Say What?

This picture would be of a full package of donuts, except I love them too much and they were ripped into approximately one minute after I acquired them.

I love powdered donuts.

Mini powdered donuts.

My dad also loves them and between us we have decided that Little Debbie makes the best ones (none of the Hostess wannabes for us). If you are wanting to try the superior brand, don't be surprised if they are hard to find.

Every so often, my dad will offer to grab us both a package on his way into work. Today was one of those days.

In our family we call these little gems Cocaine Donuts (my mom is totally cringing right now).

We think it is funny and so we talk to each other like we enjoy a good hit.

Dad: Do you want a pack of donuts today?
Me: Yeah!
Dad: Cocaine, Chocolate or Glazed?
Me: Cocaine! Thanks!

And then I realize that everything I say in my office is echoed down the hall for all to hear.

Let's just hope they still think I am clean.

Is Pickle Juice Containable?

I love a bologna sandwich. Specifically, bologna, mustard and pickles. When taking said sandwich to work, it is necessary to keep the pickles separate until right before you eat the sandwich so your bread does not become soggy and gross.

Last week, I brought the sandwich, ate it and packed away the pickle container to take home. Somewhere between work and home the container tipped a bit and pickle juice got all over everything in my purse.

Not fun.

I figured that I did not put the lid on tight.

So then, today I go to bring the same sandwich again, and carefully close the Tupperware* container, even testing it above the sink before deciding that it is definitely closed, I don't need to worry.

I get to work and go to put my sandwich in the fridge and find....

Pickle juice all over my purse.

AGAIN!

Please tell me that this is something I can remedy, I need my bologna!

*the container is technically not Tupperware, but instead from IKEA.

Lessons Learned

at work events this weekend.

• I work with some of the greatest people ever.
• The Vee Bar Guest Ranch had the most perfectly cooked steak Ronnie and I have ever had. Since the event ended, Ronnie has talked about it no less than 6 times. It was that good. (The fact that it was part of a buffet is the most amazing part).
• No shoes can be comfortable for two consecutive 14-hour work days.
• Easton really likes me when he has not seen me for over 24 hours.
• I tear up when the chairman of the board thanks me publicly for all of the work I have put in. (No surprise to most of you, I'm sure).

A video or two...

I thought you might enjoy two short videos of Easton. One shows his love for basketball (ba-ball) and the other is the gibberish that he says when reading books to himself. That one was hard to catch on camera as he usually only does it when I am not in the room.

A few random thoughts

• Meal planning is the bomb. I love having ingredients and ideas on hand. Why don't I do this every week?
• Having a week with three dinners paid for (thank you work and dad) is also the bomb.
• Apparently, I love food. Free, or planned food.
• Spring is peeking its head around the corner (I fully expect one or two more massive snow storms before it fully appears).
• This is the week of one of my tri-annual massive work meetings which means I want to tear my hair out and stop dreaming about work.
• In the last month, Easton has gone from 3 to 7 teeth. Why is teething not a painless process?
• If you do or do not follow Bethany (shame on you), please read this article. Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I think about it again.

Thanks for sticking with me!

16 months and Easter

Despite my best efforts, Easton continues to get older. Darn him!

He is learning to run, which leads to some spectacular falls that entertain me and stun him. I don't feel like his verbal skills have really changed. He is working on saying Sarah and Jordan and due to March Madness is in LOVE with Ba-ball (basketball). I have videos of that to upload soon. He continues to sign all of the time and when he doesn't know the sign or the word, it frustrates him and me!

He loves ketchup and while at Wendy's earlier this month, he gave up on dipping the fry into it and just went for the kill. He was in heaven.

He also was very excited about this tomato, took a bite and then promptly spit it out. Like daddy, like son.

Because Easton went from 3 teeth to 7 teeth this month, he was in love with anything he could chew on. Including this spoon.

Cheesing for Mommy.

This is his Official 16 month Picture. Sad. I know. My flash was being funky.

And then I couldn't get him to look at me, just Handy Manny.

Easton also has a new fascination with standing on his head, so daddy helped him out the other night.

On Saturday, April 11, we hunted for Easter Eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's.

He was ready to be done after he saw the first candy, but then he caught on that there was MORE candy in the other eggs. 15 eggs was probably too many, and his favorite treat inside were mini marshmallows.

This is the only picture I have of Easton on Easter Sunday. He was GRUMPY and there are tears in his eyes. He is looking super cute though!

And finally a picture of all of his Easter loot. (minus a UW teddy bear that I forgot).

A few extra hours in the day

I found them!

Unfortunately, I can't share my new-found time with you. It's just for me.

Normally Easton gets up between 7 and 8 a.m. (when he is not teething). I don't have to be at work until 10 a.m. We normally lounge a bit, get breakfast, lounge a little bit more, I get ready, I get him ready, and then lounge until Ronnie gets home from class or I have to take him to my mom's house.

