10 Random Things...

... yes, about me.

1) I went to the "district" level spelling bee in grade school. I messed up the word M-O-R-T-G-A-G-E. You see that "T" in there? Yeah, I left it out. Never forgot it again.

2) Not only do I still have my childhood Barbie House, Barbie Mountain Cabin and Barbie Tent Trailer, I have Lela's Barbie stuff, too. Sitting on the floor of my extra bedroom. Waiting to be sold on eBay or CraigsList. Anyone want to buy some Barbie stuff?

3) Lela and I, as kids, once lost an albino caterpillar in my house. We had named it Snowball before we lost it. We weren't allowed to bring the snakes we caught inside.

4) I like to dip french fries in chocolate milkshakes.

5) I hate asparagus.

6) I met my husband while living on Maui. I didn't want to date him. He was too nice. He flirted with me for 9 months before I finally gave in and agreed to let him make me dinner. He won.

7) I can actually take 3 hours to get ready in the morning when I allow it. (Yes, I can do it faster, too) I love to read the paper, drink my coffee, check email, check blogs... walk around procrastinating instead of drying my really-thick-takes-forever-to-dry-hair. Not great for feeling like I'm getting things done.

8) I have a girl crush on Kate Beckett from the show Castle. And a boy crush on LL Cool J on NCIS LA. Something about that grin when he's trying to be serious.

9) I believe that gut feelings and intuition are much more accurate than most people give them credit for.

10) I love crime shows. Castle. NCIS. NCIS LA. CSI. The Mentalist. Those I watch regularly. And I'll even catch reruns of Criminal Minds, Bones, whatever.

***Ally

FALL! & Female Conversations

I had a moment the other morning at the start of my period. This is the conversation that ensued.

Me: "My uterus feels like it's three times it's normal size. I can't even make my belly go flat. It's like there's a cantelope in there."

Husband: "What's in there? Is it full of blood? Full of water?"

Me: "Um.... it's full of anger."

He's a smart cookie. Pretty much stayed out of my way after that. Gotta love him.

....aaaaaand, if you haven't run away thinking this is a post about a crazy woman with an angry uterus - I assure you, it is NOT! Stay with me!

Nope, this is about Fall! Although I am a summer girl... although I must fight the gray mood that threatens to come with gray skies of fall and winter (and this year half of summer, too)... I am working hard to EMBRACE it (with some encouragement from my husband, who I love, who thinks I might need to change my attitude about the weather slightly if I'm to survive the winter. Ahem.). So without further rambling...

Fall. The things I love...

vibrant, brilliant, fall leaves
holidays that seem to come once a month
scarves
sweaters
boots
chili
soup
pumpkins
pumpkin pie
pumpkin anything
my birthday
fires in the fireplace
hot tea
crisp mornings with afternoon blue skies (we do get a few)
high school football games
Thanksgiving
getting out my wool jacket

There are many things to embrace in this season. And short of torrential flooding, I will do my best to ignore the weather and embrace them.

***Ally

Post It Note Tuesday

If you want to play along, check out That One Mom at Only Parent Chronicles.

PB Yum!

I tasted this dessert at a meeting, and had to get the recipe. I made it Saturday for a "dessert" potluck and it was a huge hit. It's filled with all the things I usually avoid, but it's so good. Glad I was able to take it somewhere else - I wouldn't want it sitting around my house - too tempting!!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares
30 Oreos (or similar) finely crushed (about 2-1/4 cups)
1/3 cup melted butter
1 4-serving size pkg instant vanilla pudding mix
1-3/4 cups milk
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1- 4 oz German Sweet Chocolate Bar, chopped
1- 8 oz container frozen whipped dessert topping, thawed

Combine cookies & butter, press into 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 375 for 5 minutes. Cool completely.

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions, except use only the 1-3/4 cups of milk. Immediately stir in peanut butter and chocolate. Fold in dessert topping and spread over cooled crust. Top with drizzled chocolate fudge sauce if desired. Cover and chill several hours or overnight. Cut into squares and serve. (My advice if serving somewhere warm - freeze for the hour before you serve it.)


YUM!

***Ally

Who Are You?

Recently I was asked to "tell a little about myself" to a group of women.

Oh crap.

I listened to women recite their marital status, names and number of children, and what they did for a living before my turn came up.

"Hi, I'm Lela. I have a teenage son and I am super-crafty. I love to paint and sew."

WTH? Super-crafty? As opposed to just regular-crafty? I mentioned my son but forgot to give props to my husband who made my son possible. Whoops.

Eight hours later with a computer in front of me I got to thinking, this is what I should have said:

My name is Lela. I am sarcastic and kind. People can count on me. I am artistic and creative and will rise to any challenge. Don't be intimidated by my loud voice and sometimes inappropriate comments. I am honest and have been blessed with common sense. I will call bullshit on you if I think you are full of it. In an emergency I will remain calm. Oh, and I am a daughter, sister, mother and wife of noble character, who writes a blog with her best friend.

Maybe next time.

-Lela

Young Romance...

