Tuesday Strikes Again

Tuesday, we meet again.  Something keeps you coming back.  Is it my wit and amusing conversation?  No?  Oh, it's just part of the routine.  How boring.
In other news it's time to be random.

• How come cats are nauseated by new or clean carpets?  And how exactly can they aim it to be right where a bare foot will land in it?
• Anyone have a good idea about how to teach a little boy how to poop on the potty?  Bruiser has issues with the whole going poop all at once.  Things have been unpleasant around here.  For everyone involved.
• We are sort of looking forward to the Superbowl this year.  We are spending it with our cousins and planning on munching our way through several different appetizer selections.  I watch mainly for the commercials.  
• Oh has anyone see the Matthew Broderick Honda commercial on line?  The one that spoofs on Ferris Beuller's Day Off?  I saw it yesterday and I though it was sort of cute, silly, but cute.

• Sleep has become elusive again.  Melatonin helps, but insomnia wins more often than I like it to.
• Valentine's Day is two weeks away.  Not that we will be doing anything exciting.  Nick Shoots Archery Club Tuesday nights.  And really who wants to try and find a sitter on a Tuesday?  Maybe we will go to lunch.  Romantic, I know.  We are living the dream.
• I scaled Mount Laundry this weekend.  It's just a mole hill now.

That about covers my random for this week.  Go join up with Stacy for more random.

And go join up with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk To Us Tuesday.

Happy List

What's making me happy this week?

1. Seeing Bruiser so happy with his low key birthday.
2. Seeing Turbo, my anti-reading boy, choosing his first chapter book, and liking it.
3. A good night's sleep, however elusive.
4. Greek yogurt.
5. Going swimming.
6. Reading good books.
7. Free Amazon Kindle books.
8. Salads for lunch.
9. Getting together with good friends--who happen to be family.
10. Dreaming about the fun of the coming summer.

What's making you happy this week?

Join up with Mamarazzi and tell us all about it.

Birthday Weekend

We had a fun and busy weekend.  There was swimming, friends, family and a little boy celebrated bring 6 3.
To start Turbo had a friend over for a play date after school on Friday.  This was the first time we had had this particular friend over.  The afternoon was a smashing success.
Saturday morning, after getting all the grocery shopping done, we packed the boys up and went to the rec center for some swimming.  A good time was had by all of us, even if Turbo got a small case of "I can't hear you" when it was time to go.
Saturday evening the guys had a pajama party in front of the TV and watched movies.  They had a blast, mostly. Nick didn't sleep all that well as Bruiser kept landing on him when he fell off the couch.  Getting a toddler butt on the head does not a restful night's sleep make.
Sunday morning when Bruiser got up we asked him how old he was.  He promptly told us he was 6.  We had to correct him and we think he has it.  He's three.  We took Bruiser to Burger King--they have an indoor play place--to meet up with the grandparents for lunch and do a bit of birthday stuff.

Some of the loot Bruiser got.

His first successful run down the slide.

He had a blast.  So did Turbo.
For the afternoon, Bruiser napped and then we headed over to our cousins' house and let the kids have fun.

Bruiser got to blow out candles--on a cupcake.  He got some monster trucks and a couple hot wheels cars.

Bruiser really liked the frosting.
It was an eventful weekend for the little guy.  For all of us really.  I know I'm not ready to face the week.
So how was your weekend?

I Confess

Time to confess:

• Mount laundry is growing again.  
• It's all I can go to keep the dish monster tamed.  
• The love affair is over.  
• There is nothing they can do to regain the magic. 
• I'd totally break up with them, but I know I don't want to see what they could do if left alone.
• I need a nap.
• I think that naptime should be a part of the day.
• For that alone I'd head back to kindergarten.
• It's Friday!
• It's Bruiser's Birthday on Sunday.  
• We are not doing much this year.
• Lunch with the Grands at the play place at Burger King.
• Then over to visit the cousins.  
• We really don't know anyone who has kids Bruiser's age.
• He will get his first big birthday once he is in school.
• For now, he will just be happy to see his cousins.
• We have never really done the party thing all that well.
• Organizing a big party just never really works out.
• I'm good to get a cake, presents and people in the same place.
• No big blow out extravaganzas here.

So what do you have to confess?  Go join Mamarazzi and confess away.  I've heard it makes the weekend better.  It always works for me.  Confess it up, go on it's easy.

