Spring Fever

I can't believe that it's already April tomorrow. I definitely have Spring fever. This weekend is the Easter egg hunt. As long as the weather is nice. I already decorated for Easter. We're having it at our house. The daffodils in our yard are already coming up too.

No more 365 blog

I've decided to delete my 365 project blog. I have 3 blogs & really want to concentrate this 1 & I only update my family 1 once or twice a month anyway. I have other things to focus on. My friend Chris inspired me to give up 1 of my blogs. She just deleted her only blog. I'll miss her, but we will keep in touch. I've been having trouble keeping up with that blog anyway & adding photos all the time.

Mama & daughter

Tara now.

Me then.

Pampered chef party

The party was finally today after being canceled in January cause of a snowstorm. It was fun. The girl made 2 recipes, 1 was a chicken stir fry & the other was a chicken tortilla soup. We ate the stir fry today & will eat the soup tomorrow. They have some really nice stuff.

Accents

When you are teaching your kids how to talk, how do you not teach them to have your dumb Boston accent (I mean, how to not have your lovely accent)? I'm from the Boston area & have an awful accent. I know. Yesterday I was counting T's fingers & was saying 5 Fingus. What is a Fingus? That's how it sounds when I was saying it. I know it sounds horrible & never realized I called Fingers, Fingus. But there's lots of words that I say that just don't sound right & I really don't want her to have the same accent. I can try to not talk with that accent, but I really have to think about it. My whole life when I go away somewhere people wouldn't be able to understand me or would be like "Where are you from or are you from England?" I don't know why they think I'm from England. Cause it's New England? I also for some reason have a bit of a Southern accent & I seem to be getting more Southern lately. I love Southern accents, so I'd rather have her have that accent than a Boston accent. Whenever you watch a movie & the actors are trying to sound like they're from Boston, they sound like total brainless idiots. So I can use some advice on this.

Some updates

Today I went to Walmart & found out that there is a blood drive at the Boys & Girls club next Tuesday. So I'm hoping to go after my dentist appointment. Been finding more coupons online & printing tons of them. Getting ready for the Pampered chef party on Saturday & bought a few new shirts today (1 I'll wear on Sat & the other on Easter) & a sweatshirt for Tara & it was $9 for all 3. Tomorrow I'm going to Target & getting a cute door mat with Daisies on it (I saw it in the store flyer). I'm hoping to get all of my recipes in order tonight. I want to start making a new meal each week again.

Giving blood

I never gave blood before. Back when they use to have blood drives at my old job, I didn't weigh enough to give blood. Yes, I can definitely give blood now. haha. I was watching Extreme home makeover the other night & it had a girl on that had a rare anemic disorder & she had to get blood transfusions a lot. She was saying how important it is to give blood & how there is a shortage. So I want to give blood soon. I looked online for some local blood drives, but didn't see any going on right now. I have a doc appointment on Monday, so I'm going to ask my doc where I can go. I'm not sure if I could just give blood there. I want to find out what blood type T has too in case of an emergency. I was told by her pediatrition that I have to call the hospital that she was born at to find out. I haven't gotten around to it yet. I found out what blood type I have about 10 years ago & my hubby doesn't even know his.

These sound good

I saw these advertised in a mag today. They're in the nut section of the store & are suppose to be pretty healthy. I might try to find some tomorrow.

Free birthday treats

I was looking through Woman's day mag & found this website. http://www.freebirthdaytreats.com You can sign up for free treats for your b-day or your kids b-day @ different restaurants & other places.

Yum of the day

I made some trail mix about a week ago. I was hungry & wanted something different to snack on. I mixed salty sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts & peanut butter chips. It was really yummy.

Cool pic

We went to eat at a restaurant in Manchester tonight & they had this cool pic of Steven Tyler on their wall. It's a slow day for blogging today. The restaurant really wasn't that great. We prob won't go again.

Tattoos

I've seen a few other people do tattoo blogs. I thought I'd add some pics of mine & stories about where I got them all (what I can remember). My 1st tat, the half moon, I got on Sunset blvd in Los Angeles in 95. It took a few drawings by the artist & me running into a card store to buy an envelope with this pic on it to come up with this.

My 2nd tat, my heart I got in Las Vegas in 97. This is a pic of me getting it. Sorry it's so small.

This is what it looks like upclose.

My 3rd tat, butterfly. I got in Atlanta in 99 in Little 5 points. I got the idea from the shirt I'm wearing in this pic.

My last tat, the cat. I got here in NH, before I moved here (How boring) @ Tattoo fever in 2004. Pic of me getting it, I was in pain. This tattoo artist has done tattoos for Chyna (the wrestler), Mark Wahlberg & Sully from Godsmack. Sully's brother actually came in the day we were getting our tats. He looks just like him. We watched his wife get her belly button pierced.