I remember being asked to the homecoming dance when I was in high school. One was a quick question muttered during the 5 minutes we had between classes. And that was after Lela had already turned him down. Another time it was a setup that was just mutually agreed upon. Actually, I think that happened twice.

Apparently now it is all the rage to make a big, romantic production out of asking a girl to a dance (or in the case of a Tolo - asking a boy).

My son had some grandiose ideas ($150 announcement on the reader board at a Seattle Mariners game, for instance, or an $80 dinner at a really nice restaurant with flowers and a hidden message in the food), which I gently suggested he save for later in his high school career, so he doesn't burn out all the good ideas early and have nothing to top it later.

So this is what he came up with:

He left this on her front porch, and left a trial of baby roses down the walkway to the driveway.

Of course, he had the rest of the bouquet waiting for her as well.

But first, she saw this glowing question...

Here he is texting her to come outside....

And here she comes...

I'm pretty sure that was a yes. Since they've been going out for five months. *eyeroll* It's not like she was going to say no!

I was only allowed to witness this because he won't have his driver's license for another three weeks. I took my quick pictures and retreated to the car. My only advice to him was that he better save a good one for when he gets older and has to propose marriage! Ha Ha.

***Ally

Wordless Wednesday

I like them much better with a little rain on them - at least I don't walk through them unknowingly!

Post It Note Tuesday

If you want to play along, check out That One Mom at Only Parent Chronicles.

Christmas in September

About a week and a half ago, I was walking past the seasonal section at our local Kroger superstore. They were taking down the school supplies and putting up the Halloween stuff. Aaaaand some of the Christmas stuff.

That's right. Christmas decorations going up the second week of September. Sigh. Already? Hadn't the kids just gone back to school?

Ah, but this is the retail world.

At any rate, it got me thinking about my own Christmas list. Every year I swear I'm going to get my shopping done early and just enjoy the season. To be able to bundle up and go downtown and go window shopping without having to look for that perfect gift. This year there is the added incentive to get the shopping done BEFORE my husband's unemployment benefits potentially run out in November.

My list has morphed over the years. My dad's side of the family does a name draw, so we only have two adults to buy for there. My mom's side of the family has agreed to only exchange for the kids. And there are lots of kids. Nieces, nephews, pseudo nieces & nephews (who are the children of really good friends). And THEY have all (mostly) morphed into teenagers.

The only thing harder than buying for your parents-who-have-everything-they-need, is buying for teenagers. Especially teenagers that live in another state, which many of these do. Often I end up doing a gift card or money. Which is fine, and they love it. But every once in a while, I like to give an actual gift. But I'm stumped.

I was going to get really creative and decorate up computer memory sticks for them. I'd seen some cool customized ones online that were REALLY expensive. They all use computers, and I know with my son, he often will carry a project assignment back and forth from school on his little memory stick/thumb drive. I thought a personalized version would be good. I got out my crafty stuff and sat there with one of my own drives, trying to figure out how I would do it. And I had a creative block. Nada. Nothing. Everything seemed lame.

Anyone out there have any cool gift ideas for teenagers?

***Ally

The Egg Experiment

I am not a controlling mother. (Insert hysterical laughter from son and husband here.)

Let's just say it was hard for me not to comment as my teenage son worked on his eighth grade "egg experiment". Basically, you have to take a raw egg and drop it off the school roof onto concrete without it breaking. The kids are supposed to use their intelligence and imagination to protect the egg.

My son chose bubble wrap, a shoe box, and a parachute. Not bad, but that was after I refused to purchase balloons and rent a helium tank.

"Why don't you puts your egg in a ziplock bag in case it breaks?" I suggest before he begins. "That way it will save the $5 bubble wrap I just bought."

I couldn't help but add, "How are you going to make the parachute?" And before he could answer I said, "I think you should use a plastic trash bag."

"Mom, get out of here."

So, I watched as he cut the plastic trash bag crooked, made the most unsecured knots with twine, and held everything together with Scotch tape. Good thing he put the egg in a ziplock bag.

And to my controlled surprise, it worked. The egg in the bubble wrap in the shoebox floated to the ground with its parachute. And the egg did not break.

I knew he could do it.

-Lela

Cereal For Dinner? And Wordless Wednesday

Last night, around 8:30pm, we were discussing what to eat for dinner tonight.

A nice big piece of organic, grass raised beef was pulled from the freezer. A $29 piece of beef.

When my husband-who-I-love-more-than-anything-in-the-world took the dog out an hour or so later, he was going to put it in the fridge.

Guess what greeted me on the counter at 6:30am this morning?

Uh-huh. The beef.
No comment.
***Ally

Wordless Wednesday
(Never really wordless)

YUM!!
Still going strong! Late season raspberries are the best!

Post It Note Tuesday

If you want to play along, check out SupahMommy's site.

Not Another Birth Story - Really!

But I will say this:

Happy 16th Birthday
to my favorite son
in the whole world!
Okay, he's an only child but still.

Yep, 16 years ago today, I gave birth to this little sweet pea:

Wouldn't you just die for those eyelashes?

