I rarely give tips because I think mine are all things people already know. I also kind of feel pretentious. Whenever I've told friends any of these things. though, they loved them. I'm sharing . . . don't call me pretentious.
- Credit report: Please, please, please tell me that you know you're supposed to check up on your credit. I know there are a lot of catchy commercials telling you where you can check yours and sign up for a service with a fee. By law, you're entitled to one free credit report per year. I tend to do it around my birthday, just so I won't forget. Click here to check yours.
- dryer sheets: Yes, I use them. I don't feel like I'm totally destroying the environment, though because once they've been used, I save them in a bucket we have for Badger. We use those sheets to dry him off if he's been out in the rain, wipe his paws, or just wipe him down for a little freshening. My puppy smells like lavender & vanilla.
- more dryer sheets: I also use dryer sheets for more than just the dryer. I have a few in my linen closet to keep towels and sheets smelling good. I also place one or two in suitcases whenever we pack. Those are left in there after the suitcases are put away to keep it smelling all nice. Yeah, I'm a little obsessed with nice smelling things.
-text google: no one uses this anymore because everyone has a iPhone, but when we first moved to Arizona, it was sooooo handy. If you text the name of a place and the zip code to GOOGLE, they text you back with the address and phone number. I didn't know all the zip codes around here, so I'd just text mine and it would send me the closest location. I can't tell you how great this was for me living in a new city.
I could write a book on the million uses for sandwich/snack bags, but I'd rather not get into that now. That's all for now.
feeling: like I need to catch up on sleep
listening to: The Bravery (Tyrant)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
the last series
I finished Breaking Dawn sometime last week. If you still haven't read any of them, you should. It's worth reading the whole series just to be able to read the last book. It was my favorite of the series.
That said, I think this is the last series I'm going to read. Maybe it's because I'm a huge dork, but I make an emotional investment into the series books I read. Then they finish I'm left feeling like I miss my friends. I hate that feeling. I had Harry Potter withdrawal and now I'm feeling like I didn't get enough Edward. Even Jacob grew on me and I'm now feeling like I want to know more about what happened after the books finish off.
I also made the mistake of finishing the book without having anything new to read. I hate that too. I looked up some recommendations and have started reading Map Of The World. It makes me feel pretty horrible and that's the kind of book and movies I like best. I also have another book ready for when I finish this one.
It's that time again . . . any books you'd recommend. What's the one book you tell people they should read. Keep in mind that I like feeling horrible. Think The Kite Runner or House of Sand and Fog. At the same time, I didn't realize I like wizards or vampires until I read about them. Give me your recommendations, please.
feeling: LOVING this rainy weather
listening to: 30 Seconds to Mars (From Yesterday) <-- I constantly have this song in my head now because of the book I'm reading
That said, I think this is the last series I'm going to read. Maybe it's because I'm a huge dork, but I make an emotional investment into the series books I read. Then they finish I'm left feeling like I miss my friends. I hate that feeling. I had Harry Potter withdrawal and now I'm feeling like I didn't get enough Edward. Even Jacob grew on me and I'm now feeling like I want to know more about what happened after the books finish off.
I also made the mistake of finishing the book without having anything new to read. I hate that too. I looked up some recommendations and have started reading Map Of The World. It makes me feel pretty horrible and that's the kind of book and movies I like best. I also have another book ready for when I finish this one.
It's that time again . . . any books you'd recommend. What's the one book you tell people they should read. Keep in mind that I like feeling horrible. Think The Kite Runner or House of Sand and Fog. At the same time, I didn't realize I like wizards or vampires until I read about them. Give me your recommendations, please.
feeling: LOVING this rainy weather
listening to: 30 Seconds to Mars (From Yesterday) <-- I constantly have this song in my head now because of the book I'm reading
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
shower envy
Things you must know before I go on a rant . . .
