Thursday, January 31, 2008

Nutella goodies!!!

I was talking to my girlfriend Tracy this morning, and I brought up the subject of Nutella. She'd never heard of it, and I was gobsmacked. How many of you out there have never had a taste of this wonderful treat? Nutella is like peanut butter, only made with hazelnuts, and it already has chocolate in it. I love it on toast or waffles, or sometimes even pancakes. My yayness this morning was due to finding a cupcake recipe that uses Nutella in it! Then I found a whole different page devoted to using Nutella in recipes! If you want to look for it, you can usually find it in the aisle with the peanut butter. Kroger carries it sporadically, but I can always find it at Meijer (which I hate, but I digress - that's another story for another time).

I watched American Idol last night (as per usual), and I am confused. Does it seem like to anyone else that they've lowered their standards this year? I saw some not so good people get through, and there have been at least two people in the last two weeks that I thought should've gotten through and didn't. Maybe my hearing is going in my old age; I don't know. I found myself actually covering my eyes at some of the worse auditions, which Gracie thought was just hilarious. "Why are you doing that, Mom?" "Because they're so bad, I'm embarrassed for them, honey." "Why, do you know them?" KIDS!!!

Speaking of kids... 2 days, and my baby will be 2. Color me sad. :( She's growing up so fast! I wish I could stop time for a little while, you know? Ah well. Here's to hoping everyone has a great rest of the day - I'm gonna go make some cupcakes and clean to get ready for Josie's OT visit. Love to all!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Jinkies!

I've been reading a lot of testimonials from people who have gotten out of Scientology, and all I can say is... WOW. I think the best analogy I've read is this one, where they compare being in Scientology to the movie "The Truman Show." It frightens me to think that a mother could desert her child the way so many of these people seem to have done, all for the sake of Scientology, and then they realize years and years later (when it's too late to make amends with their children) that they have wasted their life pursuing it. Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that I've never been involved in a futile pursuit - never one of that magnitude, though. Much, much smaller scales for me.

The Speech Therapist came today, and I gave her the list I'd made of Josie's words and signs. She's up to 76 signs and 99 words, as of today. She stood up at dinner last night and yelled, "GUYS! Guys, guys, guys!!" :) She's so goofy! And Grace... I made chicken, green beans, and sweet corn cakes for dinner last night, and Gracie took a bite and said, "Mom, this chicken is off the hook!" I don't know where she heard it, but I laughed my butt off! Her dad told her that for every A she gets on a test at school, she can download one song from iTunes. She got an A on her math test, and today she finally decided what song she wants to download for it - "No One" by Alicia Keys. Score! I like the song too, so it works out for both of us!

Speaking of those corn cakes I made... I have asked several people about this, and no one remembers them. Does anyone else out there remember the sweet corn cakes that Tumbleweed used to serve? I know Chi Chi's had them, but I mean the ones from Tumbleweed! I used to love those and ask for extra of that instead of the refried beans... and the sweet corn cakes I made last night are the exact same thing! YUM!

Anyhoo... hope everyone is having a lovely day. Love to all.

Monday, January 28, 2008

WOW!

Well, I am gobsmacked. In the last two days, I have heard from 3 old friends (one I actually talked to on the phone! Hi Joyce! *waves*). Hopefully we'll be able to get together soon!

I was going through my plans last night to make a scrapbook for Josie's 2nd year, and I realized I hadn't updated lately her book on how many signs she knows, or how many words she can say. I counted (I think my list is pretty exhaustive), and she knows 76 signs and can say 95 words, not to mention the 6 animal sounds she can imitate! I am SO PROUD of her. This is enormous progress, and I have to give a big thanks to her OT and ST for their hands in it! She's still doing her OT and ST, and I'm still signing with her at home, but they help so much.

