My Freak Secret of the Day

I cannot pee with the door open.

There, I said it.

I have been married over 11 years and I still have trouble peeing with the door open. I get the stage fright. I don't like anyone infringing on my personal time.

When my kids were little, I would be forced to pee with the door open during the day because you just never know with kids. I liked to be within ear shot. Then, as the kids got older, I started closing the door. Now, my bathroom breaks go something like this...

Me: Running upstairs as quietly as possible so I don't draw any attention to myself.

Kids: They can feel my presence lift from the room. It's their sixth sense I swear.

Me: I make it to the door, shut it, and quick lock it for safety. Business proceeds.

Kids: They get an instant need for my attention.

Me: thump thump thump... I can actually hear them coming for me!

Kids: Moooooooom! I need to talk to you! Are you almost done yet? What are you doing in there? I really need you right NOW! Come on Moooooom!

This all happens within a matter of seconds. It never fails. So, my bathroom breaks are clipped to a minimum. It's no wonder I like a little alone time with the door shut.

Oh, uh wait... excuse me for just a moment, I need to use the little ladies room. Shhhhhh, pleeease don't tell anyone!

Things that make me happy

1. A really good parking spot. I mean like almost in front of the door and everyone is looking at you with parking envy kind of good.

2. Target (I don't think I have to say more.)

3. When you are thinking about someone and then they call you.

4. Clearance items particularly those over 50% off. You hit 75% off and I'm in a discount coma.

5. Going to a restaurant with the mister and having him order what I want to try so we can swap dishes half way through the meal.

6. Gift Cards. They are like free money to me. I have zero guilt when spending a gift card. I just pretend that the store is giving it away to me. How fun is that?

7. Trying something fun that you used to be really good at, just to see if you can still do it. I recently tried a pogo stick again and I could still rock that thing.

8. Driving down a country road with the windows down, music blasting, wind blowing, and the kids singing at the top of their wee tiny lungs.

9. Getting the mail. It's a silly little thing I do everyday that brings me instant glee. I love the anticipation and possibility that there could be something amazing waiting for me in the mailbox. I have been known to go out in the dark late at night if I have forgotten to get it earlier. It's that good to me.

10. Lots and lots of comments. To a blogger, comments are the best form of flattery. I live for comments. I would go so far as classifying myself as a comment junkie. It's that bad but it makes me oh so happy.

What makes you happy?

I've decided to try to make spring come in my own way. On of my favorite things about nice weather is cooking out on the grill.

...and by cooking out on the grill I mean, prepping some food for the mister to grill for me. One of our family favorites is my secret burger recipe.

Freakishly Good Burgers
1 lb. hamburger (the good stuff)
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
½ tsp. seasoning salt
3 T. Worcestershire sauce
¼ C. real bacon bits

Mix the above ingredients and let sit over night. (If you get antsy, you can cook them right away.)Then form patties and grill to perfection.


I suggest serving them with toasted buns, lettuce, tomatoes and a zippy sauce. Try mayo and BBQ mixed together in equal portions. It’ll be a crowd pleaser.

If you want an easy side, here is my version of a classic.

Pasta Salad

1 box of twirly colored noodles. Boil and cool.

1/2 lb. cubed cheddar cheese

1/2 C. cubed summer sausage (peperoni also work)

1/2 C. diced cucumbers

1/2 C. diced red peppers

1/2 bottle of Kraft zesty Italian dressing

mix and serve

(This recipe is easy to tweak and make your own. Just put in your veggie, cheese and meat choice and you've got it the way you like it.)

I love a good cook out.

Do you think if we all grilled out at the same time and generated enough heat, the snow would melt? ...a girl can dream, can't she?

Winter Blues

I hate late winter.

When winter first arrives in Wisconsin, it's magical. I love to see the sparkly frost and the way the trees catch snowflakes in their branches. The first snowman is always the most exciting to make.

December comes and it feels comforting to have snow on the ground and stuck in your Christmas lights. Christmas without snow just feels wrong to me.


Then we drag ourselves through January and the temperature drops and a lot of the time it is too cold to snow. Yes, that is possible. Then winter turns into a cruel trick.


February comes and I'd be willing to trade my kidneys for some sunshine and a flash of green. I have mean and nasty thoughts about a ground hog who never seems to be on my side.
March acts like it's going to start letting in some good weather, but it's usually a tease.

April has been known to still have significant snow on the ground. That is just wrong.


May is full of surprises. I think this is the weather man's ploy to get us to watch him faithfully every night. I could send my kid to school in shorts one day and a parka the next.


Winter and I have a love hate relationship. Most of the time, I love to hate him.


I need a vacation. I'm not asking for much. Just a little sunshine and the ability to go outside without my coat on.



Stupid Winter!

Valentine Winner

The Valentine's winner is.....

Karen who said:

Oh, come on, you don't really have to fit into the lingerie! It just ends up on the floor most of the time anyway, right?

She wins because she found a way to have her chocolate and eat it too while still using her lingerie (although very briefly might I add).

Karen please email me your information (to taylors@genevaonline.com) and you'll have your chocolate in the mail by the end of the day.

Captain's Log: Attempt number 6,783,964 (and counting) This is my front room. You may have noticed that the furniture is rearranged and missing in some places. There is in fact an entire treadmill in the middle of my life.

This is my attempt at making myself exercise. I figure if I trip over the thing enough times, it might bring enough attention to itself to get used.

I have until the middle of April and then, if I'm really lucky, the sun will shine again and I can resume my usual walks outside. (Oh, and my house can go back to looking normal again.)

Curse you winter and the 10 pounds to add to my butt every year!

Thin is the New Happy

I just finished this refreshing new book. It caught my eye while I was shopping at Target a few days ago. I couldn't help but feel for this lady on the cover (I've soooo been there sister!). I started reading this book and it was like she had stolen whole thoughts from my life. It was funny and very introspective for me. She took something that has over taken my thoughts at times and turned it into something I can rationally deal with. She takes bad body image and kicks it in the butt. I have yet to read any of her other books but she's got me hooked now. If you have ever obsessed about your fat before-- this will be food for your soul.