom's that I would finish and I will finish.... Even if walking most of it.

MEMORY

This Morning I heard Hubby say "Oops, I almost forgot my cup"  and Veg says with out skippin' a beat...

"Daddy, if you start forgetting things, I'm going to have to call you Mommy"

OUCH!

THINK TWICE ABOUT THEM WRINKLES

OK, DOES ANYONE ELSE FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS, OR IS IT JUST ME???

They are seriously taking the winky parts and turning them in to wrinkle-be-gone?   I didn't make this up, I promise you!

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-11/foreskin-clear-skin

I guess its not as bad as the Pregnant Horse Pee that everyone has been taking for Hormone Replacement though....

How do they come up with this stuff anyway??  Is some guy sitting around watching a Pregnant Horse go Pee and think "Ah, Yes thats it....Collect the Pee and we will solve Hot Flashes!!"

Or better yet...The Rabbi goes chop chop and then thinks "I could stick this in my face and get rid of wrinkles"

And I certainly wouldn't want to be sitting around that lab when the Rabbi calls the Scientist  "Oy, I have something to tell you, your gonna plotz"

BUCKETS OF SNACKS

Veg wasn't too hungry for lunch today as he had a big breakfast and wasn't feeling 100% from his sniffles.. I decided to just put buckets full of snacks on a plate and set them out on the table...

He'd graze as he got hungry... And I didn't have to worry about what he was eating.

Buckets contain....Peas, Fruit sweetened Vegan Jelly Beans, Pomegranate seeds, Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers and natural organic corn chips.

By about 2pm, everything was gone except a cucumber bite and a couple peas. 

I also set out a cup of Cold Time Tea and another with Hot Soy Chocolate by request....  and as always a small bottle of water... So through the day he could graze on fluids and food.... 

By Dinner time he ate an entire bowl of Pasta, and 1 1/2 hand made biscuits.  So I think he is on the mend....

Hubby helped make the biscuits tonight from the Vegan Lunchbox Cookbook and they were soo good!  The recipe called for Spelt though, and we only had Unbleached White flour on hand (and we ran out during the recipe, so no extras like usual)

Needless to say it was a good eating day for all....  Oh and by the way... Thanks to the Montessori Organic Garden, I'm totally on a salad kick.  Using their lettuce, Organic store bought veggies, and my Mom's secret recipe, I've made Italian type salads at least 4 times a week.  Today was no exception.

Yum Yum!!!

HOME MADE VAPOR'ISH RUB LIP BALM

A few weeks ago I posted about making Deodorant and Lip Balm... I mentioned that I would be making some with Eucalyptus for the next time one of us get sickly. 

Well Veg started with the sniffles today and I thought it would be great to have something moisturizing to put under his nose that would also help him breath.  And So I made my Vapor'ish Lip Balm...

Not really for the lips but to put on his Back, Chest, Feet and under his nose as needed.... Of course all he has is the sniffles, so none of that is needed.  But I'm prepared just in case!!

Using the Lip Balm Recipe and instead of Sweet Orange Oil, I used 18 drops of Eucalyptus Oil and 2 drops of Tea Tree Oil.  If I had some mint, I would have thrown that in to... But it is perfect.  I rubbed some on my chest, then pulled the collar of my shirt up over nose to absorb the vapors.  (leaving the rest of the shirt on, of course)  I don't even have the sniffles, but I just wanted to try it :-)

Also had to make sure there were no skin reactions before putting on Veg since we both have Uber Sensitive skin.  But 4 hrs later, I can still smell it, and my skin is soft too.  :-)  Think I'll be using that even when I'm not sick just because it smells good.  BUT... Probably don't want to wear it in the office or people may steer clear... Although maybe thats a good thing??

QUALITY TIME

Editing this... because I put the word "time" like 100 times... and sounds really lame!

There was a post on a Moms Board about spending time with your kids... And it brings up a good point.. How much time do you really spend with your kids?  Not driving them here and there, or cleaning or cooking, or head in the computer (my hubby)  or reading a book or yelling, while they are in the same room.  But Quality time with your kids...  Reading to them, Playing Catch, Dancing, Laughing, Crafting....

Talking, Listening, Playing... Being part of their activity...  For me, I used to think that was a LOT of that ... But a couple weeks ago I realized, during the week we don't get that much, because between School and bed time only allows a couple hours.  Which also means dinner, shower, etc. and that time dwindles...  So lately I've made a conscious effort to NOT sit at the computer once I get home, until after he goes to bed (unless he's busy with Dad or there is a work emergency)  Also as part of my changes to better things around here, I decided to stop what I'm doing and answer him when he has something to say. 

