CHAPTER 32
So I recently have been inspired by a movie to do a dinner party and dessert buffet towards the end of Summer. For the last week and a half to two weeks I have been going through recipe after recipe. I finally found a recipe today that looks worthy of such an affair. I was thinking of going with Cornish hens or quail in the first place but this recipe really stuck out to me, it's "Cornish Hens with Kasha Pilaf."
CHAPTER 31
These last two weeks I have lost two loved ones, a cousin and a very close family friend. This is the main reason I have not been posting that and I had food poisoning and Troy developed an abscess tooth. So it has been a very hard couple of weeks for me. I am almost fully recouped. I should be able to get back into the groove of things in the coming week. :)
CHAPTER 30
Yesterday and today were much better. Still have some pains here and there but am better. I hopefully will be back in full force soon.
CHAPTER 29
You know how people tell you to cook the sh*t out of your food, I agree with that sentiment. The reason I have been out of blogland lately is due to a rather horrible spell of food poisoning. I still am a bit shaky today but I can feel myself getting better. I will give a full report tomorrow.
CHAPTER 27
My apologies to my small fan base, I haven't kept up very well in the last two days. I have been very ill. I am hoping I will feel better tomorrow then I can give you the full report.
CHAPTER 26
Yesterday was fine and dandy even a little on the boring side. Paul and troy had school in the am and while they where gone Gabriel,Em and I went out for lunch with my parents at Sweet Waters Restaurant. The rest of the day was spent homeschooling,cooking and cleaning. A friend stopped by in the evening and we watched a movie online then Laz got home and we put in District 9, my friend went home. I fell asleep on the couch during the movie and then Laz woke me and we got into bed at around 11. I woke up at 4 in the morning with a killer stomach ache so I went and took some tums (had heartburn too) and sat on the couch. I fell back asleep like this. When I got back up around 7 am this morning I still had the stomach ache and I kept burping these nasty burps....yuck. Eventually the tummy bug quieted down a bit but whatever it was has completely wiped me out and I still feel a little sick and uber tired, I am thinking maybe, possibly....food poisoning. Going to rest for awhile now.
CHAPTER 25
It's been one of those days. You know the kind that drive normal women like myself (ha!) to do crazy things like eat abnormally large amounts of chocolate,ripping one's hair out, drinking copious amounts of coffee and leaving us with the overwhelming urge to sit and cry.
My children seemed to have some sort of vendetta against me today and I don't even know why. Perhaps it was because I wouldn't let them just have carnation instant breakfast this morning. Maybe it was the fact that I made them clean their room or worse yet perhaps it was because I'm a stickler for consistent discipline,lol. Whatever the case today was filled with lots of screaming (surprisingly not me),hitting,biting and crying(that might have been me). Truth be told it wasn't the worst day I've had but it seems when one child has a massive burnout the others are soon to follow. A sort of snowball effect or domino, if you will.
The day seemed to drag on forever because of the foul mood hanging over us. Homeschooling took forever today because I constantly had to stop what we were doing so I could break up Em and Troy. Though Troy is 3 years Emma's senior they are at about the same age mentally. So it's basically two,two year olds, which is pretty much a love,loath relationship. I guess it wasn't slow just because of that though. Gabe started semester two of his Phonics and it's been a real change up. I think it'll at least take a week or two before we get use to this new schedule.
When Paul got home all hell broke loose. Sometimes I think I might as well set up a boxing ring in the living room and just let him and Gabriel go at it. If I could put percentages on everything I'd have to say that the "tattling" went up 70%, the crying,hitting and screaming went up 90%. I am glad to say that they are all in bed right now and things are finally quieting down.
Don't get me wrong I love my kids but there are days where I am completely overwhelmed by everything. It's like suddenly everything hits me at once and I feel frantic. I could sit here and type out everything that weighs on me but I know I must not do that, I must leave it at the cross.
CHAPTER 23
I had my mom help me frost my hair this morning, then I did homeschooling with Gabe. Then I got ready to go to another LCAG meeting. Farmed the kids out to different babysitters,lol. Went to the meeting, still thought I don't have enough time to join a committee then after the meeting went to some friends house for dinner and dessert not to mention great fellowship. Had a blast, headed home, got snowed on...ODD. Picked up all the half asleep kiddo's and then went home, blogged then to bed.......My day in a blunt little nutshell.
CHAPTER 23
I spent yesterday cleaning and catching Gabe up on homework. Towards the evening we had a couple friends over and we watched stand up comedy until 1:30 in the morning (Pablo Fransisco and Eddie Izzard).
As far as today is going, it's been very boring. I made breakfast (eggs,bacon and sliced apples with juice) at around 8 this morning. Then I made coffee only to find out my coffee and my creamer was old. Word of advice smell it before you taste it. So I bundled up the kiddo's and trekked on over to the nearest Dutch Brothers and got myself a medium White Chocolate Mocha. When we got home I made some caramel popcorn and the kids and I watched TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). After that it was already nearly time for lunch so while I got that started Paul and Gabe went out back with Laz and helped around the shop and the yard.