He's grown into a responsible, smart, loving, caring, adorable kid that he is today. I love spending time with him. I love that he still needs his mom (both his parents). I love that he talks to me, shares with me. I love that he cares about others and strives to be the best he can be. Even when he smells like Axe or teenage boy sweat. Even when he ignores my requests for chores to be completed. Yep, I'm a proud mama and I love being his mom!


Ally

Marital Advice

That is my husband and I exactly 15 years ago on our wedding day. Now that's romantic!

Once a year on our anniversary I dust off the 20 pound wedding album and remember our magical day. We got married on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean with a full military sword detail.

After we were pronounced husband and wife we walked down the aisle under outstretched swords, holding the tiny hands of my three-year-old, shy stepson. The same stepson who is now 18 and in October will join the United States Marine Corp like his father.

His little brother came as a surprise in our second year of marriage. He is now a teenager almost as tall as me.

Of course Ally was there! She left her baby son in Seattle to be in my California wedding and videotape everything. I couldn't have asked for a better bridesmaid or friend.

So for all you married folks I have some advice. Whenever you get angry at your spouse ask yourself this one, simple question: "Would this have mattered on our wedding day?"

This post is dedicated to my loving husband of fifteen years, who actually reads our blog. I love you more than I did on our wedding day!

-Lela

Exsqueeze Me?

My husband is so romantic.

Yesterday I surprised him with one of his favorite treats: Ritz crackers with a can of squeeze cheese.

To really show my love for him, I carefully arranged the crackers on a paper plate and decorated them with cheesy smiley faces and the words, "I luv u".

When he saw my masterpiece he said, "I love you so much."

Then he did the sweetest thing. He made me a cracker and squirted a message in cheese just for me.

Two balls and a wiener.

So romantic.

-Lela

Awesome Day - And A Friend's Perspective

Lela is a great friend, because she let's me rant about life and still loves me anyway. This is an email I sent her halfway through this past Sunday:

Sunday of Labor Day Weekend:

Allow myself to sleep in, therefore wasting half the morning, and don't really feel more rested. But have a back ache from too many hours on lousy mattress.

Get online and pay GIANT Visa bill. Awesome. Write 2K check for tax payment. More awesome. Feel extremely poor.

Husband goes out to work on deck and yells F&*K for the neighborhood to hear. Then yells it again while describing the problem after I ask him not to yell it.

Take shower finally. Day is half gone.

Look in mirror. Horror sets in.

Pop two zits that shouldn't appear at age 42.

Pluck 5 black hairs that I'm sure didn't exist yesterday.

Cover dark circles under eyes with two layers of concealer.

Cover red marks from zit popping and hair plucking (and the rest of my uneven complexion) with foundation.

Realize that my knee still really hurts and there is no freaking way I can complete my training and run a half marathon on October 24th, short of a miracle. (I am seeing a doctor & getting therapy, but there's not enough time! I've already signed up! I've already paid my entry fee!)

Realize that my heel still hurts and I am sick of wearing shoes all the time and really just want to put on a pair of flip-flops.

Look at list of "to-do's", which includes unwanted chores and dealing with major work decisions that are causing tremendous stress in my life.

AWESOME DAY!

Decide to be determined to make it a great afternoon. Will go for a bike ride with reluctant husband after going shopping for new bike seat so my ass doesn't hurt.

Wish me luck!

Yep. That was my day. I DID get that bike ride in, and it was peaceful and nice and we enjoyed it. And we had a GREAT marinated flank steak on the bbq, with a nice glass of red wine, which made me feel lots better. And true to our amazing friendship, Lela responded with a laugh and reminded me that a day like that makes great blog fodder...

***Ally

School Days

My son started the first day of 8th grade yesterday. I upheld the tradition of taking his picture while he held up 8 fingers, one for each grade. The last time he actually smiled for one was preschool, but I don't care. He's lucky I don't video tape him like my neighbor with four kids.

During dinner my husband and I asked him about his classes. One male teacher took pictures of each student on his cell phone. My husband and I exchanged worried looks and I asked, "What's his name so I can check the molester website?"

Then my hilarious husband asked if he made the kids take their shirts off. (Uh, no.) My son didn't think it was such a big deal. The guy was going to use the pictures for a seating chart. Welcome to the technology of 2010. (I am still going to check him out).

I have to admit, it was a pretty uneventful first day. After he left for school I blasted some Van Morrison and drank my coffee on the front porch, watching S.U.V.s go by, thankful we live close enough to walk.

Next year he will start high school but I can't think about that yet. All I have to do now is enjoy my days of freedom until summer.

-Lela

Three Years And Counting - SLOW IT DOWN

Today marks the first day of school for my son.

First day of his sophomore year.

Eleven more days until his 16th birthday.

He took his written exam for his driver's license yesterday. Driving test to follow after his birthday.

First day of the last three years of having him home with us.

Three more years until he graduates. And goes to college. And functions as an adult on his own.

I'm so not ready for any of this. Can someone please tell me how to slow time down?

YIKES!

***Ally