How rude not to listen fully when they are talking (shame on me)... Funny how the whining and nagging stops, if you answer them the first time.... Geesh, Who would have thunk it?

Then I saw that Mom post, and I could answer with glee....  "I don't get as much time as I like but what I do get is great"  I figure he's only with me for a short while, can't believe he is already 5 1/2..   I can sneak in "me" time when Hubby is home or on the weekends, etc. and have the rest of my life for that.. The time I spend with him now can't be replaced or duplicated or brought back when years pass and its too late..... And everything that takes place on my computer can wait until Veg is busy with other things....  

Funny how making that effort at night, has made a difference for him and me.....

Throwing out a challenge....  Its easy to get caught up in routine, and day to day stuff, and cleaning and caring for things and running here and there....  So take a break today... Make an hour for just you and your little one or more kids with some real quality time... Do something different, something fun and listen...  You may enjoy what you hear and want to do it again tomorrow!  

Have a great day!!

ONE MORE CARD

Yippeee.... our Heloc is paid off...  I didn't want it in the first place a while ago, but was happy to consolidate some things that hit us with unexpected house expenses.... and the interest rates were so low, I couldn't pass it up.  But its gone now... Paid and gone!!   I love when that happens!

That leaves us with one card left till were debt free....

OK not really debt free.. still gotta pay for the house and cars, but you know what I mean!  *smile*.. 

Were going to cut back on eating out,  I've already dropped the Starbucks, and we turned off the Cable a while ago.... a little here and a little there can't hurt... Maybe some day we will be debt free for real...

HA, NOT!!  But I can pretend!

THE RECYCLED BOX GIFT TOWER

A couple months ago I decided to not wrap gifts Traditionally any longer.  I started using Reusable shopping bags (canvas or other) or recycled paper and items from the house.  Not because I'm too cheap or lazy to wrap gifts... Although secretly I despise having to wrap them... But that isn't the reason. 

I just felt like it was smarter to reuse or pass on the Reuse-ability with wrapping or giving.  And spend money on things that can be reused, instead of thrown in the trash....So this Christmas, I will wrap only Veg's presents (to use up the rest of the paper so it doesn't go to waste) and everyone Else's are coming in either reusable type containers, or the boxes they arrived in.... No wrapping paper!!  

Note to family and friends, if you get something that is in a canvas bag, you will know why *smile*

Well, I have a crafty friend, and I couldn't wait to giver her the gifts we purchased...(yes I know it is not even December yet, but I have my reasons for giving early, I promise)  *wink*   

But I couldn't just give it to her in normal recycled fashion, because after all, she is my Crafty Friend.  I had to do something Crafty...... 

So I dug through the recycle bins (they are kept in the family room, so no bad stuff inside)... And created this...The Gift Tower.  Each box contains a gift item (nothing big)...

 

But of course, I couldn't leave it looking like that... No Sirree!!....  Insert, pretty craft paper and scraps, Folded just so, that each can be re-used in a card some day...

 

Handmade Card punched and tied with the twine (saving the paper of an envelope)  And decorated on top with little Star Fondant Cut Outs (she's a cake lady)  Personally, I call them cookie cutters.  But the package says Fondant!  Who New?  And the stars sort of match something inside (hint hint)...... Then all tied together with the twine.

I take the gift tower to my crafty friend... and of course she says "Its not even December yet"  Ha Ha....Well.... then she says "I'm not going to open it till Christmas!" 

WHAT?   That can't be???   I thought I was learning Patience, but apparently not so much!  *smile*

SOMETHING DOESN'T BELONG

Do you see something wrong with this picture?

How many times do I have to say... "Black hangers go with the Dark Shirts, Blue hangers go with the light shirts, white hangers go with the pants"...Its really not that hard to remember, and if you can't remember, then simply look... There is certainly something OUT OF PLACE!!!   

Why-O-Why after 18 years, does the man take a shirt off the hanger and put the black hanger in with the blue??  Because he knows it drives me nuts that's why!!  Really, can be no other explanation!

Ah yes, I'm just a tad Quirky!  Just a tad... Aren't you glad you don't live with me??  *smile*

TRUE VACATION DAY

I was off work today and with no Silverberry, I had no interaction with work.. I'm feeling kind of anxious about what tomorrow holds, but I think I did OK.  I survived....

So what is a Working Mom to do on a day with no work and no child....  Soooo Odd!!  The feeling this morning while dropping Veg off to school and thinking "Now What?" 

I didn't make plans, because making plans with myself doesn't work out too well... But decided, since I was already dressed, I'd stop at the tire place and have them fix my back tires while I was at the mall.  Well the tire place was going to take 4 hrs just to look at my car.  (apparently they were low on help today).. So I nixed the tired place and went to the mall anyway... 