Spin Cycle--Working Perfect

This weeks's spin cycle is the perfect job--the one you want, the one you have, or how ever you want to go with it.  Sigh, I had the perfect job for me and my family.  Then the economy crashed and I lost it.
But let me tell you about it.
It all started when Nick decided to go back to school so he could work smarter, not harder.  He had been in construction for about 7 years, 3 years full time.  It was a lot of out of town work and too much wear and tear on his body.  So in 1999 he decided that he would go back to college, this time for a degree that he could actually get a job in.  He chose Geology.  He graduated with his degree in 2002.
Shortly after that I got pregnant with Turbo.  I quit working at a chiropractor's office about 10 days before I had Turbo. Then after I had been home with him for a while the question came up about what I would do now.  Going back to work at a retail job held no appeal, and working in another doctor's office held even less appeal.  So what was I to do?  Well I liked the geology that Nick was telling me about from what he had learned.  Maybe I could do that.  So I looked into the student loans and headed back to school.
When I graduated, one of my professors came up to me at the reception and asked if I was interested in part time work from home as a consultant for a uranium exploration company.  I jumped at the chance and was able to work for them, from home for about a year and a half.  The work was interesting and allowed me to do research and field work.  And I was able to be available for Turbo.  Sadly the position did not last.
Now I work for the university in our town.  It is work as a geologist.  It might not be my ideal, but it is flexible and I enjoy the fact that it is not the same day and day out.
So what is your ideal job?  Do you have it, or do you know what it is?  Or does it even exist?  Spin it up and join in on the fun with Gretchen at Second Blooming.

WWTK--Favorite stuff

We Want To Know time again.  Mamarazzi is asking this week:
1)  What is your favorite room in your house and why? (bonus points for pictures)  I have to say our master bedroom.  It is calm, cool, quiet (it's in the basement) and with the attached bathroom, just about the perfect master suite.  (Sorry no pictures, it's not exactly showcase ready, the laundry mountain is growing.)
2)  What is your favorite time of day and why?  It's a toss up.  I like the going home form work time--especially on Friday, but the time after both boys are in bed is pretty good too.  I like the going home from work time because I get to see my little boys again.  I like the after bed time because I don't have to be on duty to police squabbles and such.
3)  What is your favorite genre of music (or band/singer) and why?  Right now I like country music, but I still like the 80s rock and roll I grew up with.  The country I like today reminds me of the rock I listened to in high school.  It's fun and I really identify with it.
4)What is your favorite go to snack?  Is it something you keep on hand?  I have sunflower seeds to nibble on.  Yes they are salty, but they are better for me than munching chips and such while I read.  I try to keep them on hand, especially if I'm reading a lot.
5)What is your favorite form of exercise or way to keep moving?  I like dancing and swimming.  I also like to walk.  Finding time, motivation and opportunity all at the same time is somewhat more challenging.

So answer the questions and join up with Mamarazzi, Crazymama and Queso.

Random musings

Random time again.  Comes around every week, but somehow it always surprises me.  So here goes the random.

• I like to cook, most days.  The guys like to eat.  Most days.  Except Bruiser, the original picky child.  Honestly the boy has been picky since he first tasted solid food and decided that nope, he didn't really want to eat that.  As far as food is concerned he eats what a typical toddler eats:  Chicken sticks, fish   sticks, corn dogs, cheese, goldfish, chips, cookies, the occasional biscuit or roll, and bits of meat from my plate.  On occasion he will eat peeled and sliced apples and raisins.  He won't touch milk (except on cereal), doesn't really like apple juice.  And he won't even taste most foods I cook.  I spend a lot of time coaxing him to eat dinner and telling him that there are no other options.  It usually doesn't work.  Amazingly the boy continues to grow.  It's a wonder that he does.
• The Allstate commercials with the Mayhem Guy are just a bit creepy.  OK, a lot creepy.  
• Nick's adventures in beer making are going well.  We should be bottling his third batch tomorrow.  It kind of fun and as soon as he gets the method down we can start experimenting a bit.
• Jackie Chan movies are getting a lot of air time around here.  Turbo just discovered them.
• What is it with all the 80s remakes?  Is it just that there are no new ideas out there? 
• Bruiser is sick today, so I get an unexpected day home.  Poor kid has thrown out (Yeah, Jen that caught on here too) three times.  He is doing a fabulous imitation of a lump on the couch.  A prime indicator that he does not feel good.
• Next weekend is Bruiser's birthday.  He turns three.  Where has the time gone?

Well that covers my Random ramblings for today.  Go see Stacy of Stacy Uncorked for more Random.

And don't forget the link up with no rules Talk To Us Tuesday over with Shawn and Impulsive Addict.