1. I have a friend that is pregnant. (Well, I have a few, but this one is the one I'm posting about).
2. Another friend of ours offered months ago to host the shower.
3. Shower throwing friend hadn't mentioned anything else about the shower which is supposed to be coming up soon.
4. Another friend got concerned and wondered if there was going to be any shower at all.
5. We met at my house to offer help with the shower and see what the deal was.
6. They decided that we would each be in charge of something for said shower and divided up the responsibilities.
7. I hate it.
Why? Why? They hate me, really. All I want is to throw a nice, pretty, MATCHING shower. I want a theme. Is that really too much to ask for? For now, it seems the theme is "stuff". There's sooooo many different things going on. The nursery is going to be pink, green, and dots and each color. I figured we could make everything those colors. That's not complicated, right? They don't want to give out invitations or favors because "it's only going to be a few of us". I'm serious! I thought I was going to faint when I heard that. I insisted on invitations and now I'm also doing the favors since I'm the only one that wants to give them out. -sigh-
Here's my question and please tell me what you would do . . . do I just go along with it and be unhappy with the non-theme, do my part as pretty as I can and shut up or do I say something, pretty much tell everyone that I'll be in charge of everything and end up going over board and possibly stressed out to put everything together in a couple of weeks?
Here's what I'm wishing . . . .
1. I have them over again, go onto Jenn's page and Nanette's page and show them how a shower should look like.
2. That I would have mentioned it first and just made the shower myself.
3. That my friends don't find my blog. Heh, heh.
feeling: frustrated
listening to: The Airborne Toxic Event (Sometime Around Midnight)
1. I have a friend that is pregnant. (Well, I have a few, but this one is the one I'm posting about).
2. Another friend of ours offered months ago to host the shower.
3. Shower throwing friend hadn't mentioned anything else about the shower which is supposed to be coming up soon.
4. Another friend got concerned and wondered if there was going to be any shower at all.
5. We met at my house to offer help with the shower and see what the deal was.
6. They decided that we would each be in charge of something for said shower and divided up the responsibilities.
7. I hate it.
Why? Why? They hate me, really. All I want is to throw a nice, pretty, MATCHING shower. I want a theme. Is that really too much to ask for? For now, it seems the theme is "stuff". There's sooooo many different things going on. The nursery is going to be pink, green, and dots and each color. I figured we could make everything those colors. That's not complicated, right? They don't want to give out invitations or favors because "it's only going to be a few of us". I'm serious! I thought I was going to faint when I heard that. I insisted on invitations and now I'm also doing the favors since I'm the only one that wants to give them out. -sigh-
Here's my question and please tell me what you would do . . . do I just go along with it and be unhappy with the non-theme, do my part as pretty as I can and shut up or do I say something, pretty much tell everyone that I'll be in charge of everything and end up going over board and possibly stressed out to put everything together in a couple of weeks?
Here's what I'm wishing . . . .
1. I have them over again, go onto Jenn's page and Nanette's page and show them how a shower should look like.
2. That I would have mentioned it first and just made the shower myself.
3. That my friends don't find my blog. Heh, heh.
feeling: frustrated
listening to: The Airborne Toxic Event (Sometime Around Midnight)
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
glued to the TV
The title tells you where I've been. Better yet, I should say glued into the family room and kitchen (it opens up into the family room). We've been there since the amazing opening ceremonies and have kept up with all the events ever since. Aren't these games really, really awesome this time around?
After the games finish, I'll still be glued to the TV since the conventions are starting. Yes, yes, I'm a dork but I LOVE talking politics, listening about politics, learning new stuff about politics. I'm quite excited for the conventions. You can stop groaning and/or laughing now.
About my last post . . . thanks all for your suggestions. No, Alec hadn't complained about the amount of snack I was sending him. I made a nice compromise by sending him the same snacks I used to send only now in a little lunch bag. He loves carrying that lunchbag with his name on it. He's happy, I'm happy, problem solved.
That's my quick little post for now. I've got a busy TV viewing evening ahead of me.