They weren't open for another hour...

I could have gone outside to the park for my jog, instead I decided to jump in to the crazy track of mall walkers... Now mind you, this was serious stuff.  These people don't mess around.  I've never seen anything like it...they go, and they go fast, and they go the same pattern, and don't DARE walk against the grain or you will get a look... And a look from a 9am mall walker is NOT one I care to get...  There were some stroller pushing Mommas and everyone else was over the age of 50.... and then there was me... But I walked...worked up a sweat... a whole hour worth.... By 10, I new exactly what stores I would go to and then I would exit....  (just to note, I can't stand the mall and go as little as possible)

The shopping was hit or miss... I found out my series of ornaments from Hallmark was discontinued... *sob sob*  And a 50% off Vera Bradley sale didn't have the pattern I wanted for a gift.... *double sob*  Never found the Winter jacket I needed for Veg.  But did find him some Bib pants for our snow flurries that we WILL get this year.  And an awesome new hat and gloves.... Its been 20-40 degrees this week and the kids on the playground make for scaly cold hands.  (his mittens aren't doing the trick)

And then I went to more stores outside the mall, and more stores across town, and Oh my Gosh!!  I ended up shopping from 10am - 4:30pm.. Breaking for lunch with Hubby.  I haven't shopped like that since who knows when.  And normally I would have no desire to.  But it was nice to do so today!! 

Between that and my Small Hands Catalog finds, I'm pretty much done shopping for the next 2 years... OK not really, but at least for Christmas.  So excited with everything I got...  Veg has already dipped in to his Craft Stash that I found... See the Sponge Art here...  He also did some sewing.  He's been sewing at school and so I found him some plastic canvas squares and needles...  By bed time, he'd gone through 3 long strands of thread.  He's making me a tiger he says for my office.

I love the plastic canvas because it is totally blank.  So what ever he makes is pure imagination.

Needless to say, it was a nice day off...... (Still anxious about tomorrow.....)

MUFFIN TIN DINNER

Tonight I was making Hubby and I a Mexican Bean Dip dish that I new Veg didn't like.  And on the counter I saw our Muffin tin freshly cleaned from the last batch of cupcakes...  At that moment the light bulb went off and I remembered seeing those Muffin Tin lunches that many bloggers are posting about these days...

So I filled up each and every part of the tin with something from Veggies (peas, carrots, celery, peppers), to Fruit (grapes and banana), to dessert (vegan jelly beans), chips and salsa, Soy dogs and ketchup....  If we had it in the house, it was in the tin...

When Veg saw his dinner, he started Squealing  "Dad Dad, you gotta see this, its the coolest dinner ever"...
Hubby came in to see, and Veg was so proud... "Look at all these choices, I've never seen such a thing"  ha ha...  He LOVED it....

Hubby whispered "I think you out did yourself this time"  *smile* 

To my enjoyment, Veg ate everything Green and Red first, then the soy dogs, and then stopped to say "Look, I emptied so many buckets" 

He finished about everything, and then went for the Vegan Jelly Beans..  Hubby finished the blue corn chips with his bean dip, and there were a couple carrots left and a little salsa and ketchup left....  But other then that, I'm calling this a good dinner.

Surely I will be doing this again!!  How Fun!

SILVERBERRY - LESS DAY 2

OK!!  Tell me, What do people do without Silverberries when standing in line at the Grocery Store?  What do you do while waiting for your food to be ready or drink prepared, or child to get in the car, or dogs to finish their outside business.... What do people do?  Really... I'm going through withdrawals...

My new Silverberry came in today (and its silver) but not tethered correctly to the mother ship.  And so I wait.  Tomorrow I'm off work for real this time... I'll have no Silverberry to keep me informed.  I'm really not sure I will be able to cope....

Is there a support group for this kind of thing??  I think I asked this once before and no one responded... So I shall ask again.... I can't be the only one that has gone through this dilemma... Anyone?? 

I SAW SNOW

This morning on may way back from dropping Veg off, I saw snow!!  For Real... I did!!  the white stuff... big flurry snow flakes!! 

What an exciting way to start the day!! 

Also found a leaf while out for my jog on this cold freezing morning... Check out the craft blog to see what I did with it!  *smile*

Hope your having a great day where ever you are!!

SILVERBERRY HAS HAD ENOUGH OF ME

My Silverberry (blackberry that is silver) has decided it doesn't like me anymore.  Or it doesn't like the cold, not sure which.  But yesterday when I came back from my jog I set it on the counter and noticed it having a seizure.