On Monday I was feeling motivated (apparently) and in those same 2 hours (roughly) I unloaded the dishwasher, loaded it again and ran it, finished two loads of laundry, cleaned the bathroom, and straightened the rest of the house.

I think I've found my new saving grace.

Working in the morning before I go to work.

I novel idea, I know.

I know, I know

It's been way, way, way too long.

I know that because even people who live in my town have been asking for Easton pictures.

They are coming, I promise.

Tomorrow.


(I really excel at procrastination).

The Big Winner(s)

So, I've been keeping you in suspense long enough.

I made.....


210 cards.


I thought that was pretty darn impressive until guesses started coming in that were over it! Apparently, I have many friends and family who think very, very highly of me.

The winner is my cousin Jill, who is always Jilly Bug when I think her name, but I usually call her Jill to her face.

My favorite part of this whole thing was talking to people about how they came up with their numbers. My sister spent an insane amount of time trying to decide if her guess should be even or odd and didn't spend much time at all on the range it should be in. Others were very sure about what the number could be divided by or if I would have to make just one more to get to an "even" number. My favorite was the friend who was all detective about it and went to my online gallery, counted the number of cards I had uploaded recently and then tried to figure out how many of each one I would have made. Too bad all that hard work didn't pay off!

I've also decided that a bonus prize will go to Jeri, since she really guessed that I had made 425 cards. I need to bribe her so that she will continue to think highly of me!

Thanks everybody--I think we may just do this again (when I can stand to look at my stamps).

P.S. I had a few ask what I was doing with so many--I sent 92 down to my aunt who works in a doctor's office. Her co-workers love my cards and love me and pay money for them (a little $ that feeds my sick addiction). While I was in the groove, I decided to keep on going, so I could have some on hand for all of the requests I get. Sadly (or not so sadly) I'm already down to about 50!

I always wonder

why titles like this are on the covers of magazines.

You can't see that? Let me spell it out for you. It's the May issue of Reader's Digest and the title is "How to Hide Anything" with things like "your anxiety" and "a spare key" underneath.

To me, it is like highlighting the magazine to say, "Hey! All you thieves, robbers, internet scammers, etc! Buy me to figure out where all of the idiots who follow this advice are going to hide everything!

Luckily, when you actually read the article, there is not a single word about spare keys (unless you count the GeoCaching section--as if I am going to have my GPS on me when I am locked out of my house).

I'm just sayin'.

*Don't forget to enter your guess to win some free cards!

Two Lessons

I learned about Diet Soda last night.

1. When spilled, diet soda does not leave a sticky residue--hooray for aspartame!

2. When spilled directly onto the keyboard of a very old and barely functioning laptop, diet soda will kill the machine.




*Don't forget to enter your guess for your chance to win some cards!

Groovin'

You know how sometimes you get into a groove?

If you are me, you are never NOT in a groove.

For the last week, I've been in a stamping groove, resulting in neglected house, child, and husband.

So, to make myself feel better, I counted the number of cards I have made in the last week.

Here's a sampling. (Click on the picture to go to my online card gallery).


And now for a little giveaway.

Guess the number of cards I made in the comments.

The closest guess will win a sampling of cards.

Hint: It's above 100.

You have until Thursday, April 9 at 11:59pm.

A few of my favorite beauty items

{Note: This post was totally going to have pictures. That were numbered. Using Photoshop. But then, my computer decided to be dumb, so excuse their absence.}

1. Everyday Minerals Foundation. We've all seen the infomercials. Ladies with suddenly flawless skin--but the prices! I just couldn't justify it. Until I found Everyday Minerals. They have a trial program. You get to try three different foundation colors, a blush and a concealer in mini sizes and just pay shipping ($3.95), this was the perfect way for me to make sure they were all they said they were. Next thing I know, I'm buying their custom kit. Six full size items for only $34. I can't tell you enough how much I love them. My face looks great and I don't have to reapply during the day. Zits literally disappear. Anything that can do that has my full support.

2. Foundation on my eyelids. I use old liquid stuff (leftover from before I found EM). Apply it right after my regular foundation, let it dry and then apply my eyeshadow. No more embarrassing creases at the end of the day. There are several eye primer creams available that do the same thing, but why pay money when you have something at home that will do the same trick?

3. BenzaClin. None of us like to talk about them. Zits. Pregnancy did a number on me-my face was a disaster area. After trying lots of different creams, rubs, masks, and cleansers I decided to ask the doctor. He prescribed BenzaClin. A lotion you apply ONCE a day (I'm all for easy). My face is clear and smooth without the dryness issues I was having with ProActiv plus it is totally economical. Cheaper than almost everything else I tried.

4. Hempz Body Lotion. LOVE. THE. SMELL. If this stuff was edible, I would totally eat it. I know everyone's preference with smell are different, but this is seriously my most favoritist EVER. Get some-your nose will thank me.

5. Pomade. Or more specifically, I use Garnier Fructis Style Surf Hair Texture Paste. Put it in after blow drying and before straightening to get just the hold and straightness you want. The difference this product has on controlling my frizz is amazing (and my hair is straight to begin with).

