When my kids shop

This is what they come up with.
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My uncle gave each of the girls a Toys R Us gift card for Christmas, so last night we took them to pick out what they wanted. I wasn't at all suprised that Lauren wanted a dress up dress, but was a little surprised that it had to be this dress, as opposed to any of the other (slightly less expensive) styles. It's cute as hell, though, and she's probably going to live in it until it falls apart. Also, for $20, it's a pretty good deal. What I want to know is why they don't make these in my size?

I was a little suprised that Sarah had zero interest in the dress up clothes. Instead, she wanted this desk lamp, which is now on the headboard of her bed. She loves the lamp in Lauren's room (which used to be her room), so it makes sense that she wants a small lamp instead of the overhead light. I'll admit, it's cozy.

She was a little concerned about it matching the rest of her room, though. She has Apple Blossom Faeries Wallies on the walls, and the bed & dresser have delicate flowers painted on them, so all the pink works together. Hello Kitty isn't my favorite, but she really likes it. Jeff & I both assured her that that's all that matters and that no one would think it looked silly. Sarah is frequently concerned with what other people think of her. :/

I'm back.

I've got my mindset back, and it feels pretty good.

I'm going to eat food I like. I was thinking about what to have for lunch, and I remembered my beloved Cold Sesame Noodles. I haven't had CSN in ages, even though it's one of my favorite dishes. Why is that? Why would I eat crap that I don't even like that well?

I'm going to remember that the "I'm hungry" feeling is ok, and does NOT need to be immediately satisfied until I get to the "I'm so full I might puke" feeling.

I'm going to exercise. I remember that great feeling after getting off the treadmill, that triumphant elation. As it gets warmer, I'm going to return to my post-dinner walks that left me feeling so refreshed.

I'm going to have occasional treats (a Godiva truffle has three points), but journal them and exercise portion control.

I am taking my life back.

Now I feel kinda stupid

If I'm going to be sewing, I really should learn the difference between rib knit and interlock, lightweight t-shirt knit. I went over to Hancock's (the roads in our neighborhood were crappy, but the main ones were tolerable) and discovered that what I have is just fine. It's cut out, I have a ball point needle in the machine, and as soon as the kids are done with lunch, I'm going to get this thing finished.

Someone's Trying to Tell Me Something (a pity party)

I'm starting to think that coming up with creative, unique, home made gifts is stupid. Just go to the mall and get the same old thing.

Exhibit A: gift baskets with pottery made by my SIL. Chili & cornbread with bowls, pancake mix & syrup with small pitchers, cocoa mix with mugs. I was going to pick up the pottery Monday, but when I called to check, SIL told me that her kiln had broken, and she'd just gotten the element replaced two days earlier. Also, everything she'd stored on their porch had frozen instead of drying. "Ok, so worst comes to worst, I'll get them from you on Friday at Dad's house; I'm not giving out those gifts until Saturday." The problem is that the pitchers & mugs might not be done even then, because the handles need a long time to dry or they'll break off. So today I got a couple creamers from Target. They're cute, but not the direction I was looking for. I have the reciept (somewhere) so I can return them if she does get the pitchers done.

Exhibit B: we were going to get a fishing rod for Jeff's dad. Trying to get information from him (about what kind he would need) under the pretense of getting a fishing rod for MY dad was useless. Geez, read between the lines! Figure it out! So I went to Penny's and got him a pair of Dockers and a polo shirt.

Exhibit C: Jeff's mom wanted pajamas. Instead of buying, I decided to make some and bought some cute flannel for the pants and knit for the top. Tonight, I finished the pants and as I was getting ready to cut out the top, I realized it's not knit. It's rib knit, which I don't think I can use for this. I might be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. I don't want to have to go out tomorrow in the snow and either buy more fabric or just buy some freaking pajamas.

Exhibit D: I just got back from the grocery store. One of the things I really needed was more pecans so I could make more tarts and more of the Poor Man's Turtles for everyone's goodie bags. No pecans in the whole damn store.

Next year, I'm giving gift cards to everyone.

