Sleepytime Driving

I drive the sleepiest highway in America. It can be in the morning, afternoon or evening and driving on this road makes me tired. Pass out at the wheel tired.

Maybe it’s the hum of the tires as they cleave to the asphalt. Or the vibration of the steering wheel in my hands. Or the fact that it is such a lonely highway that I put it on cruise control and drive for almost thirty miles without once having to apply the brakes.

It’s not just me. Hubby has driven this stretch, with and without me, and he agrees that there is something mesmerizing about this road.

The bad part is I drive it everyday. Twice a day.

I’ve tried to spice it up with music, singing, talking to myself and other drivers. Nothing completely works. It’s the road. This bewitched dreamy road.

As soon as I get off I’m alert as nothing has happened.

This would be the perfect alien abduction road.

I'm So Excited...And I Just Can't Hide It

Hubby received several boxes for a project he’s working on. During the opening of these boxes which are in no way for the girls, this is the exchange that took place.

Both Teagan and Kaitlyn stood on dining room chairs to examine Daddy opening the delivered boxes.

Teagan ~ I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. (This came out of a 3 year olds mouth.) Daddy, I’m going to close my eyes.

The rest is down hill since, as previously stated, the contents were not for the girls.

I have no idea how she comes up with this stuff.

Restroom Etiquette

I work in a sizeable office building. It has three stories and fourteen offices on each floor. Wing offices (like the one I’m in) have their own restroom but each floor has facilities.

Now I utilize our office restroom but on occasion will visit the “floor” restroom.

Today I did and as I was in a stall the main door opens. A woman walks in and address’s the entire bathroom (Me) asking “Who’s in there?”

Do you answer such a question?

With the probability of so many different possible patrons did she think she might know me?

Who does this? Seriously am I such a prude that this behavior escapes me and in all actuality is normal or common?

I’ve seen shoes in the stalls that in any other room I would have complimented, but in that room, uh, no.

I was mortified. There was no way I was going to answer her.

My husband asked if I had seen the Seinfeld spare a square episode. “See… Women are just weird.”

Congratulations Senator Scott Brown

Congratulations Senator Scott Brown. I hope you exceed your constituent’s expectations.

Mini Pecan Pie Muffins

I would normally not blog about a blog that blogged about a blog. Get that? But this just has to happen.

I was visiting one of my favorite sites TasteSpotting and saw a recipe for Mini Pecan Pie Muffins. I have been visiting this site for a long time and never once did I immediately go and make a recipe that I saw there, until tonight. My husband loves pecan pie and this recipe on Bake at 350 that she got from Make Ahead Meals promised that it tasted just like the gooey goodness I only make at Thanksgiving.

It was super easy. 5 ingredients, one bowl, and a few mini muffin pans. The most effort I had to put forth was chopping the pecans. Which I did with a newly acquired Christmas present from Aunt Lori, so even that was quick and painless. In around twenty minutes I was biting into a warm, moist, caramelized muffin. Truly delicious. So much so that Kaitlyn has been trying to grab one off the counter even though I cut her off an hour ago. I gave Hubby one as he was passing the kitchen. I asked him what he thought and his reply was “I think I need about six more with a glass of milk.” That about sums it up. I did cook them a tad too long so watch the clock but these will be a sure hit.

Here is the recipe. Flat out copied from on Bake at 350. The last line about freezing, will not be needed.

Mini Pecan Pie Muffins
(recipe courtesy of Jane Doiron, Make Ahead Meals )

1 c light brown sugar
1 c pecans, chopped
1/2 c flour
2/3 c butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten

Spray 20 mini muffin cups with nonstick spray (I used butter); set aside. Preheat the oven to 350.

In a medium bowl, mix all of the ingredients together. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups evenly.

Bake for 18-20 minutes. The edges will be crispy. Do not overbake. Remove the muffins and cool on a wire rack.

~Freeze~

When the muffins are completely cool, place them in a freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months.

These are my pics. You can tell I need a lesson in theatrical. If you are interested in this recipe and many more Bridget at Bake at 350 is hosting a giveaway for Jane Dorion’s new cookbook called Make Ahead Meals. After making this shear piece of ingenuity I bookmarked both sites. I suggest you do the same.

Persistance

Kaitlyn ~ I want em an ems. (M&Ms)

Daddy ~ I'm making lunch soon.

Kaitlyn ~ I want em an ems.

Daddy ~ Maybe after nap.

Kaitlyn ~ I want em and ems.

Daddy ~ No Kaitlyn, I'm making lunch soon.

Kaitlyn ~ I want em and ems.

Daddy ~ I said no, Kaitlyn. I'm not giving you M&Ms.

Kaitlyn ~ I want brownie.

Stylish, Fabulous, Hip Sunglasses

I do not have luck with fancy sunglasses or any sunglasses really. For the most part I either sit on them, loose them or get them scratched up beyond use due to laziness in putting them away. Me actually buying a new pair is fraught with finding the most inexpensive and durable while trying to still retain a look of fashion.

Having acquired a gift card for Christmas I decided to splurge and buy a really nice pair of sunglasses with the promise, to myself, to treat them properly. Never have I spent so much money on sunglasses. I think I’ve only spent this much money on a purse. Once. But they are beautiful. Very stylish and the highest quality I have ever, ever owned.

Unfortunately for the past week and a half there has been no sun. No reason for me to don my new shades. In fact if I had it might have made me drive worse. Yes, I said worse.

Until today. Here comes the sun…dada, dada, da, here comes the sun. As I slip on my sunglasses there is an air that fills me. Pretty sure it was narcissism. I am stylish, I am fabulous, I am hip. Oh, uh, I have a booger.

