Vegmom Moments

Whoops! Wall

Alright Everyone.... My Advent Calendar loved my wall, but my wall DID NOT like my Advent Calndar..

Whoops!  Guess I've got some patching and painting to do!  *sigh*

And my advent boxes were also destroyed while tearing the paint off my walls, so the lids have been turned in to a scrapbook page!

UGLI FRUIT

They are Ugly but they sure do taste good!!

BIRD DROPPINGS

As noted there was a bird in the house and with a bird comes bird droppings....  Not just one little spot either... Nope, Lots OF SPOTS!

Veg calls hubby to tell him of our adventure along with "Mommy had to clean up bird poop"

I hear hubby on the speaker phone say "She didn't touch it with her hands did she?"

OK, now what kind of question is that???

Yes - Actually I did, I thought it would make a great lotion and rubbed all over my body?  I figured the digested berries may be high in nutrients.... DUH!!  NO, I DID NOT TOUCH IT! 

He asks me the same question, and I reply with the response above....  He says "I was just asking?"

Well, If I was "Just asking" a question, I might just ask "How's the weather?"  "Are you having a good day?"  "Is everyone feeling OK?" 

But I'm just about positive I would never ask "did you touch the bird poop?"

BIRD IN MY HOUSE

I'm not talking about the sweet little canary or family Parrot pet...  Oh No!!  I'm talking about a real live flying with wings meant to be out side brown bird....

I left the door cracked so the dogs could come back in when they were ready but then came downstairs to look for our Skating clothes.  When I walked back up the stairs I saw the door open and a bird in my kitchen!

I call Hubby to tell him there is a bird in our kitchen and he says "Well your going to have to get it out!" 

Ha YA THINK?   I was actually thinking we would keep him?   I love to find gigantic bird droppings through out my house... and I would like something more to clean, thank you very much!  OF COURSE I need to get it out of the house.... a little more advice would have been good.

Veg suddenly decks himself out in to adventure clothes and we are ON A MISSION!   Gotta get the bird out of the house....  But can we find the bird at this point?  NOoooooo !  Gotta find the bird before we can get him out of the house.  We close all the bedroom doors and open all the outside doors hoping he would fly out before another decided to fly in.  However we haven't seen the bird since he headed in to the family room....   Does this mean he flew out the back door while I was opening the front?

Or has he found a nice place to nest amongst the madness in my home....  I was looking around thinking, If I were a bird this would be a pretty cool place...

Anyway.... I'm not sure what happened to the bird.  I would feel much better had I saw him fly out...  I think I will forever have visions of him spooking me when I least expect it.

VEGETARIAN WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE

Look what I found today.... Vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce...  Don't ask me to say this word out loud because I really can't...  But I do know it is tasty!! 

For those of you that don't know, this is normally NOT vegetarian, so I had to give up one of our favorite condiments.   

Ah, but no longer....

Thank you Annie's Naturals.....  Just love their stuff!!

VEGAN TACO FEAST

A few years ago we set the tradition in place to have a Mexican Fiesta every Christmas Day... We (or I) decided this was a good idea because I could do Veg food, through out the day that we could munch on.  There was also plenty for our Pickiest Veg to choose, and It would be easy for hubby to toss cooked chicken in his.  If by chance we have company over, there is always enough to eat.  So it was a win-win for all....  Another good reason was, I could cut all the veggies early,  have lots of food set up through out the day for everyone to munch and I didn't feel like I was cooking all day.

Well this year was, but wasn't an exception!  We didn't have an all day fiesta and didn't really have lots of choices.  We also didn't have any meat, sour cream or real cheese... thrown in... WooHoo!!!  Instead we made Vegan Tacos that were soooo yummy!

I also forgot to buy tomatoes.... how can you have tacos with out tomatoes?  By adding chunky salsa of course!

For cheese we used Soy Cheese Sticks and shredded them!  YUM!

For Sour Cream I mixed the following in the Magic Bullet:

• 1/2 container of firm tofu
• Some agave Nector
• Some Olive Oil
• Some Lemonade (I used all the lemon juice, so lemonade had to do)
• Kelp Powder (or sea salt could be used)

When that was perfectly creamy, I mixed some salsa in with a spoon and it tasted sooo good... I just made this up because I wanted hubby to have something to replace his sour cream and realize that Vegan things are just as good.  I liked the recipe so much though, that I've added it to my "keeper" book, to make again.

Veggies were cooked in a skillet with some Lemon Juice, a little water,  and Fajita Seasoning (found some without MSG) Orange Peppers, Carrots, Onions, Garlic and Spinach.

Beans were canned refried black beans, mixed with some veggie meat, lemon juice, and mild taco seasoning and warmed to perfection in a small pot.

Taco shells were crunchy this time and we used the Blue Corn Chip variety!  Yummmm....  Baked for about 3 minutes and then add the fillings above... We also had some shredded lettuce to throw on top.