We Three Things

Three names you go by: Mom, Kim, Momma Bunny
Three screennames you have: Ko_Jac, Kimmer, Dory
Three things you like about yourself: sense of humor, creativity, kindness
Three things you hate/dislike about yourself: procrastination, (um, I'll come back to this one . . .)
Three parts of your heritage: German, Croatian, Irish
Three things that scare you: something happening to my kids, bees/wasps, the thought of not getting back to a healthy lifestyle
Three of your everyday essentials: the internet, hugs & cuddles, water
Three things you are wearing right now: pajama pants, t-shirt, bandana to keep my hair back (pretty much my "uniform" lately)
Three of your favorite bands/artists at the moment: Sting, Sting, Sting
Three of your favorite songs at present: Bare Naked Ladies - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Three things you want to try in the next 12 months: quilting, landscaping, staying organized
Three things you want in a relationship (love is a given): trust, fun, laughter
Two truths and a lie: I speak fluent German; I lived in Switzerland as a student; My mom is a Canadian citizen.
Three physical things about the opposite (or same) sex that appeals to you: eyes, hands, butt
Three things you just can't do: sing, paint/draw, garden (working on it this year)
Three of your favorite hobbies: digital scrapbooking, regular scrapbooking, sewing
Three things you want to do really badly right now: be finished with Christmas stuff (that's big enough to count as all three)
Three careers you're considering: teaching
Three places you want to go on vacation: western USA, Germany/Switzerland/Italy, Ireland
Three kids names: Cole, Drew, Colleen
Three things you want to do before you die: get to and stay at a healthy weight, go back to Europe, see my kids grow up
Three people who have to take this quiz now or die a slow orgasmic death: Paula, DangerMouse, Amy

We're not alone!

http://www.skinnydaily.com/ is one of the blogs I like to check out on a regular basis. I like her approach, and today reminded me why. She's also slacking (though not to the extent that I am) during the holidays, and planning on getting back on the wagon next week. It is a good plan, and I'm so glad I've got a big support group planning to do this with me!

I have a new favorite word:

Bugger.

I used it quite a bit today while I was out shopping. Happily, I only used it regarding the -8 degree wind chill factor, not my fellow shoppers. The lines all moved well (except at the dollar store, but I was so happy to find boas and tiaras that I didn't care), and I got the pleated, cuffed Dockers pants FIL wants on sale. I'm pretty much done shopping, though I still need to do a lot of sewing, some baking, and go pick up the bowls, cups & pitchers from Michela.

Mint Dipped Oreos

So easy to make, and hugely popular.

• Oreos
• Chocolate (about a pound will cover about four dozen cookies)
• Peppermint oil (I got a tiny vial at a candy making store, and it's lasted for a few years. I don't think it's the same stuff as peppermint extract.)

Melt the chocolate. You can use the microwave if you're careful, or a double boiler, but I like using my small crockpot. Add a SMALL amount of peppermint oil. You do not need very much. For the last batch I did, I used about a pound of chocolate and maybe a quarter teaspoon peppermint, and I think they were just right. Maybe a tiny bit more, but only at your own risk.

I worked with a woman who tried making these once, and didn't get the concept of "a SMALL amount." She said that they smelled so strongly of peppermint that you could have used them for air fresheners, and she had to take the garbage bag out to the garage immediately.

Put an oreo into the melted chocolate, flip it over to coat thoroughly, then fish it out with a fork or other implement. I have a two-pronged plastic utensil that works very well, also bought at the candy making store. Tap the fork against the edge of the crockpot to get the extra chocolate off the cookie, then slide the cookie onto a cookie sheet or other flat area that's been covered with plastic wrap, tin foil, wax paper, etc. This is the most time consuming and painstaking part. You want to get off as much chocolate as you can so it doesn't all drip down on to the pan and pool unattractively. But it never fails that at least once while I'm tapping off the extra, the cookie will fall back into the chocolate. Cursing ensues, and I start over.

Also, only do one cookie at a time. Don't try to get ahead of the game by putting a few in the chocolate at once, because by the time you fish them out, they'll get mushy or break or do something else equally unattractive.

Once they're done and cool, you can drizzle to top with white chocolate, but that's just for looks.

