On Recognizing Love in the Supermarket...

Today I was doing my grocery shopping. Sometimes I make this slightly mundane task more enjoyable by plugging myself into my ipod. Today was such a day.
As I cruised through the produce, "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars came on. Have you ever listened to the words of this song? I was lost in it. And I found myself in tears with this amazing realization that this is how my husband feels about me. You should try it sometime... dedicating a song to yourself from your husband. It's quite a feeling! I blamed the tears on the onions, but at the end of the day, I knew there was nothing on earth I would rather have than the man who thinks I'm amazing just the way I am. I didn't even mind crying in the supermarket, because I was overwhelmed at the thought of how much he loves me! I'm not perfect, but he's decided to love me anyway. And in spite of my imperfections, he looks at me with adoration. I'm a lucky woman.

Season's Greetings!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

from

our family

to yours!!

Happy Anniversary

Here's to the fantastic years already behind us, and the good and bad to come as well. Hopefully more good than bad, but I'm sticking around for all of it.
I am so lucky to be married to you... I love you.

Can A Sista Get A Silent Night?

'Tis the season, right? I try really super hard to not overschedule our family. Still, I feel a teense overwhelmed. There are several things that seem to demand our time and attention. The top three are:

1. Requests for donations.


Here is what we've been asked for lately, and I'm not making up one bit of this:

• juice and cookies for a class party


• candy for a class gingerbread decorating activity


• soup for a church activity


• gently used coats for a coat drive


• new toys for a toy drive


• canned food for the food drive for all 3 of my kids' schools


• hats and mittens for the giving tree


• fabric for quilts for the women's shelter


• money for the Salvation Army kettle EVERY TIME we go to the store
  
• gently used clothing for the homeless shelter
• turkeys, hygiene items, sleeping bags and instant mashed potatoes for "A Home For Christmas"

2. Activities. I'm sure you all know the drill:


One Million Christmas parties, school concerts and plays, and regularly scheduled extra-curricular activities.

3. The Christmas thing.

• Trying to ensure that everyone has an equal amount of presents while staying within my budget.


• Finding the right sales at the right times to meet the aforementioned goal.


• Making sure we don't spoil our kids, but don't short-change them at the same time.


• Christmas cards.


• Debating if we want to invite people for Christmas dinner, or try to get ourselves invited somewhere.


• Oh, somewhere in all of this, reminding everyone that it's actually about Jesus, not Santa.

I feel frustrated that in spite of the fact that people have needs year-round, we are bombarded during the month of December with requests for assistance. The guilt from Toys for Tots: "This may be the only present little Johnny receives this Christmas." I am more than happy to help out all year round, if I could just get December off. I want to find the balance between serving others and spreading myself too thin. I want to figure out how to teach my children about generosity and kindness without screaming "I SAID I DON'T HAVE ANY CHANGE ON ME FOR THE STUPID KETTLE!" A wise person would suggest we select only one cause, and focus our time and effort on that. And a wiser person would agree and follow suit. But let's take my kids' classroom. I thought "I donate items to every activity. I volunteer three times a week with the teaching. I'm skipping the gingerbread man donations." Then came the email from the teacher: "I have not received a single donation for the gingerbread man activity! Please poke around your pantries and see what you may have." My own fault, I suppose, for allowing it to become my problem at that point. But I did. I couldn't NOT help out.

Anyway. I love Christmas, I love the kindness it brings out in people. I just really wish we could spread it out more evenly across the other 11 months. I want to feel like I've purchased nice gifts for my children that don't leave me financially drained, or them feeling either disappointed or spoiled. Tips? Suggestions? What works for you in the midst of the chaos?

I'm Either In Love, Or I Want To Be Adopted...

Ohhhh...what a night. Remember back in March when we went to see Taj Mahal at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival? Remember how much I loved it? Well we went last night, because he was in town. Our table was literally right next to the stage. I made eye contact with all 3 from the Trio throughout the entire show. Of course I gave them plenty of winks and thumbs up to let them know I appreciated their performance. I took this picture before the show, while trying to get the settings right on my camera so as not to interrupt the music with my flash. And then, horror of horrors, the emcee comes out and says "Please no flash photography... I mean actually, NO PHOTOGRAPHY AT ALL during the show." I of course planned to ignore his request, but my husband was mortified and "strongly encouraged" me to put my camera back in my bag. I didn't want to ruin our night together, so I tried to be respectful of his wishes that I be compliant to house rules, but it KILLED me. Seriously. KILLED.ME.

I swiped this picture off Google images, because it is exactly like the ones I would've taken, without even using a zoom, had I been "allowed" to use my camera. We were that close.

But because I love this man more than I love taking pictures of Taj Mahal, I showed restraint. My goal was to get a photo with Taj last night; since that didn't happen, I forced this guy to pose with me instead.

