WFMW: Quick Stain Remover for Work

Kristen at We Are THAT Family is the new host of Works For Me Wednesday (WFMW)... Thanks, Kristen for hosting this great carnival!!! Hop on over to catch a gazillion tips.

My tip is simple. I've improved on a tip that Oprah shared many, MANY years ago. I don't watch Oprah any more, so if she's shared this already, than I'm none the wiser... but for the sake of argument... let's say I'm the brilliant one here, okay?

Actually, a friend at work shared this tip with me. I can't take ANY credit for being brilliant.

Anyway - at one time, Oprah toted the MIRACLE! of BABY WIPES! for CLEANING STAINS! off of your clothing.

I disagree -- respectfully, of course... because after all, there IS a reason why Oprah is a self-made billionaire, and I ... well, I AM NOT. But the reason I disagree with Oprah is simple: The very ingredient that she claimed removed the stains (Glycerin) actually leaves a stain on the garment. Did you know that? Yep. A little greasy spot. I guess it might actually be one of the many other ingredients in baby wipes -- because glycerin is toted as a stain remover... anyhow... I'm just going off of personal experience of dozens of little baby-wipe stains.

A friend of mine brought to my attention the power of a wipe that has actually worked very, VERY well for me: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes.

Yep. You heard me! Clorox Wipes.

They do NOT contain bleach, and they do NOT contain glycerin. They do not discolor or stain. I wear a lot of "dry clean only" items to work. I also spill a lot of stuff on my "dry clean only" items. You know what I do? I wipe it lightly with the Clorox Wipe (or sometimes vigorously), and let it dry. It actually evaporates within minutes. Done. Clean. No stain.

I know cleaning stains off clothing is not an "approved" use of Clorox Wipes, and I know I'm not an expert on chemicals or natural "stuff" -- but it really works.

It's what works for me!

How My Work Schedule Works

This afternoon, Tina asked me how my work schedule of 9-80's works...

I actually work (8) 9-hour days and (1) 8-hour day. Our mandatory schedule starts at 7:30 and ends at 5:15. I'm at work for 10 hours total when you include lunch time. On busy days, my eyes are incredibly tired when I get home, because I am in front of a computer all day long, and reading small printouts... but other than that, it has proven to be awesome for me.

That one extra day every other week allows me to get a multitude of things done. I also am a person who has to be in bed by 9 or I can't function. I need a good 9 hours of sleep, but on the Thursday before my Friday off, I can actually stay up late (if I can keep my eyes open) and work on stuff like catching up on folding clothes, sorting stuff, organizing, etc., because I can sleep in past 5:30 or 6:00 on Friday. It totally rocks, and if your company offers it, TAKE THEM UP ON IT! Try it out and see if you like it.

Although -- I do have to add one disclaimer. My husband takes and picks Hunter up from day care. He gets off from work at 2:30 every afternoon, so this schedule works for US. He is home in the afternoon playing with Hunter, and usually fixing dinner (and serving it when I get home).

On the other hand, I have a couple friends at work who live about 35-45 minutes down the road, and this schedule did NOT work for them because the daycares each of them use close at 6:00. They couldn't guarantee that they would get there each and every day before 6:00 -- so this wasn't an option they could use.

A Long Time Coming...

Recently, my job changed schedules on me. I now work 9-80's, and I get to enjoy every other Friday off.

DUDE! This schedule SO ROCKS. I have had a huge, enormous list of things to do in my house, and little-by-little... I've been KNOCKING THEM OUT, and having two Friday's off each month has been so tremendously helpful! Working full time is NOT conducive to maintaining an organized home.

Oh, my ... but I have gotten SOOO much done over the past few months!

Here's what I've done so far (on both my free Fridays and weekends)... are you ready for this?

1) I organized my coat closet. SO GROSS. There was street grit in every corner of that floor. Not, my coats are hanging, games are on the shelf, and I have repurposed an under-used vinyl over the door shoe thingie to hold all my scarfs, hats, mittens and gloves. Beautiful!