Happy List--Thinking Happy thoughts

So what's making me happy this week?  Well let's see:

1. Trips out of ton and having fun with my family.
2. Snow, which we have been getting a bit if.
3. Turbo wanting to spend time with us--he suggested a movie night on Friday nights.
4. Bruiser wanting to hear a story before he goes to bed.
5. Nick getting to go archery shooting again.
6. Girls Night Out, tomorrow night.
7. Having the main part of dinner in the crock pot and knowing the rest is easy.
8. Turbo enjoying his swimming lessons makes me happy.
9. When Bruiser uses the potty on his own (this does not happen with any regularity but it does happen).
10. A warm cup of tea in the morning makes me happy.

So there you have it.  What's making you happy?

Go see Mamarazzi for more Happy!

Fun and Interesting...

...at least to us.  The weekend I mean.  We had some great family moments.  Some lazy moments.  Some frustrating moments.  Some relaxing moments.
We started out with a quiet Friday night.  We watched movies at home and Turbo played some video games.  We were worn out after what was a surprisingly long week.
Saturday morning we loaded everyone up and headed down to Ft. Collins (about an hour away) to do a bit of shopping.  We started out with a surprise trip to the ultimate kid store, Toys R Us.  Both boys got to choose an item to take home and then we went to a brewing store for Nick.  He got a brewing set up (I think I may have created a monster with that first brewing kit I got him, but he loves making beer).  While he was shopping I took the boys for a walk in Old Town and let them play.

We went to lunch and then headed home.
The evening was fun, as Nick had to start up another batch of beer in the new kit he got
(like any kid with a new toy).  He had a friend over and they had fun getting everything set up.
I did something a bit out of character for me Saturday night.  I colored my hair.  It is currently a dark red.  See:

Yeah, a bit of a change up.  It's not permanent, it will wash out, but I'm still tossed as to whether I like it.  Nick likes it, though.
And then Sunday happened.  I didn't really do much of anything.  Oh, I did dishes, more than once.  For a day of not doing much, I did a lot of dishes.  I did make an awesome glazed ham though.  It's one I could do again.  An orange glaze.  It was oh so very good.
The frustrating part of the weekend was the potty front with Bruiser.  It's a slow frustrating project with him.  Still keeping my eye on the prize, but it's not easy.
So not an overly exciting weekend, but a comfortable one.  Getting out of town was good for all of us.  Like I've said before hitting the city limits sign really does a lot for our stress levels.
How was your weekend?  Good, bad, boring, too exciting?  Let me know if it was better than our weekend, then I can be jealous and have something to strive for next weekend.

Let's Confess

Wow, Friday finally.  Time to confess so we feel all pure going into the weekend.  Or something like that.
I confess:

• This week has been so long.  
• Oh, I know I didn't have to work Monday.
• But it still seems that the week went on a day or two too long.
• I am really looking forward to heading to Ft. Collins tomorrow.
• A little bit of shopping (for beer stuff for Nick, maybe hit the toy store for the boys, and for me--just getting the heck out of Dodge) is in order.
• I have been reading a whole lot more since I got my Kindle.
• The free selections are fun to peruse.
• The wake up call I got from Nick yesterday set the tone for the whole day.
• Thanks Nick.
• I am still the finder around our house.
• Guys can lose anything--at any age.
• Who always seems to know where things are, or can find them by actually looking?
• You guessed it, me.
• Oh, hey check out my side bar.
• Over to the right.
• Down a bit.  
• There.
• See that nomination for Fascinating Blogger?
• I was totally shocked to get nominated.
• Please go vote for me.
• I would like to get a vote or two at least.
• Now that the shameless plug is over...
• Thank God it's Friday!!!!

GO see Mamarazzi, she has other confessions to check out--make yourself feel good for the weekend and confess along with us.

Spin Cycle--Take a stand

This weeks Spin Cycle is taking a stand.  This one is hard for me because while I feel strongly aobut certain issues, I'm not one for really advocating for my position.  I'd have never been able to get involved in the protests of the 60s, at least not as a leader.
But there is one issue that I think I could really get behind.  I'm sure every one has heard about the Mommy Wars.  You know, the moms who get all self righteous about their way of parenting, the ones who get judgmental about how another mom is parenting?  Yeah, those moms.  I really think we should all agree to disagree about the "right " way to parent and realize there are just as many ways to parent as there are different kids out there.
I know just in my house, we have different strategies in dealing with the boys.  Overall the style is the same but we have to refine the approach for each boy due to age and temperament.  I've encountered other parents who I truly believe are doing a disservice to their children due to their parenting style, but that's their style and who am I to criticize?
But there are highly pushy people out there who believe that their way is the only way and if everyone would follow what they do everything would be just dandy.  And if you aren't doing things their way then you are a terrible person and they don't hesitate to say so.
Thing would be a whole lot easier if it were a one size fits all world, but it's not.  Why can't more people realize this?  It would stop a lot of the fights and arguments about who's a better parent.  It could stop the mommy wars all together.
So, I have my style and you have yours.  Let agree that the style we are using works for us and just not worry about the other person, OK?