When the show was over, the Trio had to pass right in front of our table to exit. I was thrilled to be able to tell each one of the guys "GREAT SHOW! THANKS FOR PLAYING!" and have them reply with "THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ANDREA." Well, okay, the part where they called me by name is probably made up, but in my heart and in my head, I really heard it.

Take a listen, and then go download some Taj Mahal Trio. (Taj Mahal is the singer and main guitarist. He has a bassist and a drummer, who are exceptionally talented as well, and together they form the Taj Mahal Trio.) He has won 2 Grammys, and his music is just plain fun. I have a mini-crush on him, but I'm going to settle for adopting him as my Grandpa. Then at our family reunions, I can take all the pictures of him that I want.

Eyelash Candy

Do you live in Utah? Do you want to have sexy eyelashes? Maybe even for FREEEE?

Click on my handy link and maybe you could!

It's not really my thing, but I have several friends who've had it done, and I'm not kidding you, it instantly increases your WOW factor. And if you want to make sure that you're not getting nasty rat hairs glued to your lids, then you should make sure to go to my friend Dawn. She is hygienic and professional. And she's really funny, so maybe she'll do her stand-up for you while she's working. Although that could screw up the lashes, so maybe not. Anyway, go enter for a chance to win, or just get over your cheapness and pay for a set. If you do, let me know and I'll put your hottie picture up on my blog. I know, my generosity is overwhelming.

S is for Skip

Can I just start by saying that my husband actually ASKED me to write this post? I find that a risky move on his part, but who am I to say no?

As you may or may not know, I have a little "thing" for good nutrition. Let's be honest here... I am a vicious nag about eating healthy. If you are my friend, you may have felt the sting of my condescending glare as you sipped your diet Dr. Pepper. If you are my husband... well... let's just say your life may be the equivalent of a living hell.

The man I married was raised on Manwiches and processed cheese. I get a little surge of bile in the back of my throat when I think of the foods he most wants to eat. It has been a delicate balance in our marriage to find the line between me totally dominating the pantry, and him getting to actually enjoy what we eat. Mostly, I've won. And the times when he has won have been filled with a "lack of support" on my part. I have taken every opportunity to point out the damage he is doing to his insides. His heart is probably hanging on by a thread. I've pointed out that his arteries are surely strained at best... much like useless channels running through his body. I have cursed him for cutting short our golden years together.

Guess who went to the doctor this week? And guess whose cholesterol numbers came back OFF THE CHARTS? I quickly emailed my sweet friend Robin-The-Wise to ask her for some good pointers on how to negotiate the subject with my man. I realized this was no time for my traditional approach, and I felt he might be open to a rational discussion on health and nutrition after such a scare.

Well.

He broke the numbers down for me, and as it turns out, his super high number was that of his GOOD cholesterol. The number that is SUPPOSED to be high. In fact, the doctor told him that not only was it better than most men half his age, but that it was indeed THE BEST HE'D EVER SEEN. Fo'rizzle, people. I believe there was some reference to a "Teflon coating along the inner walls of his arteries." I think the man even did a jig. Yes, a jig.

All's well that ends well, however. Thanks to Sage Robin's advice, I was able to initiate a conversation with my husband that involved rational discussion followed by receptive appreciation. We do, indeed, plan to grow old together. He is actually grateful for my nutritious efforts, and I am actually penitent for my self-righteous approach. I will say it'll be a cold day in hell we probably won't go to a completely plant-based diet as a family, but we've come to a new understanding. And it's this: He is a demi-God of some sort, and we'll all just suck it up and eat more salad.

Plus, the guy really loves me. I met up with him at the memorial the other day. I saw him first, and went to take his picture. He turned and saw me, and look how big he smiled. If he can be that happy to see me in spite of my constant nagging gentle reminders about his eating habits, then we have a good thing.

Me + Lunch = Love

I am loving my lunchtimes. I look forward to them every day. I am home alone, and I only have me to cook for. I can make anything I want, and as I stated, nobody whines about it. I have cut out meats, dairy, and excess fats. I have, however, kept seafood in. Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are so good for you. Plus, I LOVE it, and no one in my house really wants to eat it. Except for tuna sandwiches, which they all love. 'Splain me dat, Lucy.

Anyway. Today I seasoned and broiled some salmon. I chopped and sauteed a Fuji apple, sprinkling it with cinnamon. I sliced an avocado, and PRESTO! An absolutely delicious, healthy meal.

As far as the rest of my daily menu... for breakfast I've been eating a piece of grapefruit or a banana, some whole grain toast (yes, I do still use butter on it) and a bowl of cereal (yes, I do still put milk on it). I usually have a glass of 100% juice to wash it all down. I could benefit from more fruits/veggies at breakfast.