2) I organized Hunter's coat zone. This is an area I set up for Hunter to the left of our front door, across from our coat closet (we do not have a Mud Room). He has two hooks that I hung (I just used those wonderful, blessed, removable 3M hooks -- love them) where he hangs his jackets. I placed a bin underneath the hooks for him to place his shoes in. Folks, this really works. He may not do it every single time he walks through that front door, but all I have to say is: "Honey, hang your coat on your hook and put your shoes in your bin." And guess what? He does it! Marvelous!

3) I organized my pantry. Oh, how necessary this was. It had gotten to the point where there was absolutely no rhyme or reason to how things were getting thrown in there, and it was simply driving me batty! I pulled everything out, tossed all things we will never eat because we hate it with a passion (not much there) or expired things (or things close to expiration that I would not be able to use -- like a half a box of powdered milk), and regrouped our stuff the way I like it. You'd be amazed at all the expired stuff (or close to) that might be lurking in your pantry... like 2 full trashbags in my case! So nice!

4) I organized my laundry closet. I took out anything that DIDN'T BELONG -- and trust me -- there was a LOT, and got rid of it (either repurposing, trashing, or putting in the right place). I placed an over the door ironing board hanger up and put my ironing board there, and cleaned the shelves and organized the soaps and softeners and dryer sheets, etc. Beauty, mate!

5) I organized my cabinet where I store all my glasses. All the old plastic crap came out. I made a section for Hunter's cups, organized the glasses, etc. Lovely!

6) I organized the family room. I took out like 3 bags full of toys for Goodwill, and surprisingly (not!), getting rid of all those toys really opened up the area. I'm getting ready to move a bookshelf around to make the room look more open. I'm also putting pictures in new frames and getting ready to hang them up on a blank wall this weekend. By the way... I got the picture frames at Joann's for 50% off!

7) I organized my den/craft room. It was nasty. Now it isn't. Enough said.

8) I swapped out my winter clothes with my spring/summer stuff.

9) I selected the colors for my kitchen and bought two small cans of paint to try it out. My husband wanted a tomato-orangish color. I wanted pear green. I won. I think we'll be test-painting this weekend.

10) I have started to de-clutter my kitchen with the anticipation of newly painted walls and new window treatments.

11) I organized my bedroom! I cleaned it! I threw away trash and old papers and magazines! Lots of it! I gave away lots of stuff to Goodwill! I made new window treatments! I made a new spread and pillows for my bed! Simple! Clean! Beautiful! Wonderful! It makes me want to end everything with an exclamation point! I used the new Christie Brinkley fabric collection which was 50% off at Joann Fabrics (and will be until May 2!). Some of the fabrics are organic, most of them are easy-care (washing machine safe), and can be found in the decorator fabric section.

I leave you with a picture of one side of my room ... (ignore the temporary plastic bin being used as a night table on my side of the bed -- it's ugly, but no money to replace it right now!)

I am ON A MISSION to organize my home... little by little, by little, by little. Don't mess with me!

My mom would be so proud.

Quick things I've always known (drilled into my head by my mom), but didn't really "get" until just now: 1) If everything has a place, it is easier to find -- but ONLY if you put it BACK in its place. 2) Less is better. 3) Decorate your home in a way YOU will LOVE, because it is an incentive to keep it clean and organized! 4) Once you clean and organize, keep it up -- even daily in some instances. 5) Refolding stuff to make it look nice and neat and removing clutter and knick knacks is free and makes your house look nicer!

In the next few weeks, I'll share some inexpensive decorating ideas I got from surfing around the internet.

For more tips, you simply MUST go to I'm An Organizing Junkie. She's awesome!

Garden News

It's time for an update on the garden, and a picture or two.

I'm SOOOO excited about my garden this year. As you may recall, I've already commented on how BAD my garden did last year. This weekend, we were at a friend's house for an impromptu cookout, and I found out that EVERYONE'S tomatoes and peppers did poorley in our neighborhood, but HOT PEPPERS rocked.

Last year, my sweet father-in-law and my overly-enthusiastic son planted our veggie plants in our garden strip before we had a chance to correct the soil. I suspect some of the clay choked nutrients out of the tender plants and that may be why they failed. It was our first garden, and we learned quite a bit.

THIS year, my wonderful, awesome husband built me a raised garden bed. It is a vision of beauty. And over the last month, we've filled it with a nice soil mixed with leaf compost, added some soil corrector (peat moss and manure), and finally -- planted, planted, planted. Then, I covered the tender plants with beautiful mulch to protect them from the sun and retain moisture. This weekend, we'll be putting up bunny-corrective measures.