Make LOTS, because you and everyone you know won't be able to stop eating them!

snore . . .

Maybe I should start going to bed before midnight. Ya think? I am so freaking tired it's obscene.
Today I made a Spiderman cape and two dressup skirts. I would have made the taggie blankie for my nephew, but I can't find the bleepingly adorable kiddie ribbon I know I have in the basement. I also know that the minute I truly give up and make the blankie, said ribbon will appear to taunt me. I also won an Ebay auction on a book for my brother. I hope it gets here in time!

I still have lots more dressup clothes to make and lots more baking to do. It wouldn't be quite so much baking, except that I've been eating cookies at a pretty regular rate. December 28 - that's when I'm going to start back on the WW bandwagon. Isn't that sad? I have a date when I plan to start taking care of myself again, but until then I have "too much to do." My priorities are seriously screwed up.

Tonight is Sarah's story night at the library. I would have Jeff take her, but if I go, I can doze while she's in there. If I stay home, I get Lauren, who still has a runny nose. I thought she was done with it, but it's back again this morning. No other symptoms, for which I'm most greatful.

• Tomorrow: Make my mint-dipped Oreos, do some more sewing. Go to work after Jeff gets home, get my hair cut after that.
• Friday: Drive Jeff to work and go grocery shopping during the day. After we pick him up, go to my sister's house for pizza & presents with the cousins.
• Weekend: Go to my friend's house to embroider/applique a quillow for my Dad with her machine, hit the post office, and buy a gift for Jeff's dad & my sister in law.
• Monday: Drive Jeff to work, go to Lauren's story time, then out to pick up the pottery stuff I had my SIL make. After we pick Jeff up from work, we're meeting a friend for dinner at Chili's. Yay, one less meal for me to cook. I think all the money we're saving from me being so crafty and making gifts is getting spent on meals out. No, that's not true; we'd meet this friend for dinner anyway.

I'm off to make some pecan tarts and work on Sarah's printing with her.

It's beginning to look a lot like . . .

you know what. Here's the tree, as decorated by Sarah & Lauren. They put up all the ornaments by themselves, and I love that the top half of the tree is naked. I might put up some other, more fragile ornaments up there myself, but I doubt it. I like this look, and Lauren's already been fooling with what's on the tree, so I don't feel like tempting fate.

Apple Cake

Sarah and Lauren and I made this today, based on my Grandma's recipe. I changed a couple things (a bit less sugar, traded half the oil for applesauce, mixed wet ingredients first then added dry, instead of just throwing it all in a bowl), and I really liked it. Not too sweet, nice texture.

So here's my version of Lucille's Apple Cake.

1½ cups sugar (ohh, I just thought - I'm going to use some brown sugar next time, instead of all white)
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup applesauce, preferably unsweetened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 cups flour
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 or 5 large apples, sliced (I didn't bother peeling them, and cut them into big chunks)
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix sugar, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Mix in eggs (Sarah and Lauren each got to crack an egg, and did pretty well - Lauren was very enthusiastic!). Mix in flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix in apples and nuts. Spray a 9x13" pan with Pam, then pour in the batter and bake at 325 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes. Let cool, then cut into squares.

I might have to make like Nigella Lawson, and go raid the fridge for another piece!

Bitchery for Fun and Profit

Today was my big excursion to Sam's for Christmas baking supplies as well as a few other regular things that are somewhat cheaper than at the other grocery stores I frequent. I haven't been to Sam's much lately, having overcome my antipathy toward the Meijer that is closest to me, where they have pretty decent sales. Sam's is still maginally better on a lot of things, though, so it's been worth it to me to make an occasional trip.

As we were walking in, I realized that it had been quite a while since we'd been there, and I wasn't sure if my account was still current. So I stopped at the closest checker and asked her if I could still use my card. She checked it and discovered that my account expired today. "Can I still use it?" She said she thought so, but that she'd double check. When she came back, she said it would be fine. OK, thanks.

Shop, shop, shop. Pecans and almonds and juice and graham crackers and butter and cream cheese and bratwurst and sponges and quart sized zip loc bags, and and and.