Hubby helped cut the veggies and lettuce by using a Pizza Cutter!  Yup, I said Pizza Cutter!  All our knives were dirty, so he grabbed that thing and went to town.  I think he even had a little fun!

Veg helped shred the soy cheese... And while all this was being made, I cooked up a potato for Veg along with two Corn on the Cob Wheels (fresh frozen from our in-laws October visit).... 

I have no pictures to share my creation, but imagine the corn wheels for eyes, the potato cut as a smile and a carrot for the nose!  This was a  huge hit, and he ate up every piece, including making his own taco full of potato pieces, soy cheese and carrots.  He decided after this that he does like tacos as long as he can make his own.  Which I'm very happy to oblige.

To top off the rest of our delicious Vegan Cooking day, I made some Choco Chip Bars from the Soy Cookery Cook book.  Triple Quadruple Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not only did I get a 3 hour nap... (yup I said 3 hour nap)  But I also got some Delicious food, some fun gifts, and TONS of play time with the Vegman.  We all helped make the food and all helped clean it up!   Can't beat that for Nuthin!!

TRACKBACKS

So, I got my first Trackback thingy, or so I thought?  I'm not sure what the Trackback thingys are really?? 

But I clicked on the little email that said I had received one and it took me to a page that said I had a couple more.  But they were defaulted to Spam.    Needless to say, I may have had other trackback things but didn't know it because they went straight to Spam.  Although they seemed legit, so I have now published all three of them.

If any others have been done, they were not published because my spam filter deletes them after so many days...  in the mean time, I'm still not really sure what these are...  Except when you look at my Blog near the comments there are also "trackbacks"

If anyone cares to enlighten me, I'd love to know what those are?  *smile*  And for anyone else that tried to submit one... I'm sorry that I didn't accept?  I really had no idea I was supposed to.

VEGAN FRENCH TOAST TREES

Alright the Pancakes were a NO-GO because I didn't have bananas.  HAVE to have bananas to make my pancakes... But I couldn't let the family down and not make breakfast... 

Sooo, I ended up with this concoction....  Vegan French Toast, then cut in a tree shape with strawberries, and chips for decorations....

Results - One HAPPY Little Veg... I got a big thumbs up for this one, so I'd say the recipe is a keeper.

I used all natural Flax bread slices...  In a bowl I combined Silk Pumpkin Spice Soymilk, some turbinado sugar, lots of Cinnamon, and a little Vanilla. 

Dunked the bread slices in the bowl and then put them in a nonstick skillet...  Flipped and flopped them until brown on each side.  Then put on plates for decorating.

Hubby even liked these and said it was probably one of the best Veggie Breakfasts I've made.....  So this is getting 5 Veg Yummy Stars...  Delicious!

Oh and by the way...  I didn't get a single picture of Veg opening his presents, but I did get a shot of that french toast tree!  ha ha ha

A VERY VEG CHRISTMAS MORNING

My little guy wouldn't go to bed last night because he was so excited to check his "stockits"  (veg for stockings).... in the morning.   He noticed last night there was nothing in them, and I explained that he couldn't open anything until he woke up... And you have to go to sleep in order to wake up....

Finally he fell asleep on the floor by his door because that way he was closer to waking up, he said...

This morning, I expected an early morning frenzy of  "Its Christmas, wake up everyone"  But NOPE not my kid!  He got up, went to the bathroom, came in to give me a kiss and hug and ask if it was OK to wake up.  He then showed me the moon from his window and went to open his last Advent box.  The ornament inside said "IT'S Christmas"  But then he remembered he needed to brush his teeth... And we had to light up his christmas tree.  And he had to turn on some Christmas music from his CD collection....  And finally he was ready to go check his "Stockits"

But he was just going to look, and NOT open anything yet!  We all get settled downstairs, and he looks for  the smallest things and opens them first.  It was so funny!  he actually started from smallest and opened everything in order to biggest.  Some things he started shaking to see what it was (a couple he even guessed)

Other things he tore the wrapping off and couldn't wait to use it....  While everything was opened and I asked what he'd like to do first..... Does he pick a toy or activity or book?  Noooooo! 

He says "Mom, the first thing we need to do is clean up all this wrapping paper, and then we need to clean up our mess, and then we can play"

Ah - Only my Veg could coordinate a Christmas Morning like that!

And he did... He picked up every last piece of wrapping paper piled all his presents from biggest to smallest... and was then satisfied that it was time to play.  He and Daddy are now happily building a Lego City.

I on the other hand, am charging my Ipod so I can test my new radio gadget.... Hubby got me some cool things this year, I'll have to post later....  Off to make Tree shaped Pancakes with choco chip ornaments.... YUM YUM!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

What a wonderful day we had at the Veg House!  Spending time together from Sun up to Sun Down....  I'm hoping tomorrow will be much of the same. 