This spin brought to you by the always stimulating Gretchen at Second Blooming.

Tagged by Jill--11 things

So Jill at Jill's World tagged me.  There are some rules.  Let's see how well I do with the rules.

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about "you are tagged if you are reading this."  Legitimately tag 11 people!!

OK so #1, done.

#2 eleven random things about myself:

• I have dexterous toes, I can pick up just about anything with them.  I haven't tried but I could probably write with them.
• I really like to play some of the silly games on Facebook.
• I like the color green.
• I like cats.
• I'm less than vigilant about antibacterial stuff.  I figure my immune system needs something to do.
• I don't do well with caffeine.  It seems to want my company in the middle of the night.
• I am an avid reader, but looking at the bookshelves in my home would confuse most people, I have eclectic interests.
• I hate potty training.  The end result is desirable but getting there, not so much. 
• I love living near the mountains, but love to visit the ocean.
• I am a small town girl at heart.  Just not too small.
• I like Scooby Doo almost as much as my boys do.

#3:

1. What is your one promise to yourself, or resolution for 2012?  I just posted these but the main one would be to do something for myself--healthwise, but also for my mind and soul.
2. If you could be anybody in the world – celebrity, rock star, author, ANYONE – who would you be?  This one is tough, since I don't do the limelight very well, I think I'd have to go with an author, maybe Nora Roberts?
3. What is your favorite recipe to make?  (Please share how to make it, or link it up if it’s somewhere on the Internet!)  My favorite recipe to make is Sausage and Peppers with noodles.  Boil water and cook spaghetti noodles(enough for the number you are serving).  Meanwhile, take one package of Italian Sausage and remove the casings and break up and brown in a sauce pan.  Chop green, red, orange or yellow peppers (we use mostly green, they're cheaper) into bite sized pieces.  When sausage is evenly cooked, drain excess fat and add the peppers.  Cook until peppers reach desired doneness (we like them crisp tender, but you can cook them more if that's what you like).  Drain noodles and add to sauce pan and serve mixture of noodles, sausage and peppers.  An easy tasty dinner, and it reheats well too.
4. Do you have a sport that you love to watch?  If so, what is it and what’s your favorite team?  We are not much for sports in our house.  We watch the Superbowl and root for who ever we like better.  We do like to watch the Olympics, but really not big sports fans here.
5. If you could have the ability to expertly play any instrument in the world, what would you choose to play?  The saxophone.
6. Why did you start blogging?  To meet other people.  I like to write and finding other people with interests that are similar to mine is difficult in my home town.  I started blogging as an outlet and have met some fabulous people.
7. If you knew you could only have one last meal, what would you choose to eat?  Your last supper, so to speak?  Surf and turf--Lobster and rib eye steak. With an artichoke and a fluffy baked potato.  And cheesecake for dessert.
8. Who is your hero, and why?  I'm not sure I have a specific hero.  In general I feel anyone who has served our country in the armed forces is a hero.
9. If you could bring back any old TV show that no longer airs, which one would you bring back?  I'd have to say M*A*S*H.  I love the show growing up and love the DVDs I have now.
10. You’re a superhero.  What’s your power?  To be in two places at once.
11. Team Edward, Team Jacob, or screw that silly vampire crap?  I have to go with option three, sort of.  I like reading about vampires, but I like my vampires all grown up.

Now for #4:

1. Do you have a nickname?
2. What is something you've always wanted to do, but never mustered up the courage to try?
3. What did you want to be when you grew up?  Did you go through with it?
4. Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimited spa services?
5. Do you collect anything?
6. How did you name your blog?
7. What is the best compliment you have ever received?
8. What was your "Oh no, I'm turning into my mom/dad" moment?
9. What is your quirkiest habit?
10. Favorite 80s movie?
11. Name one thing you are proud you have accomplished.

Now for #5 and #6:

Mamarazzi at *Dandelion Wishes*

Gretchen at Second Blooming

Impulsive Addict at Confessions of and Impulsive Addict

Shawn at Seriously Shawn

Becca at Everyday Life

Allstarme at Incognitus Scriptor

Beth at Living a Goddess Life

Myya at Myya says...

Brandy at You Don't Know...

Date Girl at Date Girl Diaries

Mimi at Living in France.

WWTK--Feeling Good!

Questions this week come from Queso:

1. Which of the following phrases characterizes how you live your life?
1. You only live once
2. Test the water before jumping in
3. Stability is the key to life

I think I’d have to go with b.  I have no problem jumping in, but I want to know something about the landing pad.