Lunch was ready around 1. We had the best boxed food ever, I'm actually not joking. I recently discovered that the Macaroni Grill Franchise has now started producing boxed dinners. OMG it was fantastic,we had the "Garlic and Herb Chicken Penne." Seriously it was worth the extra buck and it is far better than any other boxed food I have had before. I reccomend getting some salad to go with it.
It's now around 3:30 and Emma is taking a nap, Troy is watching WALL-E, Gabe is playing out back with Laz and Paul is conquering King of Hearts on the PS2. I'm just shooting the breeze on the blog.
CHAPTER 22
I spent most of the morning cleaning like crazy all due to the fact that I didn't clean yesterday like I should have. The whole point of cleaning was because I was expecting company. I think I finished cleaning with 15 minutes to spare, just enough to get the kids and I out of our pajamas and into some real clothes.
My friend arrived around noon and I hadn't really realized until then how much I truly missed adult interaction. We chatted over tea and when that ran out we just chatted, I loved it. Meanwhile the kids just played and ran around. I made sure to warn my friend ahead of time that Troy prefers to go sans clothing and that he screams often. Within minutes of her getting here he proved both points.
Upon entering the house Emma ran to her, though she has never seen her before. Gave her a hug and tried to kiss her then proceeded to stick her tongue out at her and wiggle around. Nearly the whole time that we were together Emma was all over her. I felt kind of bad because she's usually not that way with people. I think we ended up talking about 2 hours wonderful joyous hours,lol. I highly recommend getting frequent doses of adult interaction if you have several small children. Soon after my friend left, Paul got home and I finished picking up. Then another friend showed and shortly after Laz came home. I made dinner at 6:30 (Penne with bacon and mushrooms and garlic bread) which was from a new recipe and turned out rather bland, I wasn't to happy. Gabriel scarfed it down at least.
After dinner Laz took the two older boys over to another friends place to have "all boy time" and I stayed home with friend #2( lol) and the two younger kiddo's. The kiddo's will be in bed soon and we are going to watch the movie "We own the Night" and then maybe another movie.....I don't what yet....
CHAPTER 21
This morning had a rough start. I decided to start school early again this morning but that didn't pan out very well. Even the simplest of questions could not be answered. So I quickly tossed that idea and let the kids play for awhile instead. We tried again at 10am and things went much more smoothly from there. I was suppose to be spending my extra time cleaning but since I am having guest over tomorrow but I was so tired and worn out I didn't get much done in the way of household chores.
The kids were still a little riled up today but not as bad as yesterday afternoon. I haven't started yet but I received some p.e.c.s cards from Troys teacher, I am hoping this helps with his anxiety level and the screaming. Maybe everything will calm down a bit once I get to using them. For those that don't know, pecs(picture exchange communication) cards help Troy better communicate with us by using them as visual aids. Though he is starting to say simple sentences here and there he still uses the cards more confidently than anything else.
As evening approached my father-in-law came over and picked up the younger two kids so I could attend a meeting (youth drama group) at the church, the purpose of which was to submit my final design for their t-shirts. Laz watched the older two so I could be child free for a bit.
My plan was to stick around at the meeting but Applebee's was calling so a friend of mine and myself went and got dinner after which we dropped off some movies and picked up a few items at the grocery store. When I got home the friend went home and I watched the ending of "Old Dogs" with Robin Williams and John Travolta. Then we watched "From Paris with Love"...yet another Travolta movie ,however his co-actor,Rhys Meyers was not as funny but definitely had the "handsome Irish" factor going on;) Now I am on her and then off to bed.
CHAPTER 20
Couldn't sleep last night, I have no idea why. Sleepless nights always make for drawn out day's. I got Paul and Troy on the their buses and off to school by 8:20. I went at head and hit the books with Gabe right away, we finished Math by 9:00. I decided to take Gabe and Emma out for breakfast with my parents and a long time family friend, "Jerry." The kids shared pancakes,bacon and apple juice. I had a skillet dish with everything in it and Lord know's why, but I ordered a Pepsi with it. Anyways, enough about food, the fellowship was nice. Jerry has been a family friend since before I was born and in recent months he has become very ill so time with him is even more precious now. It's odd how thing's work out that way. Breakfast didn't last long as Jerry was getting to tired to sit and visit so my parents had to take him home. I decided not to stick around either as I had to make sure I was home when troy got off the bus.
Once troy was home(12:30, a lil' late) we had a snack and then I put the younger two down for a nap. Gabe and i then tackled Phonics. After the lesson I gave Gabe the choice of a movie or a half hour of online computer games. He chose to watch Transformers 2......again. No matter,I did the usual routine of picking up the floor area that my kids seem to think is just one big trash can. Interestingly enough Gabe was bored with the movie within 15 minutes so we turned it off and he decided he wanted a bubble bath....which I thought was kinda odd but I obliged him so I could fulfill my selfish want off checking Facebook and Cafemom,lol. After the fantastic bubble bath was over we tackled Language Arts, which I am now realizing we didn't actually finish, I forgot to read the story of the Little Red Hen to him, oh well..tomorrow.
