Ramblings: Tyson's New Toy

I was lying in bed last night and I happened to glance up at a horrifying sight....no, not of Jeremy. (ha ha, just kidding, honey pooh! and just kidding about the honey pooh, I've never called anyone that in my entire life. I swear. I'd beat myself up first.)

Anyway, the horrifying sight was my ceiling fan spewing dust from the top of the blades. Just one more thing that I've been telling myself for weeks that needs to be done. But then I remembered the new toy that my mom bought Tyson the Dyson last month. I've been meaning to try it out-- but well, you know, my People magazine comes every month and I only have so much free time.

So this morning I busted it out and gave it a go. And the verdict is.....fabulous. It swivels into a couple of different positions where it attaches to the cleaning wand so that you can change the angle. Perfect for on top, under, and around the fan blades --and it also got in and around all the little crevices in the globes for the lights. And because I'm practically a midget, it's also super great for getting the top of door jams, bookcases, and ledges.

Who knew cleaning accessories could be so fun? ME! And I've been trying to spread the word for years...I hope Tyson's not already too attached to this thingy because I may be sleeping with it under my pillow for awhile.

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Ramblings: Seeing Green

Do you ever find yourself loving a color...and then subconsciously everything you buy is suddenly THAT color? Well, when Spring arrived I found a jumbo purse/diaper bag that I loved the color of...sort of Skittles green. It made me feel a little brighter and peppier--especially since I was ready for winter to be done.

Then I happened to find these earrings on Etsy that I had to have (along with four other pairs, but that's another issue altogether). Plus, I loved that the color was described as 'wasabi.' Who wouldn't love wasabi earrings?

And today while I was at TJ Maxx looking for some containers to help me organize my office disaster, I happened to catch a glimpse of this skirt...and the rest is history. So me and Kermit got more than our love of Ms. Piggy in common. (And now I have to post Maddie's Halloween picture from a couple years ago when she dressed up like Ms. Piggy.)

It's not that easy bein' green;

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.

When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold-

or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy bein' green.

It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.

And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're

not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water-

or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of Spring.

And green can be cool and friendly-like.

And green can be big like an ocean, or important

like a mountain, or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be

It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?

Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!

And I think it's what I want to be.

Rant: A Quik Idea

I have an idea. While mom's up explaining to Alex that making his bed and cleaning his room does not mean shoving everything onto the bed and pulling the bedspread over it, I'm going to explore the kitchen. With the help of this rocking chair I could probably reach a bunch of cool stuff. Oh, what's this? This looks good. Everyone gets excited about this in the morning. I'm gonna take a look. Oh, wow. This even tastes good--I'm going to try and drink it. I'm taking this stuff with me--it's never going to leave my sight. Into the living room we go. Now into the bedroom. Back to the kitchen. Oops. Is that mom I hear coming back downstairs? Run. I MUST RUN. WHOOPS. My chocolate treasure is spilling everywhere. But still, I must run. I sense that I should not be doing this, yet it tastes so good. Uh oh. Busted. No, those are not my lip marks. It wasn't me.

Ramblings: Stored under "Photos to be used against them at a later date"

Ramblings: A Day in Georgia

This past weekend I tagged along on Jeremy's quick business trip to Georgia--KID FREE. (We got Grandma drunk on Diet Coke and Milk Duds again so she'd agree to watch the kids). I was super excited to get a chance to hang out with my fab friend Jill, even if it was just for what seemed like a few hours. We got in Sunday night and left very early Tuesday morning. It's just great to have friends that even if it's six months or six years since you've seen them, it feels like you just pick up where you left off .

Monday while the menfolk went to work, Jill and I pampered ourselves by getting a babysitter for a couple of hours for her two way-less-crazy-than-my crazies. First we went and had our little piggies spoiled with a pedicure--it lasted over an hour and I even splurged and let the lady paint little flowers on my big toes. Maddie was way jealous--especially of the little sparkle she put in the middle of each flower. (I'd take a picture but I think I have really ugly feet.)

Then we went and ate at a great little cafe where we actually got to enjoy our food and talk instead of tending to little ones and scarfing bites without even realizing it. We also hit Bath and Body Works, which FYI is having one of their crazy big sales. Let's just say my suitcase going home was about 10 pounds heavier than before.

Jeremy met up with the rest of us at the lake around 6 and we went out on Chip and Jill's boat. I learned two important lessons while boating. 1) The drain plug is apparently a very important item to remember if you'd like your boat to remain above the water. Let's just say we had a close call and almost got to find out how long it takes an extremely nice boat to sink in 15 feet of water. And I also saw that that's what it takes to make Chip look like he drank a gallon of curdled milk. 2) I can cross professional wakeboarder off any list of future goals or aspirations. Seriously. And every inch of my body is still aching from wiping out about 15 times.

And because I'm obsessed with taking pictures, I had to use Jeremy's iphone to capture a few funny ones during our trip because I forgot my camera.

The first picture here is us celebrating getting though the security check in under 3 minutes. Not because the lines are usually long, but do you have any idea how long it takes to get 2 adults, 4 kids, a double stroller, 2 huge carseats, and all our carry-on junk through security? We were basking in the joy of being able to just cruise through without any chaos.