I was NOT going to invest so much money into a garden only to have it fail again! You can bet that I'm praying over that garden. In fact, with each plant I put in the ground, I said a little prayer over it, asking God to bless this plant and have it provide abundantly for our little family.

Hunter got into the act, too. He prayed over the whole garden: "Jesus bless garden. Provide food. Amen." How sweet is that?

So, here is what I planted in my cold weather garden so far: 7 loose leaf lettuce plants (we originally planted 8 but lost one to a rabbit); 6 head lettuce plants; 4 arugula plants; 6 broccoli plants; 1 Greek basil plant; 2 sweet basil plants; 2 flat leaf parsley plants; 1 dill plant; 1 rosemary plant. We will build one more raised bed to plant 'hot weather' veggies this weekend.

I have NO idea how much produce that will churn out, but it sounds like a lot!!! We threw in the herbs for good measure. Next year, I may add a third bed and plant even more lettuce.

Next, we'll plant hot peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and summer (heat-tolerant) lettuce. Then, in August, we'll clean out the cold-weather bed (except for the herbs) and we will plant more winter lettuce, mesclun mix, more lettuce, large-leaf sorrel (looks like spinach but has a sharp citrus flavor -- very yummy!), and brussels sprouts. Most if not all by seed. I hope to have sproutlings by early September (not sure), and harvest by mid to late September to October through the mild part of winter. How exciting!!!

The only disappointing thing... we did NOT ... AGAIN ... plant strawberries this year. And I am SOOO pouting about that. Can you tell? See? I'm pouting big time!

Weird Stuff

Last week, I made a really weird purchase... and boy, do I have special plans for it, and I can't wait for it to arrive! These little goodies are vintage -- circa late 1800's to early 1900's. They are rusted. Pointy. Sharp. Beautiful. And odd. Very odd. Just the way I like it, baby!

And as a teaser ... just to rouse your curiosity... here is a picture of what I purchased -- you'll have to wait until my annual Homemade With Love to find out what I'm making with these babies!



Yee Haw!!

I went... I shopped...

I left empty handed.

I didn't find ANY cute sandals. NONE. My heart was broken. I had to recycle a pair of 2-year old sandals... which is just fine, but there's just one problem. I already saw the others. My heart was set on one of them --any of them.

But Nooooooo. Evidently -- they don't make cute sandals in a gugomgatious boat-foot size.

I'm never shopping again.

Ok, that was a little white lie. I will shop again... eventually.

Sigh. Lord forgive me anyhow.

Saturday, we went shopping for sandals for Hunter in the pouring rain and SCORED! BIG TIME. My mom bought him a pair of Ecco sandals for $30 --normally priced $63. I got them so they would fit all summer. I love this style of sandals, because it keeps them looking like little boys -- not little men. That will come all too soon! Those are his dress sandals. I did get him a pair of rubber and velcro water sandals at Walmart to play in, and I'll probably get him a pair of Keen's in a little while. Gotta save up for those babies!!! I love them because they are all-terrain shoes for tough little kids that put a beating on their tootsies. That's my boy!!! Usually, though, he only gets shoes from JC Penny's, Kohls, Target or Walmart -- so he's been spoiled this weekend!

So what kind of cuteness did you see this weekend?

Who Turned the Lights Out?

Prepare yourself to possibly be asking this question one day, because evidently, the US Electrical Grid is not as safe as we might think.

Am I the only one who is in the slightest bit alarmed by headlines like this:

• "Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated By Spies"

• "U.S. Electrical Grid Breached By Cyber Spies"

• "Chinese and Russian hackers 'could disable U.S. electrical grid at the flick of a switch'"

• "Cyberspies Penetrate U.S. Power Grid, Leave Software That Could Disrupt System"

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday morning that the U.S. electrical grid (online) had been breached by Chinese and Russian hackers, and that they left behind software programs that acted as little "bombs." They are intended to completely take out and/or compromise our power system's infrastructure. Across the country. All power.