Snacks throughout the day are kept on the kitchen counter. They are readily available to me and my kids. I have three bowls of fruit with apples, pears, clementines, bananas and grapes. We cut up several pomegranates and kept the fruit seeds in a covered bowl on the counter. Note to self: covered pomegranate seeds should be stored in the fridge, as pomegranate wine is not so good for the children.

Dinner still includes standard American fare... meat, potatoes, cheese, sauces, etc. with cookies or ice cream for dessert. Winter seems to invite those comfort foods. But I am happy to report an increase in healthy options all around. Baby steps for me and mine. What's the best and the worst thing you've eaten lately??

Veterans Day

It rained a little here today. There was also some beautiful sunshine. Both felt appropriate. The city dedicated a memorial today to its citizens who have been killed in action. We went with Ann to honor Conrad's name on this memorial.

The ceremony was appropriate, and there was a mix of sorrow for loss, and happiness for memories. It felt good to honor and celebrate these heroes' lives.

Ann was beautiful, as always, and showed more dignity and grace than I believe I would ever be capable of. On an exciting note, she is about to become my next door neighbor. She bought a home a few doors down, and we are thrilled.

My husband is a man of amazing strength and courage. He is a stellar soldier, and I have so much respect for him professionally. He is also a good husband. He's a good husband because he works at it. I think it's easier for him to be a soldier, but he loves me enough to try and be as good a husband as he is a soldier. That's what makes our relationship solid. There's a lot of love, and we just keep trying. I won't lie- I do not want him to deploy again. The very thought of it causes a knot of fear, maybe even terror, in my chest. But I am proud of his desire to serve our country.

This is an interesting history of our National Anthem. It's one of my husband's favorite clips. It may be long, but take a few minutes and enjoy it. And please let patriotism be more than a warm fuzzy feeling you get on a few select holidays each year. Find a way to make sure it's a part of who you are.

My Big, Fat, Exciting News

Remember when I mentioned my lazy days would be coming to an end in January? I was waiting for my official acceptance, which I received today. Drumroll please...

I'm going back to school!

I'm so excited. I love school, and this is a perfect time in my life to do it. I'm getting my masters in TESOL... Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

The best part is, in searching for a program that met my needs, I discovered that the University of Southern California has an ACCREDITED online program. This is fabulous because not only will it offer a more challenging course than most online programs, but it looks better on my resume. Also, I can do it all in my pajamas. Which, frankly, isn't much different than my undergraduate days... but now that I'm 37, I have an image to uphold.

Anyway. I'm thrilled. My classes will be during the days while the kids are at school, and I will be able to do all of my practicum work locally. Here's to hoping my aging brain can keep up with actual thinking. Wish me luck!!

Lunch: It's All About ME!

So. I've always enjoyed a healthy menu. And by "always" I mean "ever since I got out of college and realized a pan of brownies does not a meal make." I enjoy a good sausage, a few Oreos, and a well seasoned rib eye from time to time. But truthfully, my body feels better when I eat lean and well. It seems like recently, my friend Robin has inspired many people to give "the lifestyle" a go. Call it what you will, basically it's healthy eating to the extreme. (To the extreme, I rock a mike like a vandal, light up the stage and watch me jump like a candle).

Sorry. It comes naturally.

Anyway. I have enjoyed watching many of my friends give this a try, and seeing the positive results in their lives. I, however, truly feel for me and my house, a bit of meat and dairy is still important. And yummy. So I'm unwilling to jump on board 100% with "the lifestyle." But I figured since I'm home alone every day for lunch, I would give it a whirl. This past week was my first week. I'm not looking to lose weight, I just want to keep the old system clean and fresh. So I committed to fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, no dairy, no meat, and easy on the sugar. Here's how it went:

Monday: I put my back out early on, so I spent the day at PT getting electrocuted and massaged. Eating was secondary, and I didn't do it. Monday was a bust.


Tuesday: Here's my palette:

Basically I took all this stuff and made a sandwich out of it. I used the nice kind of ginormous whole wheat bread. I shook some salt, coarsely ground black pepper, and oregano over it. Then I splashed some olive oil and pomegranate vinegar. It was really, really good.

Wednesday: Used the same stuff, and threw it all in a bowl. I love the crunch. Pretty much it was the same thing as Tuesday, minus the bread and with more oil and vinegar. I will admit I missed the Feta I would ordinarily have used, or the bleu cheese dressing. But the stuff was still good.

Thursday: Acorn squash. I cut it in half, then baked it in the oven (350) for about 30 minutes. Then I put some brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and olive oil over each half and baked for ten more minutes. I scooped it all out and had it in a bowl. I used both halves, but that was way too much. It was really flavorful and extremely filling. I wasn't hungry again until supper time.