Yes, I shook it, I made sure it wasn't biting its battery, I took the battery out, I smacked it, I pushed buttons... NOTHING... the lights were all blinking, the roller ball wasn't rolling, the back button would do no such thing... All the while, I look up to see the red light blinking as I'm getting new messages, that I can't get to and the blue lights on the key pads blinking like an annoying christmas light set.

Oh, I could see the numbers on the screen "You have 89 new messages" but I couldn't open them... nothing would happen but blinking lights... The Silverberry had gone MAD!!...

Have you ever taken a Silverberry away from a normal person?  Let alone a Working Mom that needs that thing to live... It is NOT pretty, let me tell you!!

There was a day, that I was dreading my boss handing me that big black thing in a box that became my tether.  As time went on, I was grateful for that contraption that gave me Work life in my home life.  Keeping me able to be a Mom and do Mom things but still be available to work as needed.  There was also a time that I cursed the little machine while plugged in 24hrs a day and not being able to escape. 

But now I'm grateful again... I realize what a special situation I have and thanks to my love/hate relationship with that silver thing, I'm now sad... It doesn't work, and it sits and mocks me....  Its getting back at me for all that cursing.... 

So I call the support desk... After two different people, telling me to take the battery ou (yeah, did that) they say, "turn it off and back on"  Well I'd love to do that but the buttons don't work.  Then they say, well "Push really hard"  Yeah, tried that too, they DON'T WORK....  They they say, put in your password.... HELLO, I would love to but the buttons don't work.... So they pass me to someone else....  Yup, took the battery out... No I can't turn it on and off, No I can't reset the password,  Yup, it is still just blinking at me, the buttons don't work.

Well did you get it wet?  NO, Did you drop it really hard?  NO.....  OK 90 minutes later, they realize I might need a new one and it is covered under warranty.... YA THINK???  

So now I wait!!!  Silverberry'less.... I sit and Mourn.... So sad!

ARE WE GETTING GIFTS?

Hubby was cracking me up tonight, I don't know why, maybe its my new outlook on things... But he out of the blue says:

"So are we doing Christmas this year or what?"

And I say...  "Is this your way of saying, I'd like something for Christmas, do you plan to buy it for me?"

"NOOOO" he says with a smirk,  "But this iPod right here is really cool and has all the features I want, so I was just sayin??"

Yeah, he was just saying!!  I know perfectly well what he was saying!!  Then he goes on to say all the reasons "I" need a new iPod and I could share his "IF" I bought him one....  But no ---- he doesn't really want one, he was just thinking of me when he said that.... ha ha ... After 18 years, I think I have him figured out..

Now the real question is, will I actually buy him the iPod?  *smile*

YIPPEE NO PARTY

I got out of having a Kids Birthday party again... Yippee!!!  We got a brochure to a new hotel in town that has an indoor water park.  Veg kept asking for an HOUR when will we get to go to this place....

It hit me after his 100th request to offer that hotel stay as a Birthday Event.  He Agreed!! 

"Sure Mom" he said with Glee "I would love to go for my Birthday and bring my Nee Nee, instead of having a birthday party"  He goes on to say, "That sounds like a great plan, especially if NeeNee will remember her bathing suit, then it will be just wonderful because she could go swimming with me" 

He also requested his other grandparents meet us there and really that wouldn't be so bad... A nice weekend with people visiting and no party and no worries of them all being at our house....  So less cleaning and blah blah blah.... Just great all the way around.  We'll see if all the grandparents oblige.  

Then I could make cupcakes on the day "OF" his birthday and we could go to the School festivities and spend a few days with NeeNee at our house...  Works just perfect (accept I may have to work, as that will be a busy time of year.. but I don't mind) 

And did I mention, I DON'T HAVE TO PLAN A PARTY!!!  Yippeeeee!!!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEK

Changing my take on things, rescheduling my days, Work Improvements Tri-fold and making time for Sleep and Exercise and Crafting... This has been a Wonderful week!!

I ran a total of 5 miles over several days.  I took 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there as I could.  Getting me back in to the groove... 

Veggies from the School Garden prompted me to make things I haven't had in a long time.  I even got some beets at the grocery store to throw in our salad last night.  The prettiest Romaine Lettuce I've ever seen... How cool to have an organic garden so close and dear.  Not to mention all proceeds go to the school.

My Computer was off every night by 12:30 even one night by 10pm.  So the mornings made it easier to wake early and get things done.  One morning I even sat down and made a Card to get me excited for Christmas... With all the cards I made last night, I'm almost done with that part of Christmas Preparedness....

Check out my Crafty Blog to see all the fun things we've been working on.

Vegmom Craft Exchange

Now were off to my favorite Veggie restaurant for an early dinner!!!  A Great Week indeed!