But also want to send a wish out, that all of you will be able to spend Christmas with those you love.

People can gripe about the words you say this time of year, whether it is Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas.  Some people have their own interpretations of what Christmas really means or when it is supposed to happen.  Is it really Dec. 25th every year or should it be a different time?  Should it be based off our current calendar.  Some people doubt that it is even real at all. 

Some have big Birthday Celebrations and Birthday Cake for Jesus while others leave cookies and milk out for Santa.  But what ever Christmas and this time of year means to you, I hope at the end of the day you were able to spend it with people you love. 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a hope for Peace on Earth!

VEGMOM GIFT GUIDE

The gift giving season in our home has sort of been a month long process.  When my Mom was here we got some gifts.  While going to our friends holiday gathering, we received gifts... and boxes have been arriving on our doorstep from everyone else....  So I must share some of  the unique gift hi-lights of Christmas 2007!!  Sorry, in advance if I forget anything...

Bananagrams - Its like Scrabble but with out the board, points and brains.   Our friend got us this and it is actually much harder then she led on... Oh Yes, she said you didn't have to be smart to play, so I thought we fit that category very well.   However, it is quite challenging.  Hubby and I played tonight and it took over an hour to clear the pile and make words.   I did win this first round, by the way... must throw that in!  *smile*

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101 Things to do with Tofu - This too was purchased from my same friend who knows that I'm always looking for fun (easy) recipes.  This book has over 100 easy recipes that even I can do.  From Appetizers to Dessert and everything in between.  Can't wait to start using this and making lots of new things.  Perfect timing, now that Hubby is on board with this Veg thing... I'll need to be creative with food choices and this will be sooo helpful.

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This Vera Bradley bag is from my MIL.  There was some confusion on the colors, but she did get the one that matches my backpack.  And it is a retiring pattern..  Its supposed to be used as a Hand Bag.  But I've never used anything called a "Hand Bag" and don't plan to at this time... Oh No!  I have changed the name to "Veg's Travel Bag"  It will perfectly hold all my toiletry items and cords and phones etc when I'm traveling.  It has pockets and more pockets, then a big center area for brush, travel size bottles and such.  I'm actually pretty excited about this one.. Especially since I have a trip coming up soon

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VTech Vsmile Pocket Handheld - It's actually called "VTech V.Smile Pocket Learning System"  However, NeeNee went all over her State to find the "Vtech Handheld"... Only to find out it was called a "Pocket"...  *smile*  Poor NeeNee... But she found it and our Veg is Very happy.  The cool thing about this is that it holds all the same games he already has for his bigger Vtech System.  Which means we didn't have to buy any new games.  But it did come with a game that he didn't already have so that was a bonus.  NeeNee also bought him two more games to go with his collection.  So he is Stocked.  This little system is small enough that it is easy for travel but big enough that he can control it and the screen is easy to see.  And even better, you can plug it directly in to the TV and play off the big screen if you choose.  This will be great for traveling..  Another cool feature is for those kids that are Lefties... The controllers flip from lefty to righty with the flick of a button.  It is a VERY cool gadget! 

Silly Sentences  - This silly game was a complete surprise from another friend.  We met the other day and she surprised Veg with this Christmas Gift. 

Veg looked at it and said "AW Cool, I have one of these, but this will give me more pieces"  I just love the way he sees the positive in things.  I remember when I used to do that more often.... (note to self, get back to thinking positively about things)....

Anyway, when we got home, Veg had already started taking a part all the pieces and ran to get his similar game.  They were the same but different.  One is called Silly Rhymes.  And this new one is called Silly Sentences.  Basically for both of them you have to make sentences using puzzle like pieces.  We ended up having a lot of fun reading and making word groups all last night.  The fun part was that he could tell if he was missing a word to make a complete sentence because the puzzle pieces didn't match.  So fun and very educational...

In addition to the items above, I also got my craft organizing cubes, shown here!  and A new Vera Bradley laptop bag and some crafty supplies.  Veg has received clothes, lots and lots of toy cars, a giant Excavating Truck thing, handmade gifts, a Playmobile Nativity Set, games, and more. 

So the Holiday isn't even over yet and our house is full of stuff.  Good news is, Veg agreed to begin getting rid of stuff after Christmas.  So I think that will be a new tradition.  The day after Christmas pack up all your old things and ship them off to make room for the new.

Thanks to everyone, for so many fun and wonderful things.  I can't wait to use and play with everything....

HOLIDAY CRAFTS

Don't forget to check out my Craft Blog.  I don't update it as often as this one, but always post our latest pretty or not so pretty things.... For some reason, you have to refresh your page if it loads funny... So don't give up when you click over...

If you have any ideas, feel free to share them... I won't post your name unless you ask me to.