Note: Brianna's math homework depends on the results of the games and medal counts so I don't feel too bad about watching. I'm doing it to help her, see?
feeling: American pride
listening to: 30 Seconds to Mars (From Yesterday)
After the games finish, I'll still be glued to the TV since the conventions are starting. Yes, yes, I'm a dork but I LOVE talking politics, listening about politics, learning new stuff about politics. I'm quite excited for the conventions. You can stop groaning and/or laughing now.
About my last post . . . thanks all for your suggestions. No, Alec hadn't complained about the amount of snack I was sending him. I made a nice compromise by sending him the same snacks I used to send only now in a little lunch bag. He loves carrying that lunchbag with his name on it. He's happy, I'm happy, problem solved.
That's my quick little post for now. I've got a busy TV viewing evening ahead of me.
Note: Brianna's math homework depends on the results of the games and medal counts so I don't feel too bad about watching. I'm doing it to help her, see?
feeling: American pride
listening to: 30 Seconds to Mars (From Yesterday)
Friday, August 08, 2008
yvett the bad snack mom
Both the kids have to take their own snacks to school every day. They don't have a snack schedule where they take turns having one kid take enough for the whole class.
Here's the set-up . . . . Alec is in school for 2 hours and 45 minutes. That's all. Not all day. There's also a list of acceptable snacks that they can take. You know, healthy snacks and such. I send the same kind of snack for both kids. Brianna happens to have her snack time at the same time that she has reading group, so it's always something small. I send fruit and/or cereal bars, trail mix, cheese & cracker packages, gummy fruit, mini rice cakes, you get the picture, right?
So I was shocked to see that the kids in Alec's class were taking lunch bags full for snack. They're taking meals for snack. I feel like a total jerk sending my child with a little fruit bar while other kids are having sandwiches, carrot sticks, fruit and a juice box for a "snack". WTF? They only have about 10-15 minutes for snack. Alec could never eat that much in that time. Plus he's already had breakfast and mid morning snack at home. As soon as he gets home he has lunch. Am I a horrible mom for thinking he'll be fine without a meal for less than three hours? (Here's the part where you tell me that I'm not horrible). They have little cubbies where they place their snack in. Poor Alec places his little snack while other kids put their whole bag. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Now I don't know what to do, again. Do I ask about it? Should I just send lunch too even though I know he won't eat it all? Do I just leave it alone? Do I make an issue of it (I mean, other than blogging about it?) If that's how it's going to be, I'm going to show up at Alec's snack time with a plate of warm fideo and a quesadilla or some chicken soup and homemade bread. I'll out-snack them all. -insert evil laugh here-
feeling: it's soooooo hot
listening to: Cracker (Low)
Here's the set-up . . . . Alec is in school for 2 hours and 45 minutes. That's all. Not all day. There's also a list of acceptable snacks that they can take. You know, healthy snacks and such. I send the same kind of snack for both kids. Brianna happens to have her snack time at the same time that she has reading group, so it's always something small. I send fruit and/or cereal bars, trail mix, cheese & cracker packages, gummy fruit, mini rice cakes, you get the picture, right?
So I was shocked to see that the kids in Alec's class were taking lunch bags full for snack. They're taking meals for snack. I feel like a total jerk sending my child with a little fruit bar while other kids are having sandwiches, carrot sticks, fruit and a juice box for a "snack". WTF? They only have about 10-15 minutes for snack. Alec could never eat that much in that time. Plus he's already had breakfast and mid morning snack at home. As soon as he gets home he has lunch. Am I a horrible mom for thinking he'll be fine without a meal for less than three hours? (Here's the part where you tell me that I'm not horrible). They have little cubbies where they place their snack in. Poor Alec places his little snack while other kids put their whole bag. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Now I don't know what to do, again. Do I ask about it? Should I just send lunch too even though I know he won't eat it all? Do I just leave it alone? Do I make an issue of it (I mean, other than blogging about it?) If that's how it's going to be, I'm going to show up at Alec's snack time with a plate of warm fideo and a quesadilla or some chicken soup and homemade bread. I'll out-snack them all. -insert evil laugh here-
feeling: it's soooooo hot
listening to: Cracker (Low)
Thursday, August 07, 2008
a post about nothing
- The phrase "At the end of the day" is at the top of my sh*t list right now. The trouble is that I hear it EVERYWHERE. Ugh, it makes me cringe.