2. What were you doing the last time you had a really good laugh?  Watching Bruiser watch the silly zip line pig and go Wheee with it.
3. Who is the last person you hugged?  Bruiser.  Being two and potty training is tough.  He needs mommy fixes every so often.  He cuddles well too.
4. What song always makes you happy when you hear it?  I have so many songs that make me happy.  But for pure fun and silliness, I love They Might be Giants album Flood.  The songs all just sort of run together and it reminds me of when I first met Nick.  Good silly fun.
5. What's the first thing you thought about this morning?  The fact that Turbo needs to fill out a food diary for school and we have yet to start it and it's due tomorrow.  Ack, now I have anxiety about my son's homework.  Fantastic!

Go see Mamarazzi, Crazymama and Queso for more We Want To Know.

Happy, Happy!

Happy list time with Mamarazzi.  I think it really helps to remind myself of the things that make me happy, especially when the week starts to get me down.

1. It makes me happy when Bruiser comes up to me for a hug.
2. Snuggling with Turbo makes me happy--it doesn't happen very often any more.
3. Having a warm fire on a cold evening makes me happy.
4. New bedding makes me happy. (Even if the reason for the new bedding is a puking cat).
5. The new laptop we have makes me happy.
6. The new router we have makes me happy in that it works!
7. Getting out of town makes me happy--weather permitting.
8. A snuggly blanket and a good book make me happy

So there you have it.  What's making me happy this week.  Go see Mamarazzi for more happy lists.

Tuesday Can Be So Random

Hi!  Did everyone enjoy their weekend?  We got a three day weekend here.  And we did next to nothing with it.  Well, I did laundry.  Nick helped a friend with a project and then thought about various projects he could do here at home.  He brewed more beer.  However, Sunday, not a thing constructive was done.  It was kind of wonderful.  Yesterday I finished (mostly) the laundry and didn't do a whole lot else.  Oh, I had a minor fling with the vacuum, and did dishes, but nothing exciting.
And now on to the Random:

• Potty training continues here.  Bruiser is sort of getting it, but still doesn't quite understand that he needs to go in the potty and not his pants.  The kids does great if he's bare bottomed, but pants mess the whole thing up.  We are plodding forward but it's slow going.
• Turbo got to spend some time with a friend this weekend.  It's so cool to see him have a good friend to hang out with.  School is moving forward and he seems to be doing all right.
• It's hard to believe that January is half over.  After the blur of the holidays, you'd think things would slow down some.
• Bruiser likes the Geico commercial with the pig on the zip line.  He says "Weeeeeeeee" along with the pig.  It's cute.
• We finally have a family picture up on the wall.  It's one that was taken when we were at Rocky Mountain National Park this summer.  Since we have yet to get all four of us to a photo studio, this picture at least has all of us together and smiling.  Some day we will all get to a professional studio and get a picture taken, but since that requires planning and a  trip out of town (for a wallet friendly option) it will be a while.
• We have snow here.  Not a lot but, hey, it's white outside.  I'll take it.

So that covers us for this week.  Go random it up with Stacy.

And go see the lovely ladies of Talk To Us Tuesday--Shawn and Impulsive.  They like to talk about anything.

Confess is Good For You

Time to confess everything (or almost everything).

• Sleep this last week has been a fleeting thing.
• I keep waking up in the middle of the night and not really getting back to sleep.
• I'm hoping for a nap this weekend.
• Hurrah for a three day weekend.
• The laundry is getting all flirty again.
• I can see through it's game.
• It's just a tease.
• Sigh, I think I am going to have to pay it some attention.
• If I don't it pouts and starts to multiply in the dark.
• I don't need the laundry attacking in the night.
• I hate potty training.
• I really want it to snow.
• Lots and lots of snow.
• I exercised four times this week.
• It is getting easier to do.
• Not more fun, just easier to do.

Well what do you have to confess?

Go see Mamarazzi and confess away.