VEGETARIAN FOR REAL

Hubby has decided after the amount of pain he's been in from this foot thing that he may not eat meat again after the 3 month bet is over.... Could it be true?  Could it be real? 

He also said that he likes certain aspects of the veg thing.  Its saving us money, will get his cholesterol in check, we can all eat the same thing and even cook together.  It sends a positive message to little Veg.   And after a full week of doing this, he's noticed some positive changes in his body... Sinus's are starting to clear up... He's not craving soft drinks, coffee or junk food.  He's not near as puffy from water retention that meat  and soft drinks can cause.  His skin has not turned Red (accept the foot thing)... His mood is much more even keel.... And he's starting to lose weight already (water weight at least)  On top of all this he said he Wants to start working out again.  If even just his upper body until his foot heals.

Things he doesn't like?  There aren't many choices to eat good Veg food (ha ha, welcome to my world)... He's also filling up quickly but then hungry more often... (Yup, thats me too)

So will he really stick with this??  Could we have a Veg Hubby on our hands? 

Stay tuned, as the "Go Veg for Xbox continues" !!

OPEN HOUSE

I was soooo looking forward to the open house at Veg's school today.  It's the time of year that we get to see all they are working on.  But this time they were going to let the parents stay for 2 1/2 hrs (normally only 1hr or so).. 

But when we arrived I heard a familiar cry coming from the bathroom.  And YUP it was my little one.  He actually fell asleep for naps today (1st time all year) and was having a hard time waking up.   Once he realized we were there, all he wanted to do was go home...

OH NO MR.  I've waited all year for this, were not going anywhere!  *smile*  And he would have been sooo disappointed if we did leave.  He's been counting down the days more to this open house then to Christmas.  He had so much he wanted to show me.  We calmed him down and when we got back in to the classroom he was a bit shy.  So we lost some time and then an hour later he was ready to go... I didn't get my 2 1/2 hours of observing... but I did get that wonderful hour....

My 4 year old was Cutting thread just the right size, then threading a needle by himself and made a bracelet to bring home.  (he's already brought these home, so I know this is a popular one for him)..  He also used vice grips and wood.  A few scrubbing/cleaning lessons.  He showed me a few continents.. Also put on gloves (got all his fingers in no problem), Some Math lessons that were very complicated and a few more things.

Once in the car he showed us what was in his special holiday bag.  A Paper bag that he had decorated was filled with handmade crafts from each of his teachers.  And a handmade craft for us that Veg had made.  It was sooo cool.  A little plaster Vase with flowers made from tissue paper and Q-tips.

Needless to say it was another great time at his school.  As always the kids amaze me.  Looking around the room at their little community shows how much can be accomplished when kids are given the freedom to accomplish!

SITTING IN A PARKING LOT

*disclaimer  - I love my Job, love my husband, and love my son.................BUT!!!

I haven't gone in the office lately without someone walking in and needing me to talk to some one, or someone calling or meetings......well you get the idea... I think I could count 12 hours of meetings last week and I still had 50 hours worth of work to do.  I know "play the violin".... Woes me!

My Hubby with this Gout thing has needed a lot of attention and although he tried to do things around the house yesterday he's pretty much been out of commission since Saturday.   Along with grocery stops for cherry juice and doctors visit...

My Lil'Veg has been a Lil'Challenge these days as he has decided to go from 4 years old to a teenager over night...  He'll cover his ears and say "I can't hear you!" or cover his eyes and say "Nope, I didn't see that" and the best one is the case of the "I Don't Knows"...  But better yet is the exploratory stuff... You know, like breaking a stuffed animal to see what those beads were made of inside.  (Yeah, just so you know, the beads are made of  a material called "spread everywhere" and we are still finding that material a week later)...   But if you ask how the beads got there, "I don't know"....

On top of the normal day to day stuff of which I'm not complaining about because did I mention, I love my Job my husband and my child.... There is this thing called Christmas.... And although it does mean more then presents...Its seems presents are becoming the focus.  And I've had more phone calls then one person should receive just asking us "What we want for Christmas"  I swear at this point, I think a lump of coal would make me happy.  But on top of that... the buying and preparing and wrapping and shipping and card sending and.....  Well lets just say it is a VERY busy time for me!   

It seems, although everything is getting partially done, NOTHING is complete.  I feel like I still have 1000 things hanging over my head to complete before the week ends.

And by the way, the week is ending in 2 days....  Soooooo early this morning I decided to grab a Starbucks frozen beverage after dropping Veg off and sitting in the parking lot by myself filling out Christmas cards and addressing the envelopes.  No work people, No Hubby, No Veg and No noise.... PURE SILENCE!!!