Next is a picture of my view the entire flight. But the picture doesn't do this hairdo justice--there were rolls, spikes, braids, and three colors making up this beehive. Pure. Awesome.

When we were waiting for our luggage I had a blast from the past (yeah, I know---we checked luggage for a two-day trip. But Jeremy had a huge 50 pound box of legal documents we had to check anyway). Remember when it was cool to thread your belt under the leather label on the back of your jeans? Anyway, apparently this guy wanted the world to know he was busting out his fanciest pair of Lee jeans for traveling. I contemplated whether this under the label belt-threading was accidental, but it would be pretty hard to accidentally get your belt under that tight label. If you are still doing this with your jeans, STOP IT. People like me are secretly taking pictures of your bum in public.

So it was a great start to a reeeeeeeally long summer vacation. My kids are already telling me how bored they are, how there's nothing to do, and the fighting---oh, the fighting. But my treat to myself this summer is going to be making time to get myself a pedicure at least once a month. Because if momma's piggies ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

Rave (because it made me laugh): Something I Never Thought I'd Have to Explain

Why someone wouldn't appreciate you trying to pick out their swimsuit wedgie for them.

**I'm editing this post because apparently it was leaving alot of questions unanswered. After a day of sprinkler-ing with her cousins, Maddie came in and was explaining to me how Tara (cousin) got mad when she tried to help her pick her swimsuit wedgie. "But mom, she had a wedgie when we were running around out there and I was just trying to help her so she could run better. She wouldn't let me." No kidding. Swimsuit wedgies are best left picked by the wearer of the swimsuit.

Ramblings: U.S.P.S.

No, USPS does NOT stand for United States Postal Service. At least not to me; not anymore. USPS has a new meaning around here, Utterly Scary Psycho Slinger (of my Mail). We've lived here for about four years and I'm constantly amazed at how wacky my mail lady is. Things she does all too often to earn her title:

1. Refuses to take outgoing mail out of the box. I practically have to prop it up right at the front of the box, tie Elmo balloons to it, coat it in neon green paint, and weave $20's in between the envelopes. And then maybe, just maybe, she'll take it. About 1 outta 5 times. And that 1 time, I'm pretty sure she just uses the envelopes to clean the bugs off her windshield.

2. Leaves nasty, "I'm on a power trip" notes on cars parked anywhere within 20 feet of the mailbox that warn of the ultimate destruction of anyone that gets in her way. One day I fully expect her to purposely and repeatedly ram any car in her path(or person, or child, or fill in the blank) just to prove the point that she best not be delayed or inconvenienced while NOT picking up outgoing mail.

3. Puts the pedal to the metal between each house. If you watch her, she looks like those commercials soliciting whiplash patients. Stop. Goooooo. Stop. Goooooo. Who knew those little mail jeeps can go from 0 to 60 in the time it takes to get from mailbox to mailbox? And why, oh why, is there such a need for speed? I have a feeling WAY too much of the postal service's money is being spent on her brake pads.

4. Acts totally P.O.'d anytime something won't fit in the box or she has to bring something to the door. Because of course, this slows down her rhythm and messes up her perfect pattern of skid marks down the road from burning rubber at each box.

A couple of weeks ago, Jeremy's mom sent the twins a birthday package--these hilarious little cars that make animal and engine noises when you shake them and then they drive around. I guess they were making these noises the whole day she had them in her car (no doubt being shaken into epileptic-like seizures by the aforementioned driving habits). So when I open the door, she throws the box at me (I'm not exaggerating, she really chucked it) and said, "Here, let these annoy YOU for awhile."

5. Did I mention she wears a red, white, and blue flag bandanna Rambo-style across her forehead? Seriously. And black wrist braces on each arm. And huge sunglasses with rust colored lenses. I'd take a picture but I don't think I have a fast enough camera, or reflexes for that matter. All you'd see is a big patriotic-colored blur, and if you looked close enough, the blur would probably be giving me the finger.

No, this isn't a picture of the real Rambo. But when I did a Google search for Rambo pictures, this one came up and I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants--which really would've been a disaster since I just polished off my Route 44.

Rave: Sensational Salad

I've been promising to post this recipe for awhile now and I'm finally getting around to it. I think the credit goes to my Aunt Kathy--I believe it's from her recipe box. It's a tasty salad with great texture (I'm a bit freaky with textures of food--this one has a nice bit of crunch). The recipe makes a bunch so if it's just for my family, I usually cut it in half. Great served with rolls, crackers, or just as a side dish. It was the hit of Dee's baby shower brunch.

Chicken and Rice Salad

2 boxes Rice-a-Roni Fried Rice with Vermicelli with Almonds and Oriental Seasoning
(prepare according to directions on box). Cool.
(If you can’t find the Fried Rice with the almonds, I just add sliced almonds)

6 half chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
1 can sliced water chestnuts
2 cups chopped celery
1 bunch chopped green onions
½ cup diced bell pepper (I don't usually add this but it's an option)
2 Tbsp fresh parsley

Place all ingredients in large bowl. Prepare dressing and add. Refrigerate overnight.

Dressing
1 ½ cups Mayo (use real mayo – not salad dressing)
½ cup milk
Whisk these two ingredients together well.