My cat upclose.

This year I'm hoping to get a 5th tattoo (depending on $) maybe in May for Mother's day & our anni. I want to get Tara's footprints from the day she was born & her name tattooed on my right ankle below the heart, that I already have. I'm going to try to make it look like it's 1 tattoo. I also want to get my belly button re-pierced this year. I had to take it out when I got preg. I originally had it done in 1999.

The most wonderful time of the year

I'm so excited that today is the last day of Winter. It seems like this Winter went pretty fast. I mean it was just Halloween & New years & now it's already almost April. I'm so ready for the nice weather & the park & walking etc.. We already went for 2 walks since Sunday.

Fake Shamrock shake

I decided to try to make my own shake since they sold out a few days ago. It wasn't bad, just needs a little tweaking. I used light ice cream & 1% milk. It just needs a bit more mint & maybe some ice mixed in with it in the blender.

Fake Shamrock Shake

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla ice cream or soy ice cream
1 1/4 cups 2% low-fat milk or soymilk
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
8 drops green food coloring
Directions
1 Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
2 Stop blender to stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend ice cream.
3 Pour into 12-ounce cups and serve each with a straw.
4 Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's day 09

1 of those days

1st I went to a grocery store that I hate. I got to the deli dept & there were like 20 people standing there. I took a #, it was 100. They were on like 81. Finally they were on 98 & I told T that we were getting close. Then all of a sudden they call 99 & then double 0. Then 01, Um wait hello, what about #100? So I step fwd & say I have 100, the woman gives me a dirty look & asks what I want. As I stepped up they had called 02 & the woman next to me got mad cause she served me before her. She had 02. Is it me or would you think that they had started all over at 0 & skipped 100? It took me a minute to catch on that double 0 is 100. How dumb is that? So I was in a bad mood. Tara had on my pink headband & I noticed it was missing, so I had to back-track where we were, luckily there it was on the floor. So I left there & stopped at McDonald's to get a Shamrock shake. We went in cause the drive thru' line was too long. I never do drive thru's. So I ask for a Shamrock shake & the girl says we don't have any, we already sold out of them. Everyone everywhere is out of them because we sold so many. What? I prob looked like I was gonna cry. So I left, heartbroken. I'm waiting for some coupons from a coupon swap. She mailed them like a week & a half ago, so I got the mail & they weren't there. I'm hoping they are really on the way & she didn't screw me over. So I drive up the driveway & the bag I left out for the girl, who was picking them up is still sitting on my front steps. So that got me madder. She did end up coming 2 hrs after she said she would. Then I decide to make lunch & was gonna have some cinnamon crumpets that I just bought today. I put 2 in the toaster oven & go to put the rest in a plastic bag & noticed that underneath they have blue mold all over them (well 1 of them). So I took the others out of the toaster & thru' them all away. The last thing is I attempt to paint T's nails green for the St Patty's day party tomorrow. She's usually really good & blows on them & waves them in the air. Today she kept touching them & got them on her shirt, new bib, my sweater & her nose. So they're a total mess. Calgon take me away.

Getting rid of my clothes

I know it sounds crazy, but some of my stuff is really old. So I'm getting rid of a ton of things. So far this Winter I've gotten rid of at least 10 trash bags of clothes. I have a few bags going to freecyclers this week. My closet is so neat. I've also inspired my Hubby to go through his closet & get rid of some clothes too.

Meal planning

I'm going to start meal planning every week. I've been thinking about it for a while, but 1 of my friends was telling me that she does it & she also buys the Sunday paper for coupons. We're going to do that too. I've been finding all kinds of deals online & on blogs.

Honey-do list

I found this list yesterday on the computer. I thought it was cute. You can add whatever you want to the list. I'm a total list person. I keep a notebook with me at all times.
http://www.quickerpickerupper.com/en_US/things-to-do/index.jsp

I'm a great Aunt

My niece finally had her baby on March 10th @ 7:44pm. She was due on Mar 2nd. She named him Evan Nicholas. I probably won't get to see him till April or May, when we go visit. They live 2 & 1/2 hrs away.

Am I getting old?

I had the radio on in my car today & Nickelback's song "Something in your Mouth" was on. I've heard it a bunch of times, but the lyrics are kind of dumb. Don't get me wrong I love Nickelback & kind of like the song, but Really? I think I'm just getting old. I roll my eyes everytime I hear the song.

Scrapbooking convention

I'm thinking of going to Creating Keepsakes convention in NH in May. Have any of you attended this before? It sounds like fun & it will be nice to take some classes & have fun. I'm just trying to figure out what classes I'm going to take & how much it will cost.