It's hard to believe that she's going to be 2 on Saturday. I thought I'd be more upset, but I am surprised to find that, even though I'm a little sad (which comes with the territory, right?), I'm not as upset as I thought I'd be. She's such an easy baby with an easygoing personality...must be the calm before the storm, right? Terrible twos? Bring it on! :)

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Dreamquesting

Did you ever wake up from a dream so vivid and real that, when you opened your eyes to real life, you were disappointed? I mean, the dream itself that I was having wasn't all that great (I was doing laundry!), but what happened was pretty good. In my dream I ran into an old friend from high school (and middle school, for that matter), and she stopped and said hello to me. She told me to call her when I got home, and I said "X, you know I don't have your number." She took my number down and promised to call me when she got home. I don't know why, but that gave me a really good feeling, and when I woke up, I was sorely, sorely disappointed when I woke up and realized it wasn't real. I'm not sure how to interpret that. Of course I realize it means that I'd love to talk to her again (I see her occasionally in passing - we've never even said hello), but I would never call her now because: 1. I don't have her number, and 2. I don't know if communication from me would be welcome. I know some of you are wondering, "Why don't you look her up and find out?" But I did something like that a few years ago, and called some old friends... and I don't think it went so well. They were nice to me on the phone, which I appreciated (no one wants to have the phone slammed in their ear)... but I felt it was awkward and that they didn't really want to hear from me at all - so I'm not open to doing that again.

The sad thing is that now I feel - at the risk of sounding melodramatic - empty, for lack of a better word. I guess that tells me how much I really want to get together with this person, which is sad. If you know me, you know I'm not an especially outgoing person, and I tend to cling to the people I already know. I'm not likely to start making new friends at my age, nor do I have any desire to. I have plenty of "friends" that I talk to regularly on the phone or via email, but live too far away to do anything with. I'm not belittling their friendship in any way whatsoever by posting this - I value them; I love them, and they know it. (*MWAH*) All I'm saying is that there are some people here I miss, and basically I guess I'm too much of a weenie to do anything about it. Ah well.

On to happier things... I cleaned my bathroom last night. Got out an old toothbrush and scrubbed... YES I SCRUBBED WITH A TOOTHBRUSH. Some things from your upbringing you can't change, I suppose. I know it's clean, but now I realize I need grout to fix some things that look ugly, and I need paint for the walls, and I need a new baseboard for the floor... cleaning just makes me realize how very much more there is to do.

...was that happier, or not? I guess not. Sorry for the maudlin post, y'all. It must be hormones. :(

Friday, January 25, 2008

Insert witty title here.

I wish Josie's cold would just take a hike, already. Seriously, the poor girl's nose has been leaking for almost a week straight now, and it's red from all the wiping. :( On a good note, I cleaned a bit today, and managed to change sheets on all 3 of the girls' beds. Lexi is upset though - I put her Tinkerbell sheets on her bed and put Taylor's old Powerpuff Girl sheets on Gracie's bed... she said, "Momma, I like the PP Girls, NOT Gracie!" I said I was sorry, but I think she's holding a grudge!!!

We've been watching lots of Project Runway reruns, and Gracie has decided that [at least for today] she wants to be a fashion designer. She saw a commercial for the Barbie Design thingy, so naturally now she's going to "absolutely die" if she doesn't get it (her words, not mine).

Josie's birthday is one week from tomorrow, and I am SO not ready for it!

...okay, gotta cut this post short. It's nearing dinnertime and the girls are ravenous! Love to all!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

So counter-productive!

I've been trying to clean, but every time I get something done, miss thing goes behind me and tears it right back up! I get a lot done, and then she undoes it for me! RAWR! So I am taking 15 minutes. I'm having a drink, checking emails, and praying for a lot more patience... and then I'll try again! I dressed her this morning so cute, in a little pink velvety sweatsuit. She wound up getting chocolate on the butt of her pants (which is odd because she didn't have any chocolate, and YES it was chocolate and not something else), so I had to take those off. Then she removed her own socks, shoes, and jacket. So now the little chicken is running around in her diapy and a t-shirt!!

Last night I sat down and tried to force myself to read the book Uglies. I've been wanting to read it for a while... but I just can't get into it. The next book on my list is a Libba Bray book, and hopefully I'll be able to get into that one. I spent several hours (as previously mentioned somewhere in this blog, I don't sleep well) working my Kakuro and Sudoku puzzles. My crossword puzzle book is full. :( After that, I dug out one of my Liz Curtis Higgs books and started re-reading it. I forgot to wear my reading glasses, as I so often do as of late. Really, if Taylor isn't here to remind me to wear them, or if Gracie doesn't remind me, I don't remember to. They gather dust on my nightstand. I'm supposed to wear them for reading and anything else I do close-up, like working on the computer... but you guessed it - I'm not wearing them now, either. I need to go back and have another eye exam... it's been about 2 years now since I had it done. I'm sure I need new glasses. It's no wonder I get such headaches.