Just me and my pen and my cards..... ummm? for about 2 minutes.... Hubby calls, "whatchya doin?"  I tell him "I'm sitting in a parking lot by myself, filling out these cards in the quiet by myself"....  Hubby decides this is a good time to be talkative and tell me a story... Did he not hear the part of  "sitting in a parking lot by myself"....  He must not have heard that.  So I say it again....  Whoop!  He heard it that time and hangs up the phone!  Ahhh perfect, silence yet again!  And then the phone rings....  It is him?  "do you want to meet some where for coffee?"  While this is a sweet gesture... the answer has to be NO... because I'm trying to get these cards done, already had coffee and did I mention... "sitting in a parking lot by myself"  Can you see this pattern....

4 times he calls!  Did he have anything important to say?  NO... "Just wondering what you were doing?"  HELLOOO.... I'm sitting in a quiet parking lot by myself, filling out these cards so I can get them done and mailed before starting at work. 

What part of that would not make someone think? 

"Hmm, lets see, this is not something a normal person would do!  If she is sitting in the parking lot, she must really need some space and she must need some time to finish up what she is working on, or SURELY she would not be sitting in a parking lot"

But does he think that?? Nope!  Because he calls and calls and calls.  Until finally he says "Well, I can tell your busy?"

YEAH, YA THINK???

In case you were wondering, I did get that batch done and sent off, of course it was only 1/2 as I still have another batch to finish and send.  My work day went much better, I even got 3rd place in our decorating contest.  My presentation went well even though it wasn't completed until 3 minutes before the start time (shh, don't tell)  And I actually got a lot accomplished, including catching up this blog tonight!

So I can say it was another wonderful day... in spite of the craziness....And when the week comes to an end, everything will work out!  So relax, take deep breaths, and I think I'm going to bed.... *smile*

GINGERBREAD NATIVITY

Yes, that is supposed to be Baby Jesus that looks like a duck in the bottom of the photo...   He looks like a duck because he isn't painted like he was supposed to be.  Which is my fault, by the way...

We went to our friends for the traditional holiday gathering last weekend, although this year there was nothing traditional about it! 

Hubby's were both not in attendance, and no one was dressed up, no dinner on the table, and no sticking to a time schedule.   She was late getting things done... I was late arriving.... and really it just didn't matter.  It was a come as you are, and do what you can kind of day....And outside of a little kid drama, it was very enjoyable.

It turned in to just kids playing and Mom's chatting and some fun presents opened.  And this Gingerbread Manger.  She made all the parts and we were supposed to decorate them.  But the kids weren't even in to that very much.  They just wanted to play.   So this is what we got.   And hey, its not so bad!  *smile*

Thanks to the Holiday Gathering family for having us over yet another year... And heck maybe the tradition is that we just get together this time of year, and not necessarily what we do while were there.   I was sent home with stuff to finish decorating the manger, but am sitting her typing this blog post instead... So the image that is supposed to look like baby Jesus will just have to look like a duck this year.  As long as we know what it is supposed to be, who cares what it looks like.  *smile*

SUN COMES UP - SUN GOES DOWN

I just love this time of year!!!  Crisp Cool Breeze, and these beautiful Sky Pictures....  Sunrise and Sunset!

(click on the pictures to see them bigger)

 

GOUT - SUCH A STRANGE THING

Random thought - why is it called Gout? 

I mean, the word arthritis sounds like a real medical condition.  Inflammatory Arthritis sounds like a really painful medical condition.  Rheumatoid Arthritis sounds like a horrible Medical condition.  But the word GOUT?  It's not even two syllables?  How can anyone take you seriously when you say "I've got Gout"?  Really, how does that taste?  Can I have some? 

Anyway... My Hubby has Gout... And it is a very painful medical condition... How do we know?  Because he went to the doctor today... YES, he went to the doctor today... And whyyyyy did he actually get bad enough that he decided to go to the doctor?  I'll tell you why!

Because he went to work yesterday on a foot he could barely stand on, driving a stick shift (clutch) with the foot that he couldn't apply pressure to and physically unloaded trucks for 8 hours.   He came home, just gimping, but very proud of himself that he thought he "WORKED OUT" the bad parts.   

Apparently at 4:00 AM when it flared back up, he realized "maybe he didn't work out the bad parts"  When I woke up at 6:00 it was so swollen that his foot was changing colors and he couldn't put pressure at all.  He was in terrible pain and said "I think I should go see the doctor now"

YA THINK?

So I drove him to the doctor around 9ish.  He had an Xray done and found nothing wrong.  So the doc ruled out a fracture and said it must be Gout!  Wrote him up 3 prescriptions and sent him on his way.  If the prescriptions don't work, then its not Gout!  ha ha... And we go back for more testing. 

If the prescriptions do work?  Then he goes back anyway and gets blood work done to test his Uric Acid levels.  Can't take the blood during an attack because apparently the numbers are skewed at that point.

However, he didn't fill the prescriptions...  He's not going to take medicine, he will "suffer through the pain"  Granted the meds are nasty stuff, and I would prefer he didn't take them.  But we will see...