I hate it when stores close

We've lost so many great stores over the years. We went in Circuit city on Sat. I figured it would be all junk left & it was. I know most people look at it like "Yay, there will be markdowns & clearances" when a store closes. But I look at it like the store is gone forever. Some of my faves that are gone are Ann & Hope, Rich's, Caldor, Ames (Zayres), Linens n' things, Lechmere & Filene's (my all-time fave that we lost). That's all New england (Northshore area). It seems like they close a store if there's more than 1 of it. Like they closed Linen's n' things, but we still have Bed, Bath & Beyond. Does that mean that we might lose either Michaels or AC Moore or Bath & Body works or The body shop? I'm sure I'm forgetting some stores that closed. You can add some if you think of any or if you have any stores in your area that closed.

Slow computer

My computer has been so slow lately. It's driving me crazy. No, I don't have a cute fuzzy pink computer like this 1. I wish. So it's taking me longer to do things on here lately. So bare with me. I'll send some comment love soon.

It really works

I had heard that if you have a candle holder with melted wax in it & you want to get it out, to put it in the freezer & the wax comes right out. I tried it last night & it really does work. I put it in the freezer & this morning took a knife & it scooped right out. Also last week I saw a girl on a show (I think it was on Ellen's show) & she mentioned some $ saving tips. 1 of them was a do it yourself Biore black head remover. Take Elmers glue put it on your palms & rub it on your nose. Let it dry & peel it off & it takes the black heads out. I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure if it really works.

What's for dinner tonight (Spaghetti pie)

This is 1 of my fave dishes. I haven't made it for a while.


Spaghetti pie

Ingredients
1/2 pound cooked spaghetti
2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
2 large eggs well-beaten
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, plus
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup prepared spaghetti sauce, of your choosing
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss hot spaghetti in large bowl with the butter or olive oil.
2 Combine eggs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan in a small bowl and stir into spaghetti.
3 Pour spaghetti mixture into a lightly greased 10 inch pie plate and form into a crust.
4 Spread ricotta evenly over crust, but not to the edge & Top with spaghetti sauce.
5 Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes.
6 Top with with shredded mozzarella and bake until cheese melts - about 5 minutes longer.
7 Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
8 Cool 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

New foods

These aren't new foods, but they are new to me. I never had either before. I bought both when I went food shopping yesterday. I like the crumpets. They remind me of English muffins. The polenta wasn't what I thought it was going to be. I thought it was going to be more of a cornbread type thing. I kept frying it & frying it & I just didn't think it was cooked good/right. This type you just slice & cook. We still have half of a roll left to cook.

New England vacation spots

I'm already thinking about our Summer vacation. We were hoping to go to VA to see some friends & relies, but 1 of my main friends I was gonna visit might be moving to FL. We'd also have to drive & it's 12 or more hrs away. So I'm trying to think of a cool place in New England that we could go to for a few days. We've been to Bar Harbor, Maine 3x, York beach, Maine, Cape cod a few times, Martha's vineyard. So we'd like somewhere diff, with lots of shops, restaurants & maybe near the water. Maybe Old orchard beach? I haven't been there for years, but don't think there's much there. Or North conway. Any ideas? I've been pretty much everywhere in New England. I mean I've been to every state & all the East coast states. We'll prob do North conway. I know there's a really cool hotel there, but it's expensive. Each suite is a diff theme. Like the jungle room, log cabin. I thought of the mansions in RI too. I know we have a long while to decide.

Cool site

I was just going thru' some of my faves that I have saved on aol & found this site http://familylobby.com It seems pretty cool. I'd like to check it out more. I haven't set up a site or anything yet. Hopefully I can check it out this weekend.

Baking

I really like baking, but hate all the calories. I love making corn bread on a Friday or Sunday morning. The bad thing is when I bake, I eat the stuff too. I hardly ever make sweets, cause I'll be the main 1 eating them (other than my Dad when he visits). We're trying to not have Tara eat too many sweets. Does anyone know of a website with lowfat desserts, breads, etc..? I know there's cooking websites with baked goods on them. But I would love to find a site with just healthy/lowfat baked goods. Not sure if they have just that.

Happy March~Spring cleaning

Happy March everyone. Spring isn't far away. Really it isn't. I started doing some Spring cleaning & will be doing more the next few weeks. Gave away some Glamour & Cosmo mags, my old computer desk, some perfumes & body sprays & 5 purses on Freecycle since Friday. I got some craft mags, a few rubber stamps & a scrapbooking tool. My bathroom cabinet is looking pretty good, but I do have more things to get rid of. It makes me feel good giving things to people. The way the economy is, everyone can use some help & getting free things is awesome.