Spin Cycle--And I can't live without it

Ok so Jen at Sprite's Keeper gave the Spin Cycle topic this week as that one thing that makes your life easier and that you just couldn't live without. 

This one was tough for me.  I have lots of things that I like using but not one really necessary thing.  So I did some thinking and a few gadgets that I make use of frequently to make things easier on myself are my crock pot, stand mixer and bread machine. 

I know, I know, not real high tech or anything but the crock pot makes dinner a breeze.  Just dump your ingredients in and turn it on and 8 hours later dinner is done, just serve it up.  I will admit, I have three.  A small one for dips and melting chocolate to dip things at Christmas, a medium one that I make soup in, cook chicken and pork in to shred for tacos and tostadas and such, and a large one for whole chickens, roasts and stuff like that.

I use the crock pot at least once a week, sometimes more.  It's nice to come home and smell dinner and know I don't have to cook, it's already done.

I also couldn't do without my stand mixer.  It's a Kitchen Aide.  Makes cookie making so easy.  I need to explore more uses for it but what I have made so far has been yummy. 

I also use my bread machine to make bread and dough.  The dough we use for pizzas and calzones.  We like bread that has lots of flavor so we like to experiment with the bread machine.  It's way cheaper than the artisan breads at the store and tastes better too.

Those are the gadgets that make my dinner making easier.  (Cookie making too.)  However thinking about it I could do without them if I really had to.  But I could not do without my husband.  Nick is my best friend and the love of my life.  He supports me and cheers me on in anything I do.  I didn't tell him I had started blogging right away, afraid he would think it was corny, but when I did tell him he thought it was cool.  He has even bragged to friends about my blog.  I should have given him more credit.  He always has my back.

The Skew--On the Olympics

The Third edition of the SkEW.

The Olympics

Does anyone really even give a "skate" anymore?

I must admit, the Olympics are a hot topic in our house.  We enjoyed watching the Summer games two years ago but these winter ganmes are more entertaining to us.  Nick and I had been together almost a year when the 94 games were on.  Those were the first winter games I remember watching.  We have watched them ever since.  I like watching the skiing and snowboarding and skating-both figure and speed. 

Turbo made it through most of the Opening Ceremonies, but fell asleep before the torch lighting.  Turbo always wants to know who to root for, since there is no uniformity in the uniforms worn by Americans.  He likes to watch the skiiers going fast down the hill and ask when he can do that.  We tell him when he learns to crosscountry ski better.

It's kind of nice not to wonder what we will watch because we just watch the Olympics.  However, I'm not too fond of some of the commentary.  There are times when I wish they would just shut up and let me watch what's going on.  At times I think they are just rambling the fill the air time.  They don't really say anything constructive half the time.  THere are times when the fluff pieces are ridiculous.  But we will keep watching and admiring those athletes who are doing their best and entertaining us at the same time.

Dear Someone...

Dear Scrapbooks
Hoping to see you soon.  Maybe we can have a date this weekend.  I am so far behind.  Getting caught up is not going to happen but getting something done might.  I won't make a promise cause, you know, life tends to get in the way, but I'm going to try to see you this weekend.
Slacking Scrapper


Dear Turbo
I think you might have figured out this school thing.  Good for you.  Now all you have to do is figure out the reading thing.  Work hard at it and keep up the good work on the behavior thing.
Proud Mommy


Dear Bruiser
I know you want to do what Turbo does but walls and such are hard and unyeilding.  They cause bumps when your head meets them at high speeds.  Just saying.  And using your teeth to help in climbing back up on the couch is inventive but I'm not sure the couch arm can take to much of it.  We might need to come up with another activity for you to do.
Nervous Mommy

Dear Backsteps,
You didn't have to be so slick this morning.  My butt did not need to meet you up close and personal.  I know you had that nice fresh layer of new snow but really.  I know you were laughing at the slide and crash I had.  You will be fixed this summer.  I'm siccing my husband on you.  Ask the inside stairs what happened when I fell down them.  You are so history.
The Injured Party.

What I Meant to Say

Chief at (Hiding From the Kids) is hosting What I Meant to Say Wednesday again.  GRab the button and let everyone know what you really meant to say.

What I said:  To Bruiser: Oh poor baby, let Mommy hold you until you get to sleep.
What I meant to say:  Bruiser--Mommy is not a mattress, you need to sleep on your own.  Come on kid, sleep already.

What I said:  To Turbo:  Sit still!
What I meant to say:  Stop the freaking fidgiting!  You are driving me nuts.  Put your but down on the seat and don't move it, you understand english or am I speaking swahili to you?

What I said: to Piper(our cat): leave the dog alone.  I'll pet you.
What I meant to say:  Geez cat, desperate or what?  Macking on the dog will get you nowhere.  He's really not your type. 

What I said:  To Mother Nature:  Snow tomorrow?  Bring it on!
What I meant to say:  Dump on us, please!  Don't be a tease, just let us hae some snow already.  Stop playing favorites with the eastern US and give us some snow already.

Post-it note time

It's Post-it Note Tuesday with SupahMommy.  Grab the button above and play along.

Random on Tuesday--Couch Diving and Other Sports

Keely at The Un Mom is randoming up some Tuesday thoughts.  Head on over for more random thoughts. 