Spin Cycle--Dreams

The spin cycle has changed addresses.   It's gone Hollywood and is now hosted by Gretchen of Second Blooming.  The first topic she chose was dreams.  Now, with the Spin Cycle, you take the topic given and give it your own spin.  I did a Spin Cycle post on a dream date, but not one about dreams.
Dreams.  This can go lots of directions.  I could tell you about my dreams--the ones I have at night or the ones I have for my life or the ones I have for my boys--or I could go with daydreams or how dreams shape your life.  That's the fun of the spin cycle.  I think I just free formed myself into a post.  I like the idea of dreams shaping who you are.
When you're little you have lots of dreams and ambitions for when you grow up.  The question of who or what do you want to be when you grow up is asked over and over.  Doctor, fireman, astronaut, actor, singer, teacher, scientist.  You can be who or what you want.  Then you get to college and you're asked the question again, only in the form of what is your major?  Of course, this is asked with the expectation that what you major in will be the job you get when you are done with school.  This works well for the kids who have a clear idea or a strong dream they are following.  Not so well for those of us who really don't know which direction we want to go.
I was part of the latter group.  My dreams changed constantly and none of them ever sank it's hooks into me deep enough to stick.  I really didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Maybe that's why I had to go to school twice to find something I could make into a career.  And even now I really don't have big dreams.
I would have the hardest time making a bucket list.  To make a really good bucket list you have to have at least interesting dreams.  The biggest dream I have is the ambition to visit every national park west of the Mississippi before Nick and I can no longer travel.  I think I would also like to visit every State at least once.  Small dreams but dreams none the less.  I'd also like to meet some of the great friends I've made blogging.  Now that would be an interesting trip.  I could hit a lot of the US in the process.
So what are your dreams?  Were they small dreams or big dreams?  Did they take you interesting places, or not far at all?

Pimp Your Cube

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Contest Factory for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Who has to work in an office day in and day out?  I know I do.  At least I have an office.  Some are consigned to cubes.  And you know what?  Cubes are not known for their wonderful aesthetics.  I've even seen some pretty lousy offices too.
So what could be better than a way to pimp out your cube/office/workspace?  Pimp My cube is holding a Pimp My Cube Contest to help make that office/cube/workspace the best thing ever, you know, for work.
 All you have to do is make a ]video of your lousy office, cube, or workspace and upload it to the Pimp My Cube Contest and then have all your family and friends go vote for your video to win.  Easy right?
Now what can you win?  Glad you asked.  There are three prizes to choose from worth about $1200:

• A new high end computer system
• New desk, chair and decorations
• New entertainment package with high end stereo, espresso machine etc.

So far there are very few uploads for this contest so chances of winning are pretty good.  Oh and there is a second prize of a $200 gift card chosen at random.
So go make a fun, witty, or goofy video showing why you need a pimped cube, office, or work space and maybe you'll win.  Good luck!
And as an example of the kind of video they are looking for here you go:

Now go forth and record how bad your workspace is and see if you can win!

WWTK--Random stuff

Time to answer the questions.  Crazymama is asking this week:

1. What is your most commonly used word or phrase when you are frustrated?  I use several, it depends on who's listening.  Around the boys I censor myself but I have been know to use Fewmets (dragon dropping).  I can also curse with the best of them.  Nothing feels as good as a good curse when you stub your toe or bang an elbow.
2. What random question do you usually get from strangers or casual acquaintances?  Are you done having kids?  Are you going to try for a girl?  Nope, nope, and nope.  Two and through for us.
3. Did you ever correspond by mail with anyone?  Do you still have the letters?  When I was in the third grade my teacher went to Hawaii for Christmas or spring break and sat next to a third grade teacher from Australia.  They arranged for their classes to do a pen pal project.  I corresponded with my pen pal until I was about 20.  And yes, I still have some of the letters.
4. Do you dance in public?  Why or why not?  When I get the chance.  I like dancing.  However I rarely get the chance anymore.
5. What is your favorite kind of lip balm?  Carmex.

And that covers the questions for this week.  Quite the random bunch.  Go answer for yourself and link up.
Mamarazzi, Crazymama and Queso host this little party.  Check them out.

Happy List--Boys, Boys, Boys

Time to remind myself that I do have things to be happy about.

1. Seeing Nick so thrilled about his first batch of beer.
2. Seeing Bruiser actually use the potty.
3. Having Turbo have a good friend to hang out with.
4. Playing video games makes me happy.
5. Dancing with my boys makes me happy.
6. Snow makes me happy--especially when we have it on the ground when we are supposed to.
7. A clean house makes me happy.  I'm even finding a certain satisfaction in doing the dishes at night.
8. Comfy and stylish boots make me happy.
9. Going to a concert makes me happy--the university I work at is having a concert tomorrow and I'm going.  It's girls night out.
10. Reading makes me happy.

Go see Mamarazzi for more Happy Lists.

Random Tuesday--Adventures in Potty Training and Other Fun Stuff

So it's Tuesday.  You'd think it was on a schedule the way it shows up after Monday every week.  But Tuesday means it's time to be random and call it a post.  Since my mind is mostly thinking in random right now, this works for me.

• We tried Nick first batch of beer last night.  It's not bad.  Gave me a bit of a buzz (I'm such a light weight--hey, cheap date!)
• Potty training is slow going.  Bare butted, the kid does OK, but he can wear no pants.  I'm not even considering night training.  Eye on the prize, eye on the prize.  It has become my mantra.
• Bruiser has discovered his special purpose and never lets it go now that he has easy access to it.
• We have learned he has signals.  "Leave me alone!" means he really needs to go sit on the potty, no matter how much he protests. 