- Brianna was picking on Alec and he told her she was the worst person in the world (it was more like "the vorst person in the vorld". He said it just like they do on this show. I probably shouldn't watch it every single day.
- I know you all know it's hot in Arizona. Duh. But it's been so hot and HUMID. It's awful. The poor emo kids walking around have their make-up melting off. I figure they're depressed enough already and laughing at them might not help, but I couldn't help it. I guess it's hard to be emo in Arizona.
- No one I know in person is as far as I am in the Twilight series. I totally pressured my friend into reading them, but she's barely on the second book. I'm dying to tell someone "Can you believe that Bella . . . . . ." I considered joining a book club but I'd hate to be the only adult there.
- It's J@nas Brother/C@mp Rock fever around here. Brianna got one of those book order sheets from school yesterday. Three of the four books she wants are about those certain brothers. That and ohmygodicantbelievethenewcdcomesoutnextweek! <-- to be read exactly like that without taking a breath. Rodrigo and I were joking about having a bunch of more babies to make a band.
- I just found out that the kids' school prohibits skulls on clothes. Uh, nice timing. Brianna's messenger bag has skulls and flowers on it. Plus several of her new school outfits have little skulls on them. They're in style. You know the skulls with a tiara and/or flowers. I wonder if cute skulls are an exception.
That's it. I know I had more things I wanted to say but I can't think now. It's way too hot and my brain is fried.
feeling: weak from the heat
listening to: Folk Implosion (Natural One)
- Brianna was picking on Alec and he told her she was the worst person in the world (it was more like "the vorst person in the vorld". He said it just like they do on this show. I probably shouldn't watch it every single day.
- I know you all know it's hot in Arizona. Duh. But it's been so hot and HUMID. It's awful. The poor emo kids walking around have their make-up melting off. I figure they're depressed enough already and laughing at them might not help, but I couldn't help it. I guess it's hard to be emo in Arizona.
- No one I know in person is as far as I am in the Twilight series. I totally pressured my friend into reading them, but she's barely on the second book. I'm dying to tell someone "Can you believe that Bella . . . . . ." I considered joining a book club but I'd hate to be the only adult there.
- It's J@nas Brother/C@mp Rock fever around here. Brianna got one of those book order sheets from school yesterday. Three of the four books she wants are about those certain brothers. That and ohmygodicantbelievethenewcdcomesoutnextweek! <-- to be read exactly like that without taking a breath. Rodrigo and I were joking about having a bunch of more babies to make a band.
- I just found out that the kids' school prohibits skulls on clothes. Uh, nice timing. Brianna's messenger bag has skulls and flowers on it. Plus several of her new school outfits have little skulls on them. They're in style. You know the skulls with a tiara and/or flowers. I wonder if cute skulls are an exception.
That's it. I know I had more things I wanted to say but I can't think now. It's way too hot and my brain is fried.
feeling: weak from the heat
listening to: Folk Implosion (Natural One)
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
gross-out eggs
By far, my kids' favorite way to eat eggs is "banana eggs". It's a pretty simple recipe, really. You take a banana, eggs, (I use three), a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a tiny bit of salt and blend everything until it's super smooth with no lumps. Then you take that mix and fry it up in a pan like scrambled eggs. They LOVE it. They have it with toast and chocolate milk and are in eggy heaven.
Me, uh, not so much. It tastes good, but the look of it grosses me out. I play it cool in front of the kids. I'm sure the last thing they'd want if for mama to be all "eww" about food. That's their job. But, really, the eggs end up looking like undercooked ground beef. Ugh, I'm getting the dry heaves just thinking about it. I'm not kidding.