Friday: Tofu. I finally tried cooking this. I've always enjoyed eating it when prepared by someone else. But I've been nervous to try preparing it. I soaked it in soy sauce, sesame oil and mongolian fire oil. The kids were off school, so I figured it would make a nice hot lunch for all of us. I cut it into chunks and sauteed it. I served it with rice, and our favorite topping Nori Furikake. It's roasted seaweed and sesame seeds. Verdict: A big yes for Noe and I, a big no for the boys. They did not like the tofu. It was too squishy. Whatever.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I think I'll keep it up for a while and see if I get magically clear skin, healthy intestines, and an increase in energy level. At the very least, I'll have a yummy lunch that no one in the family will be whining about, because I'll be eating alone. HA. I feel better inside already!

Tunesday: Missing You

I love this song. I've loved it for years. There have been times when I've missed my husband like crazy. You know that feeling? When you love someone and they're not there for whatever reason, and you feel completely vacant without them? This song is a perfect description of that feeling. Plus, it's so smooth on the vocals and the melody is right on.
Don't click on the red square in the video that says "click here." It will just redirect you to another site.

My Take on Must-or-Must-Not-See TV

It's really chilly today. Raw, rainy and cold. I once got frostbite on a couple of my toes, and now if I don't make a huge effort to keep them warm, then they turn white on me and I can't feel them. This is a bad thing. So in order to prevent that from happening today, I am curled up under two blankets on my super comfy sofa, enjoying the fireplace and contemplating a nap.


I'll enjoy it while I can... it doesn't happen often, and truth be told, it's all about to change come January. Stay tuned for that news.


So what else. How about if we discuss the new fall TV shows? I'm not a huge TV watcher, but there were a few coming out this season that we wanted to try. Plus, we needed something to fill the void left by LOST. Here's my verdict on each (and for the record, B feels the same way as I do about every show but one. See if you can guess which one he disagrees with me on):

1. Hawaii Five-O: We made it through 20 minutes of one episode. What were we thinking by wasting those 20 precious minutes? I'm sure we were looking for a LOST fix since Jin is one of the leading characters. But the acting was horrible, and the entire crime was so conveniently easy to solve, that there was no point in finishing the episode. Or watching any others, for that matter. Ixnay on the Awaii Five O-Hay.

2. UnderCovers: We have seen all of the episodes of this so far. We figured it had Boris Kodjoe for me and Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Skip. That was a good call. The show itself, sadly, is a bit lame. It's predictable, cheesy, and unrealistic. But they keep teasing us with these red herrings of a subplot... so we keep tuning in. At least it's good-clean-fun, and did I mention it has Boris Kodjoe for me and Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Skip??

3. The Event: Touted as the lovechild of LOST and 24, we were promised mystery, intrigue, and compelling story lines. We've watched every episode, and have yet to have our expectations met. It's like they're trying too hard. Laura Innes is back, not as a physically disabled lesbian doctor, but as an imprisoned extra terrestrial biological entity (EB for short). It's us vs. the EB's and frankly, we are fairly incompetent. I mean, we look good doing it, thanks to some fairly attractive main cast members, but still... we pretty much don't stand a chance. Again, we are less than impressed with the acting on this one, although the storyline does have potential. We'll keep plugging along for a few more weeks and then decide if we should fire it like a useless Apprentice.

4. Modern Family: I realize this premiered last season, but it's new to us this year. I cannot get over how hilarious it is! It's politically incorrect in the most entertainingly humorous ways. It's quirky, twisted, and dare I say accurate in so many of its stories, that you can't pull yourself away from it. Plus, it's a great plug for Colombia, because if all its people are as drop-dead stunning as Sofia Vergara, well then who really cares about all the drug lords and political unrest??

5. No Ordinary Family: This is one we watch with Mika. I like it because it's appropriate for him, and it's hard to find shows like that after 8:00 at night. The premise is fun- this "ordinary" family suddenly find themselves with super-powers. The plots, while silly and at times a bit of a snooze, are at least free of gratuitous sex and violence. It's comfortable to watch, the acting is decent, and it gives my poor tween a chance to watch some nighttime TV that doesn't involve the words "documentary" or "biopic".

So there you have it. That's what we've been watching or not watching. Can you figure out which one my husband feels differently about than I do? Do you even really care? It's okay. No offense taken.

Some Happy News

Click over here to see more from a super fun daddy daughter dance, and my fabulous husband's birthday today!

Also, have I ever mentioned that Ann is supremely talented as a cake maker? And she was so kind to make this for Skip's birthday and bring it over tonight. It was a made-from-scratch chocolate cake, with whipped cream cheese frosting. It was SO YUMMY. I ate an entire piece. Thanks, Ann!!

MY BIRTHDAY GUY!! Love him more every year.

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