6. Venus Razors. These are old news, I know. BUT, if you are not using them, your legs are about to go on strike. You can be pretty sure that they are growing more leg hair out of spite. Smooth as silk and I've never cut myself.

7. French Manicures. On your toes. I've been doing this since college (thanks Cher) and love the ease. My nails look done, I never use nail polish remover (the white gets cut off when I trim my toenails, so I can just paint again), and it takes a total of 30 seconds on Sunday mornings before church. They dry in about a minute and I don't have to walk all careful-like. I am not careful AT ALL! No one is close enough to examine your toes, they look down, see the white tips and think "She is soooo together!".

8. Deodorant. Just deodorant. None of that antiperspirant stuff. No more marks on white shirts, or embarrassing wet spots. It took my body about a week or so to adjust to the change, but I'm never going back. You'll remember my quest to solve this problem a while ago.

Now, please share your favorites! I'd love to have the endorsement of friends so I can add to my must-haves!

Wait for it

So work is busy, life is busy (what else is new?).

I'm working on a post of my favorite beauty items. The things that I can not live without.

Be thinking about your favs, because I would love to add to mine!

My dreams are crushed (or something like that)

Until very recently Wyoming license plates looked like this:

That first zero before the cowboy was for the county number, so your license plate number was just four characters long.

Ever since high school, I have wanted to have a license plate that looks like this: (I have mad "paint" skills, I know)

My parents wouldn't let me get it--since I didn't technically own my car and Ronnie wouldn't let me get it for safety reasons (which I totally understand).

In my dream world, I knew that if Ronnie ever wanted to throw my safety to the wind, I could march down to the county office and get a license plate with my name on it.

Until yesterday.

As I was walking the 3.5 miles (approximately) from the parking lot I am allowed to park in (even though there are 100 empty spots in the parking lot right next to my building--a rant for another day) I saw it.

A car with my license plate.

MY LICENSE PLATE (imagine that sentence said in the way that Ross says "My Sandwich" on Friends).

It will never, ever be mine. (sob)

One of my favorite sounds in the world...

is the sound of rolling thunder.

When I am safe, inside, and warm.

I haven't yet figured out if it has to do with the connection to spring (which is not here at all by the way), memories of watching rain and thunder out the window, or some other unknown reason.

And it doesn't matter. I'll just sit and listen.

St. Patty's (a day late)

Easton and I hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's house while the cars were being worked on. He built towers and I tried to sneakily get a picture of his St. Patrick's Day shirt that Grandma Cali brought.

At first I was doing pretty well. Very sneaky.
Then he caught me.

And then I got the money shot. Cute smile, full shirt (so what if it is a little blurry).
But then he started to come in for the kill.

Action was taken (but not too much defensive action on my part, I wasn't leaving the floor).

He knocked me over and thought he had me.

So he got closer.

And closer.

And closer.

And then I admitted defeat.

Easton: 1 Mommy: 0

I guess I'll keep him

When my dad found out the ring was lost, he asked me if a new ring came with a new husband.

We had a good laugh over that suggestion.

But it looks like I won't have to worry about getting out into the dating world just yet...

We found my ring! And when I say we, I mean my father-in-law. All by himself.

Whew!

I hope it's in there somewhere

Ronnie's parents are visiting! (We LOVE visitors!)

So, Saturday morning we loaded up in the car to drive to the airport and pick them up (we couldn't very well have them miss out on an additional 2 hours with Easton).

Unfortunately the sun was bright that day--and in Easton's eyes. While adjusting my wedding ring on my finger (a very bad habit, I know), the sun became very bright and Easton screamed. I quickly brought a sweatshirt up to block his eyes and in the process, two parts of my ring went flying.

It happened in slow motion. I saw them in the air. Saw them hit the middle console. Saw them drop between my seat and the console.

And then I groaned.

We were on the freeway, so I decided that we could look for the rings later on. After all, they were just underneath the seat.

At this point Ronnie says, "Well, those might be gone forever" and I harrumphed. Yeah right.

We picked up our guests, ran errands, ate dinner and came home.

I went out to the car to search. Within one second of looking under the seat, I spotted my anniversary band. "See, this will be easy!" I thought.

Wrong.

Karen (my mother-in-law) and I proceeded to look EVERYWHERE for my engagement ring. Seats were moved, carpet moved and searched underneath. No sign of the ring.

Ronnie went out later, convinced that I had not searched thoroughly enough. (Just like I search cabinets inside when he says something is not there).

He didn't find anything either.

Sigh.

Next step? Ronnie and his dad will take out the seat and go from there. My fear is that it has now worked its way down into some unreachable place.

Only I could lose a ring while knowing exactly where it is.

Sick

The only thing worse than having the flu yourself...

...is watching your 15 month old go through it two days later.

Please excuse my blogging absence while I cuddle my normally-uncuddle-able child.