• To make things easier on all of us his potty is sitting in the living room.
• I tell you, potty training is a rocking good time.  You want to be us right now don't you?  Don't answer that.
• Nick needs to put away his clothes.  See we got new bedroom furniture last summer.  He organized his clothes the way he wanted them, but I was not sure how he had his t shirts organized, so he said he would put away his clothes when I did laundry.  I was skeptical, but went with it.  He did good at putting them away for a few months, but has slacked in the last few weeks.  Currently, he has t shirts from before Christmas waiting to be put away.  Oh and shirts from the laundry I did at New Years.  Yeah, he's on top of it. 
• I have been exercising.  It's just an ab workout that was in Redbook and some basic exercises for the exercise ball, but it's something.

Captain Goofy

• Turbo is trucking along.  Kind of like a normal kid.  A goofy kid, but mostly normal.
• Man, I am boring this week.  Potty training and household chores.  Doesn't get much more exciting than that.

So go link your random up with Stacy--she's got the random Tuesday thing happening.

And link up with Shawn and Impulsive, the lovely hosts of Talk To Us Tuesday.  There's no rules so link away.

Blah, Just Blah

This last weekend we really did a lot of nothing.  I couldn't motivate myself to do much more than the bare minimum.  Nick was productive, but I really wasn't.
Nick finished building doors for the gun cabinet he is building.  He finished out an area in the kitchen so it looks much nicer.  He also did some finish work in the basement family room so it looks much better now.  He also started thinking about painting.  He really is home improvement minded, since he loathes painting.  He also got some game time in and is anxiously awaiting Tuesday when he can try his first batch of homemade beer.
I, on the other hand, did far less.  I got the grocery shopping done, and won the grocery game this week, in that I stayed well within the budget.  I spent the rest of the weekend coaxing Bruiser to use the potty.  Fun times people, fun times.
Turbo had a fun weekend.  He got to have a sleep over with a good friend on Saturday night.  He had a blast.  Sunday the friend came over for a bit and they rode their bikes some and then played some video games.  All around a good weekend.
Bruiser had a fairly quiet weekend.  As long as he's bare from the waist down he is having more successes in the potty then misses.  Put pants on the kid and all bets are off.  He does not seem to care if he wears wet pants or not.  And we have him in regular training pants, so he can feel when he wets.  He will eventually get it right?  The process is agonizing for all involved though.
Oh and to top it all off, there is no snow outside, it's just cold.  Grey, brown and cold.  Definitely blah weather.
So how was your weekend?  Better than ours (although that's not hard to do)?  I sure hope so.

Where I wish we could have spent the weekend.

Confessions

Time to confess with Mamarazzi.  She's back and ready to listen.
Here's mine:

• I'm kind of really glad that the holidays are over.
• I love the holidays, but they are a lot of work.
• I hate potty training.
• Bruiser is starting to get it, but he's so conditioned to going in a diaper that the minute he has unders on he pees.
• The kid is spending a lot of time bare.
• Sigh, we keep working on it.
• I really want it to snow.
• Since Nick decided to go meatless this week, we all went meatless--for dinner at least.
• I have had visions and craving for a thick, juicy, perfectly grilled steak since Tuesday.
• Really any read meat is sounding good right now.
• I have exercised twice this week and intend to dance with Just Dance 3 this weekend.
• Look at me trying to get all healthy.
• Just trying to keep a promise.

Well that's got my confessions for the week.  Nothing really exciting, but then life is on the boring side right now.  

Go see Mamarazzi, she should have more interesting confessions linked up.

Promises, Promises

Last year I decided to change things up a bit.  I did not make resolutions.  I never kept them anyway, so why continue to do something that wasn't working anyway?  I thought about it and making promises seemed a better way to go.
When I looked back at the promises I made to myself last year, I managed to keep most of them.  So, since this seems to be working, I'm going to make some new promises to myself.

• I need to continue to work on meal planning for my family.  When we have a meal plan in place things just run more smoothly.
• I want to scrapbook.  This is one promise that I did not keep last year.  This year I am determined to find the time and motivation (at the same time) to tackle the scrapbooks.
• I want to get to Denver with the boys to see the aquarium and zoo.  
• I will continue to read, new books, old books, Kindle books, anything that gives me that escape, if only for a few minutes.
• I will make time to do something for my body--ball exercises, ab work, walking--something physical that is good for me.

There, I think those are generally specific enough that I will keep them.  

