Welcome Back

Thanks for hanging in there.  I'm back and as soon as I wade through my laundry-- I'm all yours.

Auto Correct

I just love my IPhone!

However some of the wonderful features end up getting in the way from time to time.

When you are typing, it auto corrects your words for you.  It is really nice for a spelling challenged person like myself-- unless, it fixes something you're not trying to spell.

Well, someone was clever enough to start a website that highlights these silly mistakes.  There are some pretty good ones.  If you need a laugh-- check it out HERE.

Things I love

I have found a few things that you must know about.

My big guy, Flash, is a real challenge for me.  First of all, he is hunormous.  (yes, that's a word)  So when I take him on a walk we usually do it off leash.  He is extremely obedient and there is a nearby secluded area that we like to frequent.  When I get him on leash it's a freakin' circus.  He is a tugger and I prefer to verbally command him than physically try to fight with him.  He also has a habit of barking when he is nervous or being bossed.

Here is my fix.

Kong (yes the ones that make the weird shaped rubber toys) makes leashes and harnesses.  Flash is a tugger and it's almost impossible to walk him and have your arm attached when you are done.  This leash is by far the best I've ever used.  It has a padded handle that is adjustable (like if you want it to hook on your belt or something) and it also has a rubber grip close to the dog that helps you control the tugging.  With the added bonus of a harness so there is no pulling at his neck.  The harness also comes with a clip to hook him into a seat belt in the car.  Big guy loves to roam the car and it is quite distracting to drive with.  With the harness and clip I can drive without fear of accident. 

 I am also in love with this game for my iPhone.  It's called words with friends and its a scrabble game you can play with other iPhone users you know or don't know.  You can do it at your own pace whenever you have a free minute.  I love that I can bring it up while I'm waiting in line or for the kids.  I've never been a huge scrabble fan but this makes it really addicting.  Wanna play?  You can invite me to a game if you'd like.  My user name is Lecaunplugged. 

In other news, I'm trying to plan a vacation for our family to Orlando.  I'd like to know if you have any tips for cheap, fun-- different stuff to do there.  We are going to do Disney World and Universal for sure.  Got any good tips?

Vlogging

Today I went a different direction for you guys.  I thought I'd try out vlogging and see how you like it.  Vlogging is like blogging but it's a video instead of text.  This is my first try at video editing so bare with me. 

Don't be shy-- let me know what you think.

If you guys like my new venture, I'll try it again. 

Happy Vlogging Day!

Eyebrow Ouchies

When I was in college I had a friend who told me I should really think about shaping my eyebrows.  I have almost invisible eyebrows because they are blonde, so I never considered shaping them.  I thought about it and asked her what she would recommend.  She told me I must get them waxed-- that was the only way to go. 

So I waited until I had a break and went home to try it with my sisters.  I made an appointment at a salon and took a sister with as a witness.  The lady had a bit of a mix up with the wax and didn't warm it all the way the first time so she tried again.  Then she redid parts that she had missed again and again.  By the time I left I looked like I had six eyebrows.  Red- normal-red  on both sides.  I have really sensitive skin so it stayed red for quite a few days.  I had to wear a red hat to cover up the red of my face.  It was not pretty.

Since then I have stayed away from wax and tried out other ways to shape my brows.  I started with plucking but to be honest-- that really hurts.  So I searched for another less painful way and I found these...

I love my eyebrow razors.  I use them all the time and they don't hurt a wink.  It's easy and fast.  It works so well I even use them on my kids.  (shhh... don't tell)  Beauty tip of the day-- eyebrow razors, you should try 'um.  I buy mine at Wal-Mart in the beauty section next to all the nail files and special tools.

Trust me-- your eyebrows will thank me later.

I Scream, You Scream

I have a sweet tooth.  It's one of my biggest weaknesses.  Although it's not a trashy eat around kind of sweet tooth-- please, I have my pride.  It's a highly trained tool of wonder.  I prefer cake and cookies over candy and other riff raff.  So when it comes to ice cream I'm in a bit of a quandary.

I have been known to order ice cream when it is socially necessary.  In our area it's usually frozen custard which is completely divine and requires its own category above ice cream.  But when I go to the grocery store the ice cream flavors seem like a taste sensation.  They are too good to be true.  They lure you in with double chocolate brownie and caramel swirl cookie dough.  I fall for it every so often.  I'll buy a particularly sinful flavor and take it home.  I open it up and have a big frosty bowl full of creamy deliciousness.  That's where me and ice cream part our ways.

Pathetic-- maybe.  But no matter how hard I try, once an ice cream has been opened, it looses all appeal to me.  I can't handle the freezer crusties that ice cream automatically gets once the first scoops have been taken.

Right now, as we speak I have chocolate ice cream that is destined to die a slow and drawn out death in my freezer.

Is it so wrong? 

I'm an ice cream snob-- OK?!?

I don't know how to stop!

Sick Day

This past week I've been battling a cold that just won't quit.  I wake up feeling like my head grew ten sizes in my sleep.  My throat is soar and scratchy and I just feel yucky.

I have come to realize that being sick is both bad and good.

The bads are-- well, you're sick.  duh.

The goods are you have an instant excuse for anything that may go wrong.

I don't get sick very often but when I do my kids approach me with caution.  They look at my very intently like I might be taking my last breath.  They think I'm old enough that I could keel over and die any second.  They have been very helpful and willing to do whatever I've needed them to do this week.  Well, you know, it might be the last time they ever hear my voice....  sniff sniff.