He asked the Doc if he could go to work today and the doc says:
"Well it looks like you can't walk till that swelling goes down, do you need to walk for your job?'

Hubby says "Yes"

So the Doc says "Well then I don't think you should work today"....

Hmmmm?  YA THINK?

So Hubby is on Couch Rest for actually 2 days and hopefully that will be enough to get him on the mend.  Staying vegetarian may help so he doesn't get another flair up, and he's drinking cherry juice, because that is supposed to help with the pain. 

SHOULD HAVE DONE IT ALONG TIME AGO

As hubby is limping around this morning on his very hurt foot (unable to wear a shoe from the swelling) and pain creeping in to his knees and the feeling of needles poking in his back... Remembering the little pain episodes over the past year that we can now relate to the Gout along with the Kidney Stones which were also diet related...

He looks at me and says "Man, I should have gone Veg when you did, switched my coffee for tea and exercised more... think I would have been better off"

Hmmmm!!!  Come on everyone, say it with me...

YA, THINK?

GOING VEG FOR XBOX - DAY 2

Day two of no meat and he's still kicking!  (OK not kicking because of his foot, but you get the idea) The real test will be going to work tomorrow.  Seems they always have something for him to eat there that he shouldn't.  Not to mention the Christmas party they are having will surely bring non-edible meats for my Hubby... CAN HE DO IT FOLKS???? 

2 days down, only 88 more days to go!

ON a good note, I stopped to pick us up some dinner tonight and with it being totally vegetarian, the bill came to $15...  Thats $8 less then it would have been a few days ago. 

ON another good note... Or not so good, depending on who you talk to! 

We think Hubby has had a GOUT Attack.  Thanks to my Mom for a great "over the phone" diagnosis...  This would be the reason for the mysterious foot ailment and 48 hours of excruciating pain for my hubby....  One website said it can hurt worse then child birth.  You would have thought he was having  a baby the way he's been acting...

So what is the good part?  I have read that the best way to get rid of gout is to become a Vegetarian!  HA HA, what better timing!  *smile*

Get Healthy, Save Money, Stop the Gout and get an Xbox!  I'm not sure this is such a bad deal?

COUNTING TO 100 AT BEDTIME

Veg has discovered a new way to stay up later...

"Mommy, after you read my book, can I practice counting to 100"

Umm?  How do you turn that down, even if it is past bedtime.... Yes, he has me wrapped around his little fingers!

Three nights in a row he sat in bed and counts to 100, then will fall asleep.  Now that's a LOT of sheep!

GOING VEG FOR XBOX - DAY 1

Hubby woke up this morning and announced he would be Vegetarian for 3 months so he could get his Xbox 360.  He also admitted that this may do him some good healthwise?  Yeah, ya think?

So he has officially gone one WHOLE day without Meat Products.  Even ordered Tofu at dinner tonight.  (and he liked it)

The coolest part is that we just ordered one plate and all three of us shared it.  3 people eating for $13!  Is that cool or what??  So I think I'm really going to like this Hubby going Veg thing!!

Also, with him not ordering chicken, then our lil'veg won't be ordering chicken... WOOHOO!  A double whammy!  So Hubby will be getting his Xbox after all.  We'll see about his end of the bargain...

Of course now that he has a hurt foot, conveniently on the day he was supposed to start exercising... Our agreement will have to change until his foot is better.

I'll keep you posted!

HOME MADE ORNAMENT

Veg and I went to a Holiday party tonight.. The one where we had to bring a homemade ornament.  It was getting down to the wire and I just couldn't think of anything better then my silly cow picture that said "Tofu, Its whats for dinner"

The person that hosts this party is one that likes to tease me about the Veg thing, so I decided this was a perfect ornament... I didn't get a picture so I can't show you...  But this is what I did...

• Take the top off of a glass ornament
• Fill the inside with little square pieces of white Styrofoam (the tofu chunks)
• Took a picture of a cow and laminated it (self adhesive laminate sheets)  And stuck him inside the ornament.
• Put the top back on the ornament
• Then I wrote three things on the outside using markers that are made for glass

1. Tofu, its whats for dinner!
2. Tofu, the other white meat
3. GO VEG!

Anyway, my little guy helped me pop the pretend tofu chunks in the ornament and he was quite proud of the finished product. 

Hubby originally said he didn't want to take Veg there, but then decided last minute that we should all go... Then he didn't come to the party with us although he really wanted to... Something has happened to his foot.  Not sure what yet, but he is sort of unable to walk at this moment!   So we left him home with an elevated foot!