When we got to the checkout (Lane 8), I gave the checker my card, and she said it expired today. "No, it's fine" I said confidently. "I asked another checker, and it's ok for today." She got the manager, who said that it was expired today and I would have to renew if I wanted to use it. "No, I already checked on this. I wouldn't go spend an hour shopping if I wasn't sure about the card. I asked another checker, who asked a manager, and it was cleared." "Which checker was it?" "I don't remember exactly - shorter girl, maybe on Lane 2?"

The manager went off, and when she came back 5 or 10 minutes later, told me that the card expired at 12:01 today. "So you're not going to honor what your employee told me earlier?" "Maybe if you could find her . . ." "Allrighty then, I'll see what I can do."

So I took the girls and my empty cart and walked down the lanes. Lo and behold, at Lane 2, is the girl I talked to. She remembered me, and when I told her the situation, she said, "Get your stuff and bring it down here; I have the authorization, so we'll do it." I wasn't too keen on moving all my crap and standing in another line, but figured this was the easiest way to go.

Which turned out to be a good thing, because as I was loading up, I noticed the package of brats had a tear in the plastic. Back to the meat department for them, and I got some new ones. As I was walking back to the checkout lanes, I saw the Lane 8 girl motion me over and say that she could check me out.

So after all that, I spent $111 (about what I'd planned on, but less than I thought it would be when I surveyed my cart). Will I spend the $35 to renew my membership? Probably not. I don't know that I go there often enough to make the membership worth it to me. If they had a $10 "twice a year" membership, I'd probably jump on that.

I have to say, Sarah and Lauren did so well for their ages, in spite of it being after noon by the time we got out of there, well past lunch. Sarah didn't complain once, and if Lauren kept grabbing at the bread, that's pretty minor for someone not yet three. Also, she desperately wanted a balloon, and nicely asked several times if she could have one. The answer was no every time (the balloons were on a display, so I couldn't have gotten her one if I'd wanted to), but she was fine with it. She's recently entered the "fake crying and screaming if I don't get my way" phase here at home, so I was really glad she didn't pull that at the store.

Anyone who read my mini-novel here gets cookies!

Whoever invented Nyquil . . .

deserves a big fat kiss. I'm looking forward to going to bed tonight as soon as I chug down a big capful of that nasty stuff.

On a positive note, I got some good shopping done, including a very cool picture frame for our Christmas pictures. I promised Jeff I'd get all the frames ready to go this weekend, no more procrastinating.

Just Christmas

I forgot that you have to sign up to see the album at Ofoto.com, which is kind of a pain. So here are the four Christmas pictures we had taken, plus the embellishments I've added. They're also rotating through my sig, so you've probably seen them before.

The only thing I don't like about these is that the dresses came out a little dark. My own fault for getting navy blue & hunter green, huh?

The Year in Pictures

I've finally gotten all the pictures ready for Christmas albums and am just about ready to place my order. If anyone is interested in seeing our year in pictures (39 total), email me and I'll send you the link to the Ofoto.com album.

Happy, happy, happy!

My mom and stepdad are coming for a visit, yay! They weren't planning on coming up any time soon, but my stepbrother is doing some work on his kitchen and needs "slave labor," so they're helping them with expenses. They leave Florida this Sunday and don't have to be back until the 19th.

Life Right Now

Today: left a sick Jeff with the girls and spent the day working for my aunt at their social club on their newsletter, and trying to get their computer files in order. I still have a couple hours work ahead of me, creating three collages from dozens of pictures. I'm heading to the grocery store in about ten minutes, though, to refill the refrigerator. Oh, and Lauren's also sick - it looks like just colds for both of them so far.

Tomorrow: major cleaning of Sarah's room and the basement, then transferring the carseats to the Corolla and cleaning out the Buick so we can take it back to Jeff's mom. Back to being a one-car family! If Jeff's feeling better tomorrow, he'll probably clean out the Buick.

Monday: my friend Kathy & her daughter Isabella are coming to visit us (as well as family and other friends), sleeping on the futon in the basement before they head back to Colorado. Hopefully, we can all go to story time at the library.