I have found that whispering, when sick, is an excellent way to get your kids' attention.

Me:  Do you think you could do your laundry?

Kid:  Sure Mom no problem.  Do you need anything else?

Me:  No, I'll be ok-- really.  Cough Cough

Kid:  Oh, I hope you feel better soon.

It's been several days worth of eating out, extra attention and a quiet house.  I'm pretty sure the Mister is just about done with sick me.

I've been milking it just a little-- maybe.  But hey, this is as close as I can get to a vacation.  Don't judge!

Zappos!

I'm finally at the age where my shoes still look new on top but the bottom is almost worn out.  I have a few pairs of everyday shoes that I adore and they both kicked the can at about the same time.  I noticed that the insides where shredded and the bottoms were slick and pattern-less.  So what is a girl to do?

I started the usual shoe browsing at a few of my favorite stores and didn't find anything that I loved.  My policy is if I don't think it's drop dead amazing, then I'm not going to spend my money on it. 

Then I thought of one of my favorite sites called Zappos.  I knew I loved Keens, Simples and Rocket Dogs so I did a search on those brands.  I came up with oodles of possibilities that I didn't see in any stores.  They have free shipping and returns and endless selection-- what's not to like?

They arrived just moments ago.  I looked out the window and saw the UPS guy coming and ran out to greet him.  I informed him that these were my new shoes-- YAY!  He didn't seem all that moved so I swiped them and ran.




Here are my newest beauties...

I think I'm in heaven!

I love looking down and getting a little happy bubble from my footwear.  Shoes really do make the outfit!

If you've never Zappos-ed-- you really must!  Try them on for size HERE.

Happy Shopping!

Dinner Disasters

Well, it's that time again-- New Years.  You can go to the store and find oodles of work out equipment and stacks of plastic containers.  I think all retail shops think we should be thinner and more organized. 

I've given up on both.

Well OK, if you're going to pressure me like that-- than yes, I did cave and buy two pieces of Rubbermaids.  I have dreams of organized Legos.  It was just the one purchase though, I swear.

Anyway, one of my goals this year is to get my kids to eat food.  After visiting many peoples homes this holiday season I came to realize that my kids are mutants.  They don't eat much outside of yogurt and bread.  With that in mind I have decided to start cooking things I'd like to eat and hoping that the kids will cave and join in.

Day 1:

Chicken Pillows

Breckyn:  The bread is pretty good but the guts are nasty and I don't eat chicken.  Can I have something else?

Zoey:  It's OK.  I'll eat it if it really means that much to you.

Rugby:  Nope.  I don't like it.  What's in it?  Can I have Pop Tarts instead?

Em:  There is no way I'm eating that.  (After some persuasion he sat with a bite in his mouth for several minutes refusing to swallow.)

Day 2:

Manicotti
(which I might add is basically different shaped spaghetti)

Breckyn:  It's OK if there wasn't so much sauce.

Zoey:  I think it's pretty good.  (plate still pretty much covered with food)

Rugby:  Can I have more garlic bread?

Em:  I'm not eating this!  (After much persuasion a few bites went down.)

Day 3:

Enchiladas....

I'll keep you posted.




Tell me it's not just me?

Where Toast Goes to Die

Toast.

It sounds so simple and yet so complicated.

I want to have some toast.  So I put in my nice fluffy white bread and click.  My warm crispy creation is on its' way to perfection.  I stand and watch the timer count down.  It says 45 seconds.  I think, "Hmmm, I could get some of these dishes put away in 45 seconds.  No point just standing here."

I go to put away the dishes and feel like turning on a song.  Once I have my music picked out I go back to the dishes.  Then I notice the table needs to be wiped down and I get right on that.

I remember my toast.  Dang it.  It's cold and hard.  Well, I might as well not waste perfectly good bread.  I'll just pop it down for a few more seconds and it'll be good as new.  Click.

The timer says I have 45 seconds which is plenty of time to clean my sink.  Then when people come over they will think the whole kitchen is clean because the sink is shiny.  Humm humm humm my clean clean sink.

Sink is clean and toast is well... toasted.

Can you cook toast three times?  Why not?  Three times the charm.  Click.  I think I'll go change the laundry...

Several hours later...

I feel like some toast.  Oh, geez who left nasty crusty toast in the toaster?


Me and toast, we have issues.

Back to the real world

It's hard to get back in the blogging groove after a long break.

My brain feels like jello.

I think I have holiday hang-over or something.

Tomorrow I'll be sending the kids to school and staying in my jammies for a while just because I can.

Tacky... maybe, but much needed after a long action packed break.

Here are just a few things I learned this holiday season...

1.  Kids come with two volumes.  Loud and LOUDER.

2.  The older your kids get the more expensive their wish list is.

3.  Dogs can and will punish you for staying away too long.

4.  Target has really good chocolate covered butter toffee macadamia nuts but they are only sold at Christmas time.  They are sold out at all of our Targets.  I really need some right now.

5.  Laundry piles up at our house quicker than you can say dirty socks.

6.  There should be two holiday breaks.  One for family and one for you all by yourself. 

7.  Pee does not just flush into the air from an airplane and land on people's heads.  OK, I already knew that one but I had to prove it several times to my kids.

8.  You can love a gift and still have to return it.

9.  You can buy all the Rubbermaid bins you want-- the basement still will not stay organized with kids living at home.

10.  I am in love with sunshine.  I need it.  I want it.  I crave it.  California has a lot of it.  Couldn't they just share it with us sometimes?