As for us, we had a nice time... Veg pretty much went from room to room, upstairs, downstairs and in between.  Only stopping to talk to a few people and pet the little soft doggy.  Otherwise he was moving!  Well, he was moving until he found a skeleton at the top of one of the stair wells.... This, stopped him in his tracks!  Thankfully, this meant we no longer had to go up that stairwell.  hee hee

Even went out front on the porch to dance to the band.  Think that was my favorite part.  No one else saw him do this, but I enjoyed watching him over and over again!  *smile*

Yes, there was a live band.  And lots of food and beverages... Including the alcohol variety.... When we went down stairs my little guy noticed some "Yellow Juice" in a great big bowl.... And he was really wanting some of that yellow juice!  "Sorry sweety, I don't think that is for us"  ha ha!

All in all it was a nice night and we left in perfect time for Veg to get to sleep without trouble.

Thank You to the hosts... and congrats again on your new home.  It is beautiful... And by the way, I think that is the biggest Christmas Tree I've ever seen!

WILL GO VEG FOR XBOX

WARNING:  This is a long one...

If your family or friend, I think this will give you a chuckle.  For others, you may not be as amused, feel free to find a more enjoyable post!

I have a new friend in town and although we have lots of differences there are many similarities...One of them being our Husbands.  Same name, Same weight struggles, Same stubbornness, and apparently they both like to make family agreements!  Or should I say Make them and change them just a little.... hee hee

So,I got a note from this friend saying her Hubby was willing to be mostly Vegetarian, Start Exercising and lose weight.  If he does all these things in a few months, then he gets to go on a trip away from the family and get some rest.  He's still pondering and has changed his terms through out the day, but the fact that he is even thinking about it is amazing.

Soooo  I walk up stairs after seeing that note early this morning and told my Hubby about hers... Mine listened and then walked away.  Came back a few minutes later and said "I'll become Vegetarian if I can get an Xbox 360"

REALLLYYYYY???  For a year?  "Oh, No thats too long"  OK Then!

About 2 hrs later he calls me at work and says he's been thinking about this deal and what if we make it "3 months"... Fine, I tell him I'll agree to 3 months but only if he exercises every week also and eats totally vegetarian.   He says, NO, the demands are too strong!

So time passes.... phone rings... another deal... another decline.  Time passes... Another phone call....Until finally we are at dinner.

He's so proud of himself, he says he went an entire day being totally Veg just to see if he could do it.  And he's ready to make a deal.   He says, it wasn't so bad, not eating meat all day wasn't so bad....  He goes on and on about the trust factor and how if he says hes going to do something that he is going to do it... And He can be vegetarian no problem.... 10 minutes later....I asked what he ate for lunch today and I hear "Aw, Man!!  I had a sandwich at work with cheese & slices of turkey" 

So we can see how his first day of Veg'ness went!  ha ha

But he still wants to make a deal, and he wants to go get his Xbox 360 tonight....  EXCUSE ME?  "You have to live up to your end of the bargain and then get one" 

"OH NO" he says "I'm not waiting 3 months to get it, I want it now,then I'll do three months from today forward"

FINE - NOW KEEP IN MIND, I HAVE REALLY SAID NOTHING ALL DAY, EXCEPT WHAT MY FRIENDS FAMILY WAS DOING.  AND HIS MIND HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS PLOY EVER SINCE.

We get to the car and he brings it up again.  I said, "just decide what you want to do and I'll back you up"

Longer story short, he decides to wait and see if someone sends it to him in the mail?  Hmm?  Maybe that ice storm hitting the united states this year will also freeze hell over and he'll get that Xbox in the mail.

He gets home to find his Mom's package arrived without an Xbox in it... *surprise, surprise*

Comes out a little later and brings the whole "deal" up again..."Alright" he says!  "What if I exercise 3 days a week for 20 minutes minimum, and eat totally vegetarian for 3 months"  He then asks the following questions:

• What if I do eat meat
• Well what if I eat it by mistake and don't know it (and he gives a scenario)
• Ok what if there is a craving?

And then he says, "If I do this, I'm still going to eat cheese"  OK, was my reply... And he says "I'm still going to eat junk food too"  OK, I reply again...  "And I also want the game Halo 3...."

Think he's getting a little Cocky for a guy that couldn't even avoid a sandwich with turkey.  but more power to him...

Finally he goes to sleep and there is no more talking about this whole deal.  But I can tell you it was a very fun day.  I'm so glad my friend told me her story and all that has happened since.

We'll see what hubby says tomorrow.  I have a feeling this thing isn't going to go away until there is a commitment made and at that point, I have a feeling there will be some very funny blog posts!

I'm thinking of making a sign for hubby to wear around town that says... "Will go Veg for Xbox"

By the way, do you know how much those things are?  Geesh!

THATS A LOT OF RECALLS

With Pictures and everything...

Recall List

This link was posted from a fellow Mom and thought I'd pass it on! 

Safety is Safety after all...

COUNTING BY MORE THEN ONES

We have been invited to Veg's open house next week and I'm soooooo excited to see what he is working on these days.  Last year, they used to send home papers of the lessons they are choosing, but I haven't received those this year, so I'm never really sure.