Neither Rodrigo nor I like them just because of how they look, but the kids love it sooooooo much and even ask for more. What should I do? Do you think I should add some food coloring? Would having colored scrambled eggs just make it worse? Should I just leave well enough alone? I keep thinking of what to add but everything I come up with would turn it totally unhealthy (chocolate, gelatin) Should I skip the vanilla? The cinnamon? Help!
feeling: busy reading emails from school
listening to: Muse (Starlight)
Me, uh, not so much. It tastes good, but the look of it grosses me out. I play it cool in front of the kids. I'm sure the last thing they'd want if for mama to be all "eww" about food. That's their job. But, really, the eggs end up looking like undercooked ground beef. Ugh, I'm getting the dry heaves just thinking about it. I'm not kidding.
Neither Rodrigo nor I like them just because of how they look, but the kids love it sooooooo much and even ask for more. What should I do? Do you think I should add some food coloring? Would having colored scrambled eggs just make it worse? Should I just leave well enough alone? I keep thinking of what to add but everything I come up with would turn it totally unhealthy (chocolate, gelatin) Should I skip the vanilla? The cinnamon? Help!
feeling: busy reading emails from school
listening to: Muse (Starlight)
Monday, August 04, 2008
weekend wrap-up
Friday
I had been freaking out about a little white dot on the TV screen. I was sure that I'd done something that had created a burn-in and was just about to schedule a repair man to come out. Then I heard this news. Whew! You can tell which channel I watch a lot. I usually stick to three channels. I'm surprised Tim Gunn or "Michael Scott" aren't burned into my screen yet either.
Friday/Saturday
I wasn't sure whether or not to go to the midnight release party for Breaking Dawn. I did. I also took Brianna which made me think I was bordering on child abuse. She really wanted to go with me, though and so I gave in. I also thought I might be able to say that she's a really advanced reader and we were really there for her and not me. :P I was number 613 in line. Nice. The kids in attendance went all out! I loved the shirts with Team Jacob/Team Edward on them. I'd be the latter, by the way. I really wanted to take pictures of several of the shirts and outfits but I thought I'd be the creepy old lady there and so I refrained.
The rest of the weekend was spent at home. I can't believe it! It felt good to be home for a couple of days. Rodrigo and Alec seemed to be getting one of those horrible summer colds and neither really felt like doing anything. It gave me a chance to read. Sunday I pretty much lived in the kitchen. I cooked my grandma's style food which takes hours to prep (homemade sopes, gorditas, green chile, shredded beef and spanich rice).
I hope your weekend was good as well.
feeling: sooooooo tired of the humidity. I can't handle it
listening to: STP (Unglued)
I had been freaking out about a little white dot on the TV screen. I was sure that I'd done something that had created a burn-in and was just about to schedule a repair man to come out. Then I heard this news. Whew! You can tell which channel I watch a lot. I usually stick to three channels. I'm surprised Tim Gunn or "Michael Scott" aren't burned into my screen yet either.
Friday/Saturday
I wasn't sure whether or not to go to the midnight release party for Breaking Dawn. I did. I also took Brianna which made me think I was bordering on child abuse. She really wanted to go with me, though and so I gave in. I also thought I might be able to say that she's a really advanced reader and we were really there for her and not me. :P I was number 613 in line. Nice. The kids in attendance went all out! I loved the shirts with Team Jacob/Team Edward on them. I'd be the latter, by the way. I really wanted to take pictures of several of the shirts and outfits but I thought I'd be the creepy old lady there and so I refrained.
The rest of the weekend was spent at home. I can't believe it! It felt good to be home for a couple of days. Rodrigo and Alec seemed to be getting one of those horrible summer colds and neither really felt like doing anything. It gave me a chance to read. Sunday I pretty much lived in the kitchen. I cooked my grandma's style food which takes hours to prep (homemade sopes, gorditas, green chile, shredded beef and spanich rice).
I hope your weekend was good as well.
feeling: sooooooo tired of the humidity. I can't handle it
listening to: STP (Unglued)
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