In honor of the Olympics I wanted to share some of the sports that happen around our house on a daily basis.  Bruiser is a champion Couch Diver.  We have an area at the end of the couch where there is space to pile the extra pillows and blankets we use when sleeping on the couch.  When they are piled, they make a great landing place for a head first dive over the arm of the couch.  Bruiser loves to do this.  If the stuff is piled up well enough he can climb back up for another go.  If not, he yells for help and then goes again.

Turbo excells at Drive Mommy Up the Wall with only one sound.  He can find that one sound that will make you crazed adn then repeats it over and over.  This results is screams from Mommy.  He always manages to pull off the surprised look when that happens.

Drunken Sailor is another popular sport at our house.  No, we don't drink to excess.  Bruiser looks like a drunken sailor when he staggers and reels from one piece of furniture to another.  He does not fall as often now but he really looks like he tied one on and is just barely staying upright.

A sport that Nick and I compete in courtesy of the kids is toys dodging.  The boys scatter their toys in the walking path and then it is up to us to aviod them or maim our feet.  Man, legos hurt to step on.  And Hot Wheels cars can be deadly (they move and hurt). 

Anyhoot, have a great Tuesday and random it up.

Quotable MEme Monday

All about MEme Monday with Mommybrain and SupahMommy.  This week is favorite quotes and why.

One of my favorite quotes is:
The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead. ~Robert Brault
I try to be optimistic.  It's so much easier to be pessimistic about everything.  I have to remind my self that things aren't really that bad.  This quote makes me remember that optimisim is out there and it gives me a smile at the same time which helps with the whole pessimism thing.


Another that Nick and I try to keep in mind:
Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans!
Nick and I live by this quote (line from a song? whatever).  Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day stuff we forget to enjoy the life we are living.  We have to step back and take a moment to see the life we have even if it is not exactly the plan we made.
 

Spin Cycle--Happy Valentine's Day

Jen at Sprite's Keeper is spinning up some Valentine's fun this week.  Love is in the air and all that jazz.

For my spin I thought I'd tell about Turbo's first ever Valentine to another girl.  He was three and spending the day with his grandpa.  Turbo often baked with Papa and that day was no different.  What was different was when Papa brought Turbo home with a heart shaped cake and Turbo informed me it was for his friend M.  She was a little girl who was about two years older than Turbo but that he really enjoyed playing with.  We were friends with her parents and got together every so often.

I was a bit surprised (OK shocked was more like it).  We now had to take the cake to M.  And this was not your traditional cake.  It was heart shaped but with green frosting and mulitcolored sprinkles.  Turbo was very proud of it and quite excited to take it to M.  Nick got home from work and called to make arrangements to deliver Turbo's first ever Valentine.

M's parents were I think as shocked and surprised as we were.  We explained that Turbo and his grandpa had come up with this all on their own.  M smiled nice for the pictures and we all had cake.  Interesting way to spend Valentine's Day, that's for sure.

If this is the age Turbo starts on this kind of thing, I'm in serious trouble. Or at least the girls in his class are in for it.  It was cute but I'll be happy to wait until he's much older before anyone else is his Valentine but me.

Happy Vaelntine's Day to everyone.  Get a little romantic with your significvant other and enjoy a day that, while kind of contrived, is a great excuse to be sappy.

The Skew--On Romance

THe ladies listed above on the button are hosting the most disFUNctional round table discussion every week.  In honor of Valentine's Day the topic this week is Romance. 

Romance means something different to everyone.  Heck, when I was 20 romance meant something totally different than it does now.

Nick is not the same romantic he was when we were 20 either. 


Then, flowers and chocolates were all that was needed for Valentine's day and the anniversary.  Now, I want something a bit more lasting(even if it's appliances--If I ask for it then I want it). 

Then, a dinner and a movie was a great way to spend the evening.  Now, if he cooks and does the dishes and we watch a DVD at home, that's romantic.

Then, hanging out with friends was cool.  Now, hanging out with our kids is cool. (We joke about being boring but it works for us.)

Romance happens in the small things now.  We have been through sickness(kidney stones that resulted in an eight day hospital stay for me.  He was right there by my side for the whole ordeal).  We have been through lack of wealth.  We have been through the birth of two fabulous boys.  We are a team and know we can get through anything together.

After seventeen years together (only eleven of them legal), I can honestly say that I am married to my best friend and the love of my life.  The fireworks of new love are not there any more but the romance is still in full force (with the occasional firecracker for good measure).

Dear Someone...

Shortmama at Family of Shorts hosts Letters to someone.  You can be nice, snarky, or just vent if that's what you need.  Just link up with her to let those who need to know, how you feel.

Dear Nick,
Love you lots.  Thanks for being on my side.  I'm sorry the sinus bug has come to visit you.  Hope you feel better soon.
Your loving wifey

Dear Turbo-
Way to go at school!  We knew you could act like a decent kid.  You may have lost the swimming privilege but getting your work done and showing you can do it is great.  You get that date with Boomerang tonight, so keep up the good work.
Proud Mommy

Dear Bruiser,
I know you can sleep.  However, you need to do it every night.  I know that is asking for a lot but really, sleeping every night is necessary so Mommy doesn't go off the deep end.  Let's work on this one. 
Love you,
Very Tired Mommy

Dear Neighbor Lady,
After the dog thing, calling and crying about your life, husband and stuff to Nick was very not cool.  We don't need to get involved in your drama (or Divorce).  Let's just back off for a while and see how things work out for you.  We have enough crazy in the family, we don't need it from our friends.
Hope you work things out soon.
The Retreating Neighbors.