Blog Readers

So I read a lot of blogs. (current count=136). I read mom blogs, crafting blogs, diet blogs, foodie blogs, a few political blogs, and shopping blogs.

I could NOT do it without a feed reader. Basically, a feed reader keeps track of all your favorite blogs so that you only read ones with new content. That means I can check in with all 136 blogs in about an hour, sometimes less. I love it.

I use Bloglines. It is not perfect - sometimes it has glitches- but I am used to it, and not prepared to have to move all 136 blogs to some other service. Unless someone has a really good one? I love feed readers, its what works for me! For other works for me tips, visit: http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/05/wfmw-my-organizing-secret.html

Happy Mother's Day

I had a great mom's day yesterday. First, the kids brought me "breakfast" in bed. Sadly, because I was still on the incredibly restrictive carb-deplete first week of my diet - breakfast consisted of 3 pieces of salami and a glass of iced tea. But it was delivered to me in bed with presents and cards in tow. Big Man's teachers are so creative - last week we had to bring in a old shoe. The kids decorated them with stickers and glitter and pompoms and they put a small potted pansy in it. SOOO Cute! K made me a beautiful ceramic bowl. And B made a very nice card with a picture of her swinging and me pushing her.

Then DH took all the kids out grocery shopping (thank goodness for the "cookie store"), while I cleaned the house. I know that sounds terrible - but I really wanted to do it. I cleaned out our big garden window in the kitchen and our pass-through and they look so great. It made me very happy. I also cleaned my scrapbook area (but have yet to do any actual scrapbooking in forever!).

In the afternoon I went out to do a little shopping on my own. First I hit Michael's for some crafting supplies. Next door was a Ritz Camera that was going out of business. I scored a cartridge for my color printer that normally retails for $25 for $5.25!! THEN I went to Goodwill, scored 5 shirts, 2 sweaters, 2 skirts, 2 cute belts (one NEW with tags), and pair of sneakers for Big Man for....(wait for it)......$15.75!!!! The guy at the checkout asked if I was a mom. When I said yes, he said, "$15.75 for all of it." I was like, what??!! He said, yup, mother's day special! Not sure what that was about - but YAY!

When I got home the kids and I hit the porch and front yard to plant some flowers I had bought - and them some bubble-fun. K had got a bunch of fun wands for her bday and so we had a blast.

MIL & Grampy came over for dinner of hamburgers on the grill and some bridge. Big Man liked showing Grampy how to blow bubbles - "GRAMPY - FIRST YOU DIP, THEN YOU BLOW!!" All in all really a fabulous day. Some time to myself, great bargains, and fun with the family. What more can you ask for?

I've Got a Crush On You

I admit it...I love Michelle Obama. Really, I do. I really can't understand why she is not my best friend!

Seriously though, I am obsessed with her fashion sense. With the exception of her inaugural night dress (which i HATED) - I love everything she wears. I also love her arms and am working to get something like them (in my dreams). Since she has become First Lady, I now own probably 6 cardigans in various colors and sleeve length. I also own the dress she wore on the cover of Essence. I covet all her cool brooches and pins, and have tried to wear more stuff like that on a regular basis. I also just bought the book Michelle Style, with pictures and descriptions of her iconic looks. I regularly read http://www.mrs-o.org/.

I love everything she stands for and supports too, but this is just focusing on the clothes. I have yet to see her in person here in DC..but I have high hopes. Just call me a lazy stalker.

and I run...I run so far away

So this weekend I did 2 5ks. I do not recommend this unless you are an actual serious runner. I run 2-2.5 miles a few times a week on a good week. But this weekend there was the Race for Hope in DC. I have a colleague with a brain tumor, so I started a team with my office for that one.

On Saturday, K had a fundraiser for her school. We missed it last year, so I had promised her we could do it this year. The good thing was that we walked most of that one. The kids all took off from the school at a full out run. The parents were all jogging behind. After about 6 blocks the kids were all walking. I caught up to K, and suggested we run slowly. She wanted to walk. So we walked about 1/2 mile..then I got her to run for about 1/2 mile. Then she walked the rest of the way. The last 1/2 mile I had to pretty much drag her. I could barely even get her to run past our house (only a few doors from the finish line) so DH and K's siblings could cheer for us. But it was fun. And K thinks I am nuts for running that far ever.

Sunday's race was fun. It was raining - kind of a lot. But it was still inspiring and fun cuz we had about 18 people from my office do it too. I missed my goal time by 9 seconds. I finished in 40.08 - I really wanted to finish in under 40. I blame it on having to tie my shoes about 1/2 mile in as they came completely untied. (I'm sure it wasn't walking the block in the middle).

Oh well. The good news is that this weekend also signifies my renewed efforts for weight loss. Since last summer I have lost about 40 lbs. But I am now getting into some bad habits again, so I am recommitting. I will again do the Crack the Fat Loss Code plan - which is high protein, low carb, low fat. I will commit to working out at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Plus some Wii Fit on the side. My goal is 10 more pounds before our beach trip in late June/early July.

Funny Meme

I don't do a lot of memes, but I thought this one was funny. Found it on Brownie Points.

• metal or non-stick? - non-stick, mostly.
  
• cast iron or stainless? stainless, mostly.
  
• cutting board: silicon or wood? wood is my preferred. Don't tell me about germs, don't want to know.
  
• knife: carbon steel or stainless? stainless - cutco!
  
• Kitchen Aide or hand mixer? both! Love my kitchen aide, but sometimes whip out the hand-mixer too.
  
• cooktop: gas, electric, induction? electric. I know I know
  
• side-by-side, freezer on top, fridge on top? Freezer on top, and separate stand alone upright freezer in the basement.
  
• apron or whoops? whoops. Although I LOVE these aprons (mother's day is coming up!)
  
• mashed potatoes: by hand, ricer, or mixer? mixer
  
• sandwich or wrap? hmm...not a big sandwich/wrap person - going with sandwich
  
• pb & _________ ? ick. pb is only good in cookies or candy with chocolate heavily involved
  
• pancakes: syrup or applesauce? ewww...no pancakes - waffles with syrup or strawberries and cream
  
• cake: scratch or mix? mix - although I love me some mix dr
  
• chili: beans or no? - NO
  
• napkin: cloth or paper? paper ( i know, environmentally bad!)
  
• BBQ: takes the whole weekend to make or take out? both! love take-out, love ribs when DH makes them from scratch!
  
• chicken: white or dark? white (although I am ok with dark meat turkey. Strange...)
  
• ice cream: cone or dish? cone - but cake cone - no sugar.

how 'bout you?

She's Growing Up

So I mentioned that K turned 7 last weekend. I took her on Friday for her annual checkup. After the normal stuff (yes, she is still super tall, everything looks great) the Dr mentioned that the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending kids get a Hepatitis A shot (I think it was). But it was still optional. She gave me the literature and we talked about it, and I decided ok. But I had told K that she didn't have to get any shots at 7.

So I told her that she would have to get it this year or next year (and the following, since it is 2 doses!), but she could decide. Did she want to get it immediately - or wait until next year. I figured she would say next year, to put it off as long as possible. But no, she said now. She said she didn't want to worry about it for a year, so she'd rather just get it.

SOOOO MATURE! Both me and the Dr were shocked. My little girl is growing up.

Birthday 3 Ways

Who gets three birthday parties? K, that's who. She turned 7 on Saturday. First, we had her school party. 8 kids (plus our 3) for a "Fun Pajama Party" - K insisted it had to have the word 'FUN" in the title. I tried to tell her that "party" implies "fun", but she would have none of it. The party was during the day, but she wanted all the kids to wear pajamas. (Probably part of her road to therapy because I don't let the kids wear pajamas downstairs in our house. If you leave the level with all the bedrooms, you must have clothes on - unless its Christmas or you are sick). anyway...

We had a sleeping bag relay race (grab a pillow bear and teddy, run to the sleeping bag, get in, make at least 3 fake snores, get out drop stuff along the way, switch off to teammate), and the kids decorated pillow cases. We also played High School Musical Twister Moves and played in this giant inflatable sports arena thingy we put in the front yard. K doesn't like cake, so I made this ice cream concoction - mixing vanilla ice cream with gummy bears. The "people" are Vienna Fingers and the "blanket" is fruit roll ups. its supposed to look like a sleepover.



Fun was had by all (clearly because they were told to have "FUN"). Then we had to drive like maniacs to K's 1:30 soccer game (which began 1/2 hour after her party ended, and was scheduled just days before the darn thing).

Then, just a few hours later, we had a party with our friends and their kids (who K likes to call her "cousins" since she has known them since she was born). (is it just me or am I using an inordinate number of quotes in this post??!!) Lots of playing in the sports arena thingy and more ice cream.

Then today, DH and I went to her school for her classroom party - complete with Jello cups for all. I think her teacher thinks we are a little nuts.

Finally, the birthdays are over. She is 7.