Imagine for one moment... life without power. All emergency and security systems -- down. Most phones -- down. No traffic lights. No heat or cool air. No refrigeration. No lights. No washers and dryers. No hair dryers. No NOTHING (that's technical terminology -- if it is over your head, let me know).

And get this... In early 2008, there was a CIA senior analyst who confirmed that online attackers had caused at least one blackout in a city outside the United States.

From the Wall Street Journal: "The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war."

Wonderful. But there's more.

"Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet." Just so you know... there are 6 operating commercial nuclear power plants close to my home. Not that I'm concerned or anything... but if there IS a war, and the Chinese or Russians have control of our power grid, and they can commit all kinds of harry-carry -- nuclear leaks come to mind -- I don't want to be anywhere CLOSE to a nuclear power plant... mainly because I look bad as a bald woman.

I'm just saying!

Although, it may help produce some really, REALLY green lettuce.

Cybersecurity. Is there really any?

I Fell In Love

Don't laugh ... I really did fall in love! I'm emotional like that. But then I realized... the source of my new found love could lead to me actually... falling -- as in -- more sprains.

And we're NOT about to do that, friends! Especially since I'm still in a walking cam.

But honestly... are these sandals not the most adorable, fun, go-with-everything sandals? Can you just SEE them with a pretty pedicure? On Easter morning?????



But if you look closely... you will see a THREE INCH HEEL. THREE. INCH. HEEL. I'm pretty sure that three inch heels don't bear well with sprained ankles.

So I found these... and they go with my outfit too. I'm hoping that the two-and-a-half inch heel isn't as high as it sounds.



Cute, huh?

Although, I believe I may have to settle for these modest one-and-a-half inch stacked heel ... which are cute too, but not AS cute. SOB. It's one of the crosses my kankles have to bear.



Now I'm depressed. Especially since, with MY luck, my now ever-swollen feet won't fit into any of those shoes. AND... I'll only be able to wear ONE for a while. Waaaaaaa!

FYI -- You can pick up any of these babies at payless, but whatever you do, don't tell me if you get the first pair of sandals, as I may just flat out bawl my eyes out.

On the other hand... I may just buy them and keep them in my closet so I can gently caress the flowers. Ehem! Is that technically considered coveting? Even if I own them?

This morning, I left for work in tears. Well... not REALLY... but I was close to it.

And it is for such a silly reason. It really is. In fact, when I called to tell my husband about it, he laughed. Not at me, mind you... but still. He laughed. Sigh.

You see, the source of my sorrow has a lot of my emotion invested in it, and my heart just broke.

I'm sure by now, you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about.

Well.

Remember the raised garden bed my wonderful, talented, loving and generous husband built me? It is a thing of beauty. And this weekend, he filled it with a wonderful combination of top soil and leaf compost. I'm telling you -- it was a vision of beauty! (I may even post some pics soon!!)

I love this man.

And Hunter helped. He loves to help. Although, sometimes, his help creates just a wee bit more work for us. Anyway...

Hunter and I planted one batch of lettuce plants on Sunday afternoon. They are just beautiful. Tender, young, vibrant green – perfect. And this weekend? We were going to plant FOUR more batches of various varieties of tender, succulent, sweet lettuce plants! I just couldn't wait.

And today? I come down the stairs to leave for work and the crack-o-dawn, peered out the window to make sure yesterday's spits of snow and the cold evening didn't ruin my lettuce plants... only to see RABBITS!!! EATING MY LETTUCE!!!

Silly Rabbits! Lettuce is for PEOPLE! At least ... in MY garden it is!!!

Now to most people, the word "rabbit" conjures up wonderful thoughts of sweet, soft, fluffy, adorable, brown-eyed, floppy-eared, cotton-tailed spring-time animals.

In MY mind... the word "rabbit" is CLOSE to a swear word. Not quite... but really, REALLY close. I love the thought of providing healthy, beautiful, organic, home-grown vegetables and salads for my family. It does me a world of good to know they are getting good stuff in them. It is almost a source of pride. But I know that pride is a very bad thing ... so I try to steer away from it. AHEM.

As I was saying, those bad, wascially wabbits – they are chowing down at my family"s expense, and man! That just burns me up. I feel like going all "Elmer Fudd" on them... Be vewy, vewy qwiet. I'm hunting wabbits!