Did you make resolutions?  Have you kept them or have you already broken them?   If not, good luck, if you have give promises a shot.  They are way easier to keep.

WWTK--Dream Homes and Blogging

Here are my answers for this week:

1. What do you love about blogging?  The lovely people that I have met.  I hope to be able to meet some in the real world but I feel I know so many more people now.  Since I have troubles with friend making in my college town--people change over about every four to five years--blogging has helped me make friends, have an outlet that's not just my husband, and side step all the awkward face to face stuff.
2. What is your favorite scent of candle/air freshener?  It changes with the seasons.  In the winter I love the scent of cinnamon or apples.  In the summer I love the smell of fresh fruit or flowers.  Because most air fresheners are too strong to begin with and then to weak to end with, we stick to candles.  Yankee candles mostly.  They smell good, the scent carries, and we can use them when we need them.
3. How would you describe your style?  Casual mom.  Both in my wardrobe and in my home.
4. What are 3 things your dream home would have that your current home doesn't have?  A larger back yard.  A better set up kitchen and dining room.  An attached two car garage.
5. Do you look at your keyboard when you type?  Most definitely.  Not even spell check can help if I don't.

Go join the lovely ladies hosting this shindig and join in.  Mamarazzi, who asked the questions this week, Queso and Crazymama.

Happy List

Time for a happy list, not that I really need reminding about why I am happy right now.

1. My kindle.  I love the ease of reading on it.
2. My hubby, who takes such good care of me and puts lights up in my laundry room.
3. Knowing that eventually Bruiser will be potty trained.  The getting there will not be fun, but the results are what I'm keeping in mind.
4. Seeing my guys all having fun goofing off together.
5. Going home time.  I love the end of a work day when I can go home.

Go see Mamarazzi for more happy lists.

Tuesday? Really?

Time to get all random.  That is what we normally do for Tuesdays.  So here we go:

• We are starting to potty train.  It's slow going.  Bruiser really has no interest in the whole process.  He would be content to wear diapers forever.  I, however, would like to way less involved in his bathroom habits.  Wish us luck.  
• Rube Goldberg machines are fun, but frustrating to create.  How do I know?  Because the guys spent all day yesterday working on one.  The individual elements will work but trying to put it all together complicates things.  When or if they get it to work, I will post a video.
• I love my new Kindle.  Santa was very good and worked hard to surprise me.
• Turbo has let us know that he knows who Santa is, but he was very quiet about it, and I told him as long as he believes in Santa, Santa will continue to bring him presents.  We want to keep the magic alive for Bruiser as long as we can.
• I'm sort of ready to go back to real life.  The break was wonderful.  Real life is somewhat more dull.  But I think the routine will do me good.  
• Nick is trying to work on his diet.  He has given up meat for a week.  So we are eating meatless meals for the next week.  Well dinners are meatless, lunches for the rest of us aren't.

That sort of covers my random for this week.  Joining up with Stacy for Random Tuesday Thoughts. 

And with Shawn and Impulsive for Talk to Us Tuesday.

Coming out of the Holiday funk

OK, so the holidays happened.  And happened, and happened.  We did lots of stuff, but never really left the house.  It all seems strangely dream like looking back on it.
It all started with the flu--the 24 hour kind that I had twice.  And then generously gave to Nick for Christmas.  Thankfully the boys avoided catching it.  Sniffly noses abounded, but nothing worse for the boys.  Santa was good to everyone.  It was a very technological Christmas all the way around.  Xboxes, Kindles, and games all around.  Bruiser got some sports stuff and a driving need to go play.  Unfortunately it has been way to windy and cold to go outside most of break.
Nick and I got some great breaks from the boys over this break.  They spent two nights with my mom, which gave Nick and I a whole day alone.  We sort of didn't know what to do with ourselves.  We did figure it out after a while ;)
We got a nice offer from the grandparents for New Year's Eve.  They had both boys over for a sleepover.  We pushed our seafood feast back to New Year's day and enjoyed a kid free New Year's Eve.  We didn't go out, but had a fun time in and we stayed up until midnight, our time.  That is something we don't usually do.  I have to admit I missed the boys.
Nick has his first batch of beer almost ready to bottle.  I got him a brewing kit for Christmas.  He is saving bottles he can cap and looking forward to experimenting.
Nick also spent today doing science stuff with Turbo.  They made a batch of crystals, have worked on a Rube Goldberg contraption, and are making glow in the dark Mountain Dew.  Yes we are geeky like that.
We have had really strong winds, little snow and cold temps here.  I really want more snow.  Somehow winter is easier to deal with when it's white outside.  Gray and brown just depress me.  We have way to much gray and brown right now.
So I am almost ready to go back to the normal grind.  Almost.