Tuesday: I'd like to pick up Christmas pictures at the mall, but don't know when I'll do that, since I'll be running out the door to work as soon as Jeff gets home. Once I do get the pictures, I'm cramming to finish the photo albums and get them ordered so they can get here ASAP and I can get them mailed out for Christmas.

First one

See? I said, "soon!"

Home again, home again

If you go to a Great Wolf Lodge, I have two tips for you:

1. take a waterproof camera with you. You won't feel like spending $20 for one in the gift shop, no matter how much you want to get a shot of your kid's face as they belly flop into the water.
2. don't turn away from a child standing on the side of the pool, even if she says, "Look! The bucket's spilling!" Having your head jumped onto is painful, even if the person doing the jumping only weighs about 35 pounds.

Pictures coming soon!

Got it!

"Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad." Euripides

Yep, I did it. I'm going to make pajamas for my mother-in-law. Hunter, navy & cream plaid flannel (What is it with me and plaid? Is there a plaid support group?) for the pants and cream knit for the top, with navy bias tape at the neck.

There was some doubt for a minute. As I was looking through the fabric with the very helpful Hancock's employee, I realized that the sale had ended yesterday. Yesterday! This is the third freaking time in a row that I've missed out on a sale by one day, and I'm starting to take it personally. Then the manager said, "Since your kids are being so patient (they really were good, although Lauren sang Jingle Bells at least 12 times in the checkout line), I can give it to you on sale, but don't tell anyone." OK, so now everyone here is in on the secret too, right? Right! Shhhhhh! I got the pattern, fabric, elastic, plus fleece & elastic for two pair of mittens for just over $20. Ha!

Every major project I've made has had some new hurdle, something for me to fret about. The first major project, Easter 2003, it was lined bodices and buttonholes. Easter 2004 was zippers and curved hems. Halloween 2004 it was panne velvet & lame, which I'd never worked with before. Now it's knit. The thing is, all those things that made me nervous about taking on in the past - the zippers, the lined bodices, the buttonholes, the slippery velvet fabric - all those things ended up being no big deal. They might take a little patience and careful pinning, but they are not hard at all. I'm hoping knit follows suit.

As for zipping through the current pajama pattern, Evil One, I love this pattern, Simplicity 8488. Five pieces. No lining. No collars. No zippers. No buttons. I didn't bother with the lace or the applique, and am going to put hooks & eyes instead of buttons & loops at the back of the neck. Since the fabric is iridescent, that's fancy enough for this. If I could work on them while the girls were awake, I could whip them out in a day each. I would happily make these pajamas forever, and wish I could afford to sew more.

I'm getting my Serger out this weekend and take her for a test drive. Wheeeeeee!

Up to fate

It's official. I'm a sewing junkie. And insane. Sarah's pajamas are done. Lauren's pajamas are almost done. So why would I take on another Christmas project? I still have lots of dressup clothes to make, and lots of baking; I'm not lacking for stuff to do.

But yesterday, when Jeff's mom mentioned that she'd like, among other things, padded hangers and warm pajamas for Christmas, the wheels started turning. Today is the last day of the sale for Butterick & Simplicity patterns and flannel at Hancock fabrics. I already told the girls we'd go so they could pick out fleece (also on sale) to make mittens.

I'm leaving it in the hands of fate. If I find some flannel today that screams, "I belong with Barb!" I'll make them myself. If nothing jumps out at me, I'll buy them from a store.

Wish me luck (or therapy), one way or the other.

Lost's Love Slave

I watch my fair share of TV, but most of the time, I can take it or leave it. I haven't really had "appointment TV" since the heyday of X-files, and that verged on legendary. The first two seasons of that show, I had a standard open Friday night invitation to all my friends that they could come over to have dinner and watch the best hour of TV on. Sadly, that era ended long before the show did.

I am officially hooked on Lost (ABC, Wednesdays, 8PM). I love the mystery of "what the hell is going on?" and I love learning about the characters through the flashbacks. I'm equally entraced with all the story lines, and am a sucker for the gimmicks. I actually yelled, "Charlie, throw it in the fire!" when he got his baggie of heroin back from Locke. Everyone else may have seen it coming a mile away, but I wasn't sure he'd do it. I buy into every scene.