Gracie has to wear glasses to read/write, too. She's farsighted. I also happen to think that she has Attention Deficit Disorder (which I'm trying to have her evaluated for), so she quite frequently forgets to wear her glasses. [which translates into, if Mommy doesn't put them on her face, she doesn't wear them.] ;)

All right, I guess I've loitered long enough. I need to repair what Hurricane Josephine tore up, since the OT is coming for her weekly visit today. PRAY FOR STRENGTH, Y'ALL!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Favor to ask... [feeling nostalgic]

I have a favor to ask, and it's a mighty big one. I've already told y'all that I have problems filling in the cavernous gaps in my memory re: my youth (HA! Cuz 31 is oh so old, right?). I have been begging various family members for many moons now to make copies of the photos they have of me (ANY photos), but for whatever reason, they have not done so. If any of you out there can even just scan in and email me any photos you might have of me (or of us together), it would be so amazingly appreciated!!! I have precious little to visually remind me of anything in my life before my kids came along(I have maybe 5 pictures of me when I was little), so anything would help. Comment on this post if you need my email address.

That being said, the whole reason I bring this up is because I found 2-3 pages of photos from my junior prom that I had thought to be lost forever. I've moved so many times and gone through so many life changes that it's easy to lose things along the way, and I was thrilled when I found these! (If any of y'all read this: it's pictures of me, Karen, Lori, Julie, and Jennifer - though I think the pix of Jen are actually from our Senior prom.) I can post them or email them to y'all if you want copies of them. Let me know either way! Sometimes I miss those days, and sometimes I don't. I mean, of course I miss the friendships I used to have... and those were the days before my life spiraled totally out of control and before I changed. I miss the closeness of being able to call up a girlfriend and be able to talk for hours about nothing. Then again... I don't miss the awkwardness of that time. I don't miss those kids who were unbelievably cruel to me (although some of them have emailed me since and apologized, which nearly gave me a heart attack). I don't miss the drama of it all. I do miss a lot of things, though.

If you're reading this and we used to be friends (or even just acquaintances), and you'd like to get back in touch, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can leave me a comment here, or you can email me at cliodnawrites {at} gmail [dot] com. And if any of the ladies I mentioned above would like copies of the photos I have of you, let me know. I'd be more than happy to email them.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

WOW.

I know this makes two posts in one day, but holy crap, man! I thought this was a hoax, but it's freaking true! Click on this link to read - ACTOR HEATH LEDGER DIES AT 28.

Monday, January 21, 2008

More random goodness.

I just finished reading through my last post, and great googly moogly, I was so random! I would apologize for my randomness, but if you know me at all, you know that's just me and it's how I am.

So everyone at home here is sick today. We all have these kickin' colds. Gracie and I have been snuggled together most of the time on the couch, watching Project Runway reruns while we drink our hot Earl Grey tea. Lexi has been in her room, playing video games most of the day - and Josie has been everywhere and in between. She loves going from room to room and playing with all of us at random (see, I'm not the only random person in my family!).

Remember how I asked everyone to pray for my in-laws? George's mom passed away last night, so please keep praying for them.

Will post more when I feel better. Right now my head go asplode. (Explode, translated for those not familiar with quirky net spellings) :)

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Man, I'm old!

My stepdaughter and I were talking today (we talk to her every Sunday), and I made the comment at some point that I was losing my memory in my old age. She laughed her little rear off at me (I'm going to do some serious finger-wagging at her when she gets here!), but the comment got me to thinking. I really don't have a lot of memories of anything - from my childhood on up. The first memory I really have is from when I was in the 3rd grade, and my mom [adoptive grandmother] had just had a heart attack. I remember the cruelty of the comments made by my teacher (authority figures should never abuse their position the way she did - it made me mistrust teachers for a long time), and the cruelty of some family members that was completely unnecessary for a kid whose entire life was lying in a hospital bed. After that, I have some scant memories of elementary school... and a few scattered remembrances from high school... a bit of college... I swear, I'm not on drugs, and haven't been. I know this can't be normal that I don't remember as much as other people do. I mean, Jason can remember TONS of stuff from his childhood on, and so can his sister, and their mom, and so on and so on. I seriously am probably one of the most forgetful people you've ever met. Maybe that's why I've acquired a touch more of OCD than is probably healthy for me... I'm no Monk, but I'm getting there. It's kind of scary, actually. I have organized my kids' toys in bins, and put photos of the contents on the outsides of the drawers so we ALL know what's in there, and what goes where. I'm the same way with my scrapbooking supplies, and I've gradually become more anal about my kitchen. If I had the money, there would be so many shelves and plastic organizing containers in this place that it would look crazy (or crazier than it does now, anyway).

Does anyone else watch American Idol or Project Runway? Gracie watches both with me, which cracks me up. :) I love AI. Hopefully I'll get to go to the concert at the KY state fair again this year.

I took Josie out to Portrait Innovations for her 2 year old pictures Friday, and as I was carrying her across the parking lot, I slipped on ice and fell on my right hip. I have a huge bruise on my right ankle (I scraped it), and a bruise on my hip, but thankfully Josie was unscathed. She was frightened, but all right.

Speaking of Josie... I'm having a party for her birthday for my side of the family at my apartment, which ties back into the OCD thing... I have to vacuum/dust/scour/disinfect everything in this godforsaken place before I allow others in to view my madness. Just the thought of the amount of work I'm going to have to accomplish in less than 3 weeks makes me feel like hyperventilating!

Okay, taking a deep breath and moving on... my father in law's mother is in the hospital and doesn't have much time left, so please send your thoughts and prayers their way. They are magnificent people (my in-laws), and it hurts to see them go through this.

Quick side note: OMG I AM HATING the Superbowl teams right now!!! The Giants just beat Green Bay... Favre was so close! (You were wrong, Dad! HAHA!) ;)

Anyway... that's all for right now. I'm going to head to bed now, because I have a massive cold that's kicking my behind all over the place. Love to all.

P.S. - I sent out emails for invitations to Josie's party. If you didn't get yours or would like to come, let me know. All are welcome!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Sick girl.

Gracie is at home sick today. Poor baby hardly ever gets sick, but when she does, it kicks her little skinny minny butt. :( She's upset because today was the 100th day of school and she wanted to be there for all the hoopla, but she didn't get to. In the meantime, she's watching the tivo'd episode of American Idol and last week's Project Runway (She's big into fashion and does her own designs as well).

Love to all.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Cats v. Dogs - funny!

A friend of mine posted this elsewhere and I just had to share. The cat part made me laugh so hard that I nearly wet myself!

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am- Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm- Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm- Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary

Day 683 of my captivity:

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The audacity!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe....... for now...

Friday, January 4, 2008

Adventures in Pretzel-making!

So today, for the first time ever, I attempted to make homemade pretzels from scratch. I made the dough, kneaded it, let it rise, etc etc - and when they were done and I sampled them - utter disappointment. They weren't bad at all; they just weren't what I had been hoping for. I guess I need to tweak the recipe and experiment with it to get it just the way I like it. For a jumping off point, though, these weren't bad. Here's what the end result looked like:

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone's New Year was lovely. Ours was - we stayed in on New Year's Eve and had a family game night. We ALL played - even Daddy! We played Uno, Hannah Montana DVD game, Harry Potter Scene It, High School Musical Game, Littlest Pet Shop Game, Candy Land, Dominoes, and more! We had chocolate covered cherry cookies (recipe to follow), which were devoured! SO YUMMY! And then we toasted the new year with special glass-bottled grape sodas. We watched Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers sing just before midnight. Surprisingly, everyone made it to midnight! On New Year's Day, we went ice skating! Will post pictures soon. Hope everyone's having a good year so far on day 2 - we're drinking homemade hot chocolate and playing more games!

Love to all!

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY COOKIES

* I find that it helps when you dip your thumb into the cherry juice before pressing it into the cookie. That way, not only does the dough not stick to your thumb, you also get a bit of added cherry flavor!

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 egg
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
* 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Beat butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add dry ingredients and stir until smooth.
3. Roll into 1-inch balls about the size of a walnut (larger if desired). Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Drain cherries and reserve juice. Press center of each ball with thumb. Place a cherry in indentation.
5. In a saucepan, heat condensed milk and chocolate chips until chips are melted. Stir in 4 teaspoons of cherry juice. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of mixture over each cherry and spread to cover cherry. (More cherry juice may be added to keep frosting of spreading consistency.)
6. Bake for 10 minutes.