Paul came home a little early so I decided to hurry and get the last subject of Art finished and over with. Once that was toast Paul got in his half hour on the computer and I continued my earlier adventure of picking up plus laundry and dishes, I even managed to clean the boys room. For dinner I cracked open a can of good old chicken noodle soup and then we had sliced apples with caramel and milk. It's kinda funny, I generally cook from scratch and when I do the kids generally scoff at it. I pop open a can,however, and they eat every last drop, I really hope that people aren't fibbing when they tell me my cooking is good,lol.
After dinner the kids seemed to go crazy, there was constant screaming, fighting etc. By 7:30 I had HAD it. I bathed Emma and Troy got them in bed and Gabe and Paul followed close behind. I did have Gabe sleep in my room, he is generally the instigator so once I take him out of that picture the kiddo's generally fall asleep quickly and they definitely did tonight, they were out within minutes. I guess this means and early morning.
With the kids asleep I took advantage of our new "antennae" and finally got to watch an episode of American Idol, I am not impressed yet, maybe it's just a rough night. I am actually watching as I write this.
Before I go I gotta give quick props to my hubby, he had bought and had lunch with a homeless man today. This man told him his life's story of a happy family broke by adultery and alcoholism. He said he had a son going for his masters in college and a daughter going for her bachelors. Laz didn't go into detail about what all was said but I was so proud of him for caring so much for a stranger.
CHAPTER 18
Today I am going to be Superwoman minus the nifty cape. I'll let you all know how it goes tonight ;)
CHAPTER 17
Woke-up at 7:30, sat a moment to collect my thoughts. Decided everyone needed Cheerios for breakfast. By 8:00 I had Paul get dressed and I began to help Troy get dressed. This morning their buses came at the same time,about 8:20. I waved at Paul as his bus drove away and I got Troy buckled in his seat on his bus. By 9:30 all the kids were fed and dressed. So I decided to go do a little shopping before Troy got home at noon. We went to Target and got the boy's some socks and shoes, which in fact were much needed.Kid's,who knew they grew like weeds?
After about an hour of shopping we headed home. On the way I picked up some criss-cut fries from Carl's jr's. I knew Emma loves fries so I assumed she would like these......I was wrong, oh well. After several attempts at getting Em to eat her fries I gave up and aborted the mission. I would have called for back-up but there was only Gabriel and he didn't want the fries either. Lesson learned.
I should mention that today was a break day for Gabe so while I did my thing around the house and played on the net he was busy running around being a nut. By nut I mean, he's going to grow up to be an actor ;) He has an insane imagination and frequently uses this to his advantage. For example; convincing his brother's that there really is a circus elephant in the back yard.
Finally around 12:25 Troy came home so I started lunch.While eating I received a call on Skype from a friend. We chatted for about a half hour and made plans for later in the day. Mainly more shopping and fresh air.....I hear the two combined create a state similar to being high, for some women, personally I would be happy to get in there and get out before I'm mauled by frantic sales clerks or worse yet over-zealous women with carts and agenda's. Shortly after the Skype session my buddy showed up and we we took the kiddo's over to my parents place to visit. However it was immediately noticed that we shouldn't stay as my parents were trying to hook up a new printer/scanner combo in their office. Let's just say that it was not a "user" friendly environment ;) So we headed back home. At this time it was about 2, we stopped at Dutch bro's grabbed a double mocha for my buddy and a peach smoothie for myself,oh and a couple of suckers for the kiddo's.
We hung out and chilled at eh house for a couple hours. Paul came home at 3 and we watched a movie with the all the kids and had snack time, played on the internet and even managed a bit of cleaning,lol. Once Laz got home, my buddy and I took Troy to my mother-in-laws to watch while we finished shopping,Laz and a buddy of his watched the older two and Emma came shopping with me. All that took till about 7:30pm when we cam home. I fed the kids a light dinner at this point and then sent them off to bed. Both our friends went home at around 8:30 but Laz and I stayed up and watched another movie and hung out. I am writing this post at 11 at night and then once I'm done it's light's out for me. Laz is already snoozing so I should get off here,neither of us likes sleeping alone.
CHAPTER 16
Well I guess I won't be able to post every day but I will be able to write about every day,make sense?lol.
Yesterday was ok, a little boring. Laz and I spent the majority of the morning cleaning the house. At noon my mother-in-law cam over and I fixed us all some Indian food for lunch. It was a new recipe from allrecipes.com, however it definitely was not my favorite. It definitely had spice but no spark.After lunch I lazied about only helping when I needed to. The kids played outside all day, riding bikes and going to the park with Papa. I longed to get out and do some shopping but it just wasn't happening. I had fun with the kiddo's anyways. It was nice just to get some fresh air anyhow.
After a cereal dinner and shower time the kiddo's went to bed and Laz and I stayed up and watched "Surrogates" with Bruce Willis than we watched a documentary on Anna Winters. She was the woman who the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" was all about. Interesting