But the higher they climb, the farther they have to fall. I worry that I'm getting caught up in another show that can't live up to its buildup. (Chris Carter, I'm looking at you.) I don't really believe that the show will be able to sustain its current level of edge-of-my-seat interest. I've found myself wishing that the show was committed to be a year only. Then we'd know it would end, and we would get answers. I hate it when a show never answers any of its own enigmatic questions. I never liked X-files mytharc episodes, aside from Alex Krychek, because I just couldn't keep track of all the convoluted details.

I also worry that once they do solve the mystery (assuming they ever do), it will be a huge letdown. The individual imagination is more powerful than anything the writers will be able to come up with. So far, we've only gotten bits and pieces, so speculation is rampant, and the possibilities are endless. I avoid spoilers for this show, so that each show unfolds on its own. It's like hoarding the Godiva truffles I get for my birthday.

I really hope this show can keep it up - I miss having TV that I can compulsively overanalyze and obsess on every detail. For as long as it lasts, I'm going to enjoy the ride.

So, the Weight Thing

Most of the people who read this know that I've been struggling to get my weight down since last January. I've been doing Weight Watchers online, and really liking it for the most part. I like that WW gives me a lot of control to choose what I want to eat, but stresses a balanced meal plan and reasonable exercise. I lost about 80 pounds.

But for the past few months, I've been struggling, playing around with the same five pounds.

And for the past month, I've been eating like there's no tomorrow. Really - who eats six pieces of cinnamon toast for a snack? Or a half a bag of cheese puffs? I used to not even like cheese puffs (crunchy Cheetos are another story). The only bright side is that I haven't been interested in doing any baking. So at least I'm not eating an entire batch of Whole Wheat Banana Muffins.

What the hell is my problem? Even in the middle of a binge, cramming my face, I'll think, "This is a bad choice. You don't want to do this." But I keep doing it. If it weren't verging on scary, it would be funny.

I think the problem is two fold.

1. I hit the magic number, my big mini goal. I got down to the weight I was when I got married. I got back into my wedding dress. I went victory shopping with my stepmom. I started getting compliments. All that should make me motivated to get all the way to my final goal, right? (that goal is about 40 or 50 pounds below my wedding weight, by the way).


2. I am a stress eater. I've had a little bit of stress lately.


• At first I thought it was just sympathy stress for my brother and his wife (a big project they were working on went down the tubes due to someone else' malice).


• I've been doing a lot of projects: Halloween dresses, Christmas dresses, Christmas pajamas, and dressup clothes. Jeff keeps telling me not to take on so much, but I don't seem to know how to do that. Sewing is fun, but it does add up to more to do.


• Let's see, what else happened about a month ago? Oh, that's right, I started working again more steadily. Don't get me wrong, I really like working. The hours are perfect, the money is good, and it's fun. But it's something else I have to do, even if I'm only doing it two nights a week. Something else to check off my list. Even good stress is stress.

So what am I going to do? Well, I think the first issue is legit, and the reason I was playing around with that same five pounds for a few months. I wasn't working the plan. But until I deal with my stress constructively, I'm going to deal with my stress by cramming cheese puffs into my mouth. That kind of behaviour goes beyond "not working the plan" into "slaughtering the plan like a spring lamb" category, and it's time for it to stop.

Yesterday, I did ok. I didn't binge. I didn't keep track of my points, but I'm pretty well trained to know what I can eat. At this point, not binging is the only goal. Dealing with the stress monster is necessary, because if I ignore it, it doesn't go away. It stuffs cheese puffs down my throat, and I think I've had enough of that.

Today, I'm going to take on some tasks, like exercising and cleaning some of the clutter out of the kitchen. I always feel better when I get stuff done. I feel better - happier - when I take care of myself, too. So I'm going to work on being happy today.

Caving to Pressure

You know who you are . . . you other bloggers who made this seem so attractive. You bloggers who planted the seed of yet another thing to occupy my time instead of doing more productive things. Hmmmm . . . thank you!