BUT ----  Tonight we were getting ready for bed time and I pushed 20 minutes on the timer.  Veg says... "I like that number because 20 equals two 10's"  Well yes it does.  Out of curiosity, I said "how many tens are in 80"  and he answers "8"  without even thinking.  So he started quizzing me, and I did him.. turned in to a fun game.  So then I was really curious.  And I asked "How many 5's are in 10"  he says "2"....

HOLY MOLIES....  so I ask a couple more and he gets them all.  The boy can multiply and/or count by 2's, 5's, and 10's.  He can count to 1000... How did I NOT know this!  *sigh*

Can't WAIT to go to that open house!  Obviously this is his year for Choosing to do math!  *smile*

500 COMMENTS

The next person to leave me a comment will be my 500th Commenter... You totally won't win anything, but wouldn't it be cool to have a label like that?  *smile*

AND REINDEER CAN FLY

OK, so I reevaluated my Santa discussion with the Vegman this morning and all was well... we were on the same page... all was good!!  Santa is a wonderful story and fun to believe in.  Using imagination is good and making believe is good...  But not really real life!   All people believe differently, whether it is culture, religion, or fun....And what is right for one person, isn't always right for the next.... "Yes Mom, your right"  all was good!!

Arrive at School, and I hear from the back seat:

"But Mom, did you know reindeer can fly?"

SANTA CLAUSE IS REAL OR NOT?

According to my son.... Santa Clause is real, and I will be getting nothing for Christmas because I'm mean! 

I am Mean because I wouldn't stop at Starbucks on our way home from school for Dessert, and then I became even meaner when I told him Santa Clause wasn't real...  I can hear you all booing at me, but I must explain!

The whole real story of a Jolly Guy that took toys to an orphanage is a wonderful thing!  The pretend story of a plump man in a red suit with white beard saying HO HO HO... Is a FUN thing!   It is a story, it is an enjoyable wonderful movie... It's fun to have your kids picture taken with a jolly ol' replica.. but heck, any picture with a child is fun... However, we decided at his first Christmas on this earth that we wouldn't do the "Santa Clause" thing. 

He knows that the presents come from Mom or Dad or Grandparents, etc.  And It was actually very easy for us NOT to talk about Santa Clause or make it a big deal in our home because he was terrified of the whole Jolly Bearded Dude.  And more importantly, I wasn't going to tell a lie... which, saying a present came from Santa when you clearly purchased it yourself IS A LIE!!!   

MY MIL sends a letter every year to Veg saying its from Santa... hello!  That is a lie....  We tell Veg that it is pretend from Grandma. 

Now, fast forward to today!  We are driving home looking at the pretty sunset over the pretty lake, and Veg asks if we can go to Starbucks for a piece of coffee cake.  I reply by saying "No, because we need to go home and eat dinner"  His reply back to me was that I was MEAN and Santa wasn't going to bring me a gift?

=====WHAT?=====  I ask?  Santa?

"Yeah Mom, Santa doesn't bring gifts to people that are mean"

<Who told you that Santa brought gifts at all?>

"J, at school, he said that Santa is coming to town and if your not nice you won't get a present"

So I explain, that is just a story and not for real.  And OH MY!!!  You would have thought I had told him that he couldn't have a starbucks cake ever again, because he SCREAMED at me that Santa is real, and it wasn't pretend, and that Santa was coming to town and will be coming through our chimney and....... yadda yadda yadda.... You get the idea!

OK, HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO REPLY TO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!  I figured, by not making this stuff up at home, that we just wouldn't have to deal with it.  But now, If I make it a point to explain that its not real, and he goes to tell that boy at school, then his parents be mad. 

If I don't say anything, then I'm not really lying because he didn't ask me a questions and I just didn't respond.  But letting him believe something that isn't real, is a bad thing also.....  I decide to take the "Explain" approach.

I told him the true story of the great guy that took things to the Orphanage and how that tradition of Santa Clause came about...  I told him that the thought of Santa Clause now a days, to some people is very real and is a wonderful story to make believe.  His friend at school must believe that it is real.  And to him, in his mind it is real.  But for us, I want him to know the truth, and then he can make believe as he sees fit.

And therefore I was MEAN!   No matter what I said at this point, I heard this...

"Mom, your just mean"

I guess I would rather be called Mean then be called a horrible person in 4 years when I have to explain why I let him believe something that wasn't true!  All the while, expecting him to be honest with me.

And besides..... His anger didn't last!  By the time we were home, eating dinner, snacks, reading books and playing games, I was no longer "Mean"!   I had raised my status to "Mom, your the Best"

Even if Santa doesn't bring me any presents... I've got all the presents I need right here!

THE BALD HEAD

Before Hubby got a hold of clippers:

After Hubby got a hold of clippers: