Would your kids hire you?

I had a job interview this morning, one that I hope that I am the obvious candidate for. But, as I was preparing to leave, perusing my resume and getting myself in the mind set of I am perfect in every way and why shouldn't you hire me, Drama Queen asked me what I was doing. I explained all that you go through to get a job, what a resume was and why we go interview. She looked at me for a while and asked if she could interview me. Thinking that this would be fun, I agreed.

1. Are you a good cook?

I am not good at many things but in cooking I think I can hold my own. I do on occasion burn things and after I make something once I rarely need the recipe again and I always approximate amounts which makes Grandma crazy.

She nods and smiles so I think that I answered correctly, next.....

2. Do you enjoy spending time with your kids?

I love spending time with my kids and since you are my first I love that we have had 4 years of memories where it was just you and me.

Again I get the nod so I think that I am still in the running for the job as parent.

Last question......

3. What makes you think that you are a good parent?

What?! Is that a question that I really need to answer, I mean I have been doing this for ten years and I think that maybe I have figured out a few things in that time. But she did ask.....so I take a breath and tell her the truth.

When I was single, I really did not want to get married and I never thought that I would be a mother. But then I met your dad and after we got married I wanted nothing more then to have a baby. So we had you and I was so scared that I was going to ruin you that I cried all the time. Then you were born and from that first moment that I held you I fell in love. I knew that no matter how bad I was at being a mom, that I wanted to try because I loved you. It has not always been easy and we still have moments where we both think that I have no idea what I am doing, but I still love you and want to try.

With that she smiled and told me that I was gonna do great at my interview.

And with the knowledge that I had aced the really hard interview I drove off to nail the next one. If I get the job great, but knowing that in my daughters mind, I am the right choice for her mom was really the best news that I got all day!

So, do you think that your kids would hire you?

What to do today?

Do you ever wake up and think "what am I going to do with the kids today", and come up empty? That was the dilemma that I was faced with today and then the phone rang. It was my dear friend wanting to play with me for the day. What a wonderful surprise!!!

Buddies that do not get to see each other enough.

Yep this is the beginning of all the toys coming out of the

closet to get played with, but it's all good.

"Drama Queen" was less then thrilled with the whole day, not exactly what she wanted to do, (remember that we are dealing with a tween here and she had other plans).

As a finale to the day, no one is immune from the wet sand box play. So after swimming and getting wet, if you visit you have to get dry clothes on and then get wet again in the sand box.

It was such a fun day and I am so glad that my crazy fun friend, whom I did not get a picture with, drove all that way to spend her day with us!!!

Traffic and why I am home alone

It is 11:30 pm and I am home alone. Why am I telling you this.......because "the man" has tried to get home, but he cannot. This is what is stopping him from getting home. The only freeway route to our home was blocked today by this monstrosity during coming home, end of the work day traffic and they are still getting things cleaned up.

What a mess!!!!

Try-It-Tuesday

It is time again for the Try-It-Tuesday recipe.

Today is "The Man's" personal favorite - Stroganoff.

It is so easy and so yummy and anything over noodles my kids love.

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Stroganoff

The fixing's:

1LB ground beef, browned and drained

1 pkg fresh mushrooms sliced (can omit if you do not like fungus)

1/2 cup chopped green onions (the kids hate onions, so I finely dice some and brown them with the meat to hide it)

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 1/2 cans of water

1 1/2 tsp Beef Bouillon

1 pint sour cream

1 pkg Wide Egg Noodles

Brown the meat with the onion if chopped up fine, if using the green onion will add later.

Add the soup, water, seasoning and bring to a boil , then simmer till half of the water is gone, almost a gravy consistency. Bring water to a boil for the noodles and get then cooking.

When the noodles are aldente and not quite done, add the sour cream. Heat must be on lowest setting, we just want to bring the sour cream to temperature not heat it too high or it tastes and looks awful. This is when you can add the green onions, again this is optional.

Stir meat mixture to ensure that sour cream is completely incorporated, drain noodles and serve separately or mixed together. My family likes it apart so they can control the sauce amount.

Served with green beans, fresh fruit and french bread and you have a really wholesome, easy dinner.

For more great Try-It-Tuesday recipes click here and go to the comments.

Monday Sadness

I have missed alot.

After my all nighter, I realized that I needed to take a break, re-acquaint myself with the family and spend some time in natural light. This is what I missed, I suddenly received comments from people that found me here under the "Saucy Blog" section. What an honor that someone like me could make it to the big leagues, and I missed it. But thanks for visiting my fellow SITS sisters.

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Today, I have the day off from being a mom.

I love being a mom, it is something that I knew I would struggle with, (I am not the nurturing type and my pregnancies were something out of the movie ALIEN). But from that first moment I saw my kids, I vowed that I would do anything for them. And as Grandma says, I do!!!

But thankfully I also get a day to remember what it feels like to keep a thought in my head, to only have to make one breakfast and what it feels like to wake up on my own and not with a face in mine asking if I am awake yet?

It is heavenly but it is also sad too.

What do I do with myself, my time and above all it is so quiet. No yelling, no lists of chores to be done, no deep sighs from me, just me and the chiming clock on the wall. I find myself talking to the computer screen, the laundry, the air and I wonder am I going insane or have I lost the ability to be alone? I also ponder what it will be like in 4 weeks when my little ones' head out the door for another year of learning? This is the first year that both will be gone all day and with that knowledge I am a little sad. I have dreamt of this day for so long and now that it is on the horizon I am sad. It is such a turning point where you are not the center of your children's lives, that they do not need you all the time anymore, that they are growing up. That realization is a hard one to take..........and so on this sunny Monday, there is a small cloud over my world. Ten years has gone so fast, but I knew that this would come and yet I guess deep down I wished that it wouldn't. Where has all the time gone.........?

I need help!

Yes there are two posts today. If you want the warm and fuzzy one, just scroll past all this nonsense and get to it, BUT if you want the cold hard truth......read on.
I am addicted. I cannot control myself. I realize that I need help.

Let me tell you about my night. I got myself all hyped up on these little babies that the "Drama Queen" wanted to make out of her Science book. Yep, they are pure sugar and I love them. (Whipped, baked, meringue - yummy)

Then I was off to a well known Women's hang-out, AKA Enrichment, for some much needed "girl-time". Yes, I was looking for trouble and I found it. Projects were begun, confidences made - let's just say what is learned at Enrichment, stays at Enrichment! It was late, clouds were rolling in and I headed home to bed. However, I didn't make it very far, I heard the call, I tried to ignore it, but those blogs, those upgrades, all the things that I can do to make my blog spiffy seemed to be screaming for me to join them. I admit it, I have no will power and I gave in. I perused the regular stomping grounds, but then I ventured out to the great unknown, I traveled farther then I had ever gone before and seen things that made my blog scream out - YES, Yes, more, more, and I was trapped. In the end I finally succumb to exhaustion about 5am and regretfully signed off.

When I awoke this morning, I felt like something dragged behind a semi, teeth with fuzz on them, and I had slept in my clothes.

And this is the beauty that I saw in the mirror - lovely.

Does anyone else see the resemblance?

I'm going to bed.......

****PS - I think that this dementia has a lot to do with the fact that I was listening to Jennifer P's music from her blog and it happened to be the song from "Children of the Corn". That was a truly scary blog!!!!

Why I do it.....

Why do I get up in the morning.....

So I can see these wonderful faces. Why do I clean the house, fold the laundry and cook the same meals over & over again....

So I can keep this family happy.

Why do I go out at midnight to get that last gift from the kids.....

So I can see how happy it makes Dad to get the right Father's Day Gift.

Why do I do what I do...

Because it is the best thing I will ever do!!!

Try-it-Tuesday

Yes, it is Try-It-Tuesday again and here is a family favorite recipe that is so easy and so yummy and a good way to get the kids to eat their vegetables.

Lemon Chicken

Here is what you will need:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2TBL butter

1 TBL Corn Starch

1 can chicken broth

1 large carrot sliced diagonally (more if you like more carrot)

1 cup frozen peas

2 TBL fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon peel

1/2 tsp salt

3 TBL parsley

1 cup minute rice

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In a large pot melt butter then saute` chicken, garlic

and onion about 5 minutes or until chicken is not pink -

then add cornstarch and cook for 1 minute.

Using your lovely assistant, add the broth and carrot and bring to a boil.
When carrots are starting to soften but not mushy add

the peas, lemon juice and peel, salt, parsley and the minute rice.

Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat for 5 minutes.

Serve with nice rolls and a fruit salad and you have a great one pot dinner.

This is a no left-over dinner and one that my kids

really do enjoy making as well as eating.

For more great Try-It-Tuesday ideas go here and check the comments.

All because two people fell in love.....

Thirteen years ago I married my "Best-Friend".

I mean that!

When we met, we became friends first - although "The Man" was deeply in love with me. I had been hurt, I mean really hurt, and had almost decided that I was going to, by choice, live my life alone because I never wanted to feel that hurt again!! However, he would not give up on me, he called, we talked, we did things as a group and slowly the group got smaller, then it was just us, doing everything together. It was so wonderful to have someone that was so like me, so fun and such a good man to call my friend. When he professed his love to me, I thought that would end it all, I was so scared and I did not want to loose what I had finally achieved; a relationship with a man that was built on respect and mutual appreciation. But as I searched my heart, prayed long and hard about it, I knew that I loved him, but could I trust again.......

I am happy to say that it was a good risk and one that has produced 2 amazing children and memories of a life filled with someone that I deeply love.

All of this because two people fell in love and I know that the best is yet to come!

Happy 13th Anniversary,

I love you!

WaHoo....Raging Waters!

Every summer, thanks to our Orthodontist, we get a FREE trip to Raging Waters for the day. It makes paying the price for straight teeth a little easier to take.

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Our first destination is the wave pool.

We got a floaty, that only mom used, and headed for the water to find the best place to get smashed by the waves.

Funny story: The first time "the Man" and I went to a water park was 3 days before our wedding. We got a 2 person float and took to the wave pool. Having tried time and again to force each other off the float as the waves pounded us we did not take into consideration that we were rocked back into the less than 2" of water area. As a wave hit us it rocked the floaty back and caused "the Man" to fly off head first into the water, he planted his head on that hard concrete bottom. When he rose up and turned to look at me, it was not him but a bloody mess that I was looking at. He had split open his head and was bleeding, that with the water from the pool it was running down his face and he was dizzy and confused. We quickly got him out of the water and to the first aid office and then off to the hospital for stitches and X-rays. After we had his neck cleared they worked on sewing up his head. They wanted to shave the site which was in the front of his hair and I freaked. "We are 2 days away from our Wedding and we are not shaving any part of his head!!!" So to that Doctors credit, he moved each and every hair out of place, taped it down and then stitched up his head. With a C-collar, seven stitches, free passes back to the water park and some crazy memories we headed home. On our Honeymoon, in Mexico, I got to take the stitches out.

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My water kids, having a great time.
"Sweet-boy" getting warm, it was hot but the water was a bit cool.
In the kids area they have a rope bridge that the kids love to go on.
Look at that stretch, go girl go!!!

She was so proud to make it over.

Now it is time for both of them to do it,

what a squirmy, slippery, feat.

The big kid on the back got that thing a rocking

and I thought that "Drama Queen" was not going

to make it, but she held on.

"The Man" joined us and we had a great time at

the rest of the park. Each year we get to try

more and more of the fast, fun slides.

Thank you Dr. Madsen for another great adventure!!

A Big Thanks to UDOT, Mayor Rocky Anderson and the Sierra Club

I wanted to personally thank UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation), Mayor Rocky Anderson, and the Sierra Club for the most enjoyable afternoon spent in Davis County traffic.

I had finished enjoying Gateway and a movie with family and as it neared the 4 o'clock hour I began to anticipate the delight of being stuck in traffic for the next 65 minutes. I so enjoyed watching the houses creep by and my gas gauge drop lower and lower as my tank emptied at an alarming rate for not having reached higher than 10MPH! I also wanted to thank you for your infinite wisdom in fighting with Mayor Anderson over the proposed development of Legacy Highway (that was to relieve all this wonderful parking), you enraged him and so he brought in the Sierra Club: that delightful bunch of do-gooders that slowed things down and cost billions of my tax-dollars to console. I am so happy that my taxes went to make someone elses' day and saved, ........what again????
But really I enjoy knowing that all this time spent not moving, not progressing to our home destination drives my children to the point of boredom and their only way to escape is to sleep till we finally arrive home.
I have to admit that there were several pauses along the way where I was tempted to catch some ZZ's as a way to kill the wait time. However, instead I took pictures of my children sleeping, dreaming of freeway scenes whizzing by. But, not on this journey, and maybe not on the next, but we are hopeful.

So I just wanted to thank you for all the reasons that I am glad for traffic jams and the rising cost of gas, increased taxes and the faltering economy, my trips home provide that distraction for me each time I make it.

Nothing Better......

We were in Salt Lake for errand running day.

"Drama Queen" got to stay with G&G while "Sweet-boy" got to have his first cavities filled.

Let's just say that the trauma from that experience is something

that I never want to endure again but

his love for Chocolate will make that a reality.

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After all that fun we went with G&G to see...

KUNG FU PANDA

Now I am not one to flock to kids movies although with kids under 12 I have no choice. There have been some that are wonderful and some that left a bad taste in the mouth and pocket book - but this was an enjoyable 2 hours.

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But the best part was to get time with G&G!!!
We love you guys!!!

Arm update

It has been three weeks to date since the

great Plasma Trauma and thus time for an update.

*****

I am still in pain, almost Arthritic in symptom and

the bruise has really turned into a

lovely shade of purple, black and icky green.

I am still wearing the arm-sling and taking Ibuprophen

for the pain and hope that this will all soon be a distant memory.

I know - what a mess!!!

Fresh Tomato Onion Sandwich

With all the fresh produce this is a great one to use up all those Tomatoes lying around

Sliced Pumpernickel Bread - toasted and cooled

Mayonnaise spread on both slices

Tomato slices - Salt & Pepper to taste

Onion thinly sliced - use either white or Vidala

Slap together and eat. It is really yummy and a good summer treat.

This also needs a breath mint or two after eating.

Enjoy!!!

Crazy Swim Party

The "Drama Queen" is fortunate/plagued by a winter Birthday. So we are never able to celebrate with fun summer activities - till today.

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We decided to invite some of the girls over for a swim party

and an "Un-Birthday Party".

Playing crazy water games.

They were all really good sports with the games!

Mom's crazy game of Ice-in-the-cup relay.

It was really funny to watch them think

this through and figure a way to win.

"Drama Queen" opening presents', we are well stocked

with "Pet Shop" and activities to help in the heat of summer.

Cooling off in the pool, even Mom

joined in - it was a hot day!

Even after all that fun in the sun the

kids still swam the day away and perfected their

acrobatics!!

*****

It was another great day.