I take off said sunglasses and blow my nose. Replacing the sunglasses my hipness returns full force. Uh, I still have a booger.

I take off my sunglasses and this time (GROSS I KNOW) look to make sure I have blown the bothersome booger out of my nose. Maybe that is it? No, not really. Just a fluke. I put back on the trendy specs. Okay now this is getting ridiculous. Either I have a booger or I don’t.

I take off the sunglasses and this time have to fiddle around the car for a napkin as I have exhausted my normal supply. Wait a minute…oh no. My stylish, fabulous, hipness inducing sunglasses are pinching my nose and making it feel like I have a huge irritating booger. My freaking luck.

Yes I tried them on at the store I guess I just didn’t leave them on long enough. Who would have thought that stylish, fabulous, hip looking sunglasses are also evil booger imitators.

Heath Care Fit For All

I normally would never do this but I feel strongly about the nations health care system. If the Senate and Congress can develop a health care bill good enough for them then I am all for it. Therefore I'd like to push their accountability a little further.

On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment, courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn which would require all Members of Congress and their staff members to enroll in any new government-run health plan.

Congressman John Fleming has proposed an amendment that would require Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force on us. (Under proposed legislation they are exempt.)

Congressman Fleming is encouraging people to go to his Website and sign his petition. The process is very simple. I have done just that at: http://fleming.house.gov/index.html

Senator Coburn and Congressman Fleming are both physicians. Regardless of your political beliefs, it sure seems reasonable that Congress should have exactly the same medical coverage that they impose on the rest of us.

Please urge as many people as you can to do the same!

Sassy Go Away

Would someone tell me where the sass came from? And more importantly how to get rid of it.

Teagan has entered a very sassy time. She is using “adult” phrases and I’m not talking about cussing. I have really worked hard at curtailing my sailor mouth. No, she is using my discipline phrases. “Are you listening to me?” “Go to your room!” “Hush, right now.” These phrases should be used by Mommy and maybe Daddy but never, never children under eighteen. Just imagine a three year old putting her hands on her hips, giving you a drop dead stare, and with a monotone harsh voice through gritted teeth saying “You just need to hush.” ~twitch, twitch~ Oh, how I almost came unglued. WHAT?! WHAT DID YOU JUST TELL ME TO DO???”

How am I suppose to combat this? These are my phrases and they are needed on several occasions. I assure you the phrases are better said, than not said and me swatting her butt. This has only happened just recently that it’s full time sass. Before it would be scattered throughout the month maybe the week but now it’s an everyday and several times a day occurrence.

I don’t think it’s an aggression against my return to work. In fact I think she is appreciates me more now that I’m not at her beck and call. I honestly am dumbfounded where this habit was picked up. I know all kids want to be treated older than they are but this is ridiculous.

1...2...3...Resolution

Another year gone and now a new year to look expectantly to with hopes of improvement. So far my new year’s resolutions have not made it the entire year. Except one. A few years ago I resolved to send birthday cards to family and friends. It was a good one for me to take the time to remember the people so important in my life and it made them feel good knowing I did. This actually lasted a few years before the cost of time, materials and stamps were outweighing the results. I guess in this era I could switch to e-cards.

This year is going to be tough for several reasons. I guess I should label this year the bite the bullet year or maybe the suck it up year. Some aspirations cost more than others but that is what makes it worth it.

#1) As of today my amazing husband is going to be a student again. He is going to need study time, homework time, reading time, basically extra time that is going to come out of “our” time. This sucks so badly. I’m going to have to pick up the slack where he has to let it go. Amazing hubby is not like the majority of men. He helps around the house, with the kids, with cooking and basically everything else. Now with his new endeavor I don’t expect him to do as much as he does now. That means I have to. I will suck it up because he deserves this. I hated school. Barely made it through and really do not want to add on to my degree for anything. Even though challenging, Hubby liked school and learning for him is easy and has enjoyment value but overall this offers stability for his career and our family. I will make sure the sacrifice he is making will not be overburdened with things I can do. And that means not complaining about it too. Suck it up.

#2) My next resolution is to blog two times or more a week. This sounds easy but it really is not. I don’t want to spew out words just to post them. I want offer some humor or insight for my readers. Since I became employed (have I said how happy it makes me to have a job? I’m so happy.) it has become even more difficult to find time to write. Even my ideas are fewer since my main muses are my girls and I get less time with them because of working. However I love to write. I enjoy trying to create, with words, the anecdotes I want to share. Besides I relish reading the comments. In order to do this I’m going to have to give up some mind numbing surfing on the net or Facebook time. These silly things help me unwind and de-stress but I’m going to have to bite the bullet and write. I will have to de-stress with resolution number three. I am sure I will “cheat” and post a picture once and awhile but I will bite the bullet and devote time to write for you, my dear readers.

#3) Three resolutions? You are asking yourself “how freakin’ crazy are you.” How am I going to fit in another resolution? By giving up sleep. I am joining a gym. Yes like everyone’s resolutions I am trying to get healthy. I have gotten so fat that even fat clothes look bad on me. It’s very depressing. I’ve got to do something about it. I will not tell you how much I have to lose and I will not post my goals. I am holding myself accountable and refuse to let the internet community hold me accountable too. Now because of resolution one and two my extra night hours are gone so instead I’m going to wake up early and go to the gym. I love sleep so very much. This may be the very hardest of all three resolutions because I will be introducing pain and giving up my most prized hobby. Before kids I would sleep nine to eleven hours easily. Once I slept for fifteen hours and I wasn’t even sick. I just love sleep. So this would be considered the suck it up and bite the bullet resolution all in one.

A year from now my husband will be several classes smarter, my blog will be a minimum of 104 posts longer and my waist will be inches smaller. I hope.