My husband promised to bring home some "construction fabric" and some stakes to remedy this problem. I'm thinking more along the lines of barbed wire and a big ol' shotgun. But then, I'm sure my neighbors would complain to... someone... anyone. I'm not sure who, though. We'll see if my husband's idea helps.

Have I mentioned how much I love that man?

So... I'm open to any suggestions. If you have them, PLEASE ... SHARE!!!

(Except for hot pepper flakes. That didn't work last year on my flowers, and it probably won't work on these gourmet rabbits – they would look at it as a tasty seasoning atop their sweet, tender, lettuce).


"Pardon me, but you know,

you wook just wike a wabbit!"

Who would have thought?

Just how hard do you think about that wonderful, glorious, perfect picture of yourself on that there driver's license of yours? Does it bother you each time you pull your license out at the bank? Do you NEVER think about it? Do you try to hide the picture with your finger?

I am willing to bet that like millions of other people... you hate your picture. Unless... you're one of the rare and few who actually like their driver's license picture, in which case I say... you're weird.

This past Friday, I had to go and renew my expired license. I had been putting it off because I had been so extremely, super, duper "busy." Actually, I just didn't want my picture taken. The lines were long. It was raining outside. I'm walking around in a walking Cam (gimping). I was NOT in the mood. But it needed to be done. And I just KNEW my hair wasn't gonna cooperate. And it didn't. Because it was RAINING. What was I thinking?

And if that isn't bad enough... when you FINALLY get called up to the counter (after 12 hours), they have everyone sit in front of the same colored curtain that looks awful with just about any color you wear ... so why bother? Then ... they make you tilt your head down... lower... lower... just a little bit lower. There. That's perfect. CLICK.

Guess what just happened? My double chin came out to wave its happy hand at the camera, and my eyes were looking up in an odd sort of angle.

Great.

I'm seriously thinking of "loosing" this driver's license.

But then... I'd have to go through all that AGAIN!

Yes. It's times like these... that special moment when the Motor Vehicle dude from heaven's knows where, who can barely speak a word of English and NO Spanish (oddly enough), hands you your new drivers license with a flourish, and as you glance down at the new picture, you realize ... with a profound sense of sorrow... that you really DID love that old picture after all.

Because this new one will frighten young children and old women.

The end.

To Paint ... or NOT to Paint

I have a huge dilemma. I need your advice.

This is where you come out from lurking on my blog to actually ... leaving a comment.

I know that's a scary thing ... but you can do it. I know you can. I see how many read this blog daily, so I should at least have 5,483 comments.

Okay. Maybe 5.

Anyway -- here's my dilemma. I have to repaint my kitchen. The kitchen melts into the family room. I'm pretty sure my husband will NOT allow me to repaint the family room, as it has cathedral ceilings ... and ... well, you get the picture. the color needs to match, and all that good stuff.

So, we also want to replace the perfectly good counters we currently have... because when we first moved in, I'm not exactly sure what possessed us, but something in a spiritual, demonic and oppressive form came over us, and MADE us select a Formica counter top that was close to teal in color with all kinds of speckle-y, squiggly, line-y things on it.

Satan made us do it.

But now, we want a different color wall, and we're finding that NOTHING except what we currently have goes with it. And I really, REALLY want a green on the walls -- like a Broadleaf or Belladonna. Not teal. A real green. See samples below...

So -- the dilemma -- should I repaint the kitchen pretty much the same color? Or ... should I paint it a color that TOTALLY does NOT match the counter, and just wait it out until we replace the counter with a neutral color in a couple months?

What would you do? Did I make sense?

Can you see how the evil one made me choose teal?

In Which I Admitt...

I have a black thumb.

And yet, I insist on having a garden again this year.

Because my husband does not have a black thumb.

Praise the Lord!

And who can resist home-grown nutritious goodness?

So last year, we had a small garden, and it did "okay." This year, I want it to do WAY BETTER than okay. Last year, we planted our garden right into the ground, but didn't rectify the soil. We purchased our plants, and before we had a chance to purchase good soil, sand, manure, etc... my sweet father-in-law planted our veggies in the clay. I'm sure my anxious son had everything to do with it.

This year, my husband -- the wonderful man that he is -- is building me two 8x4 raised garden beds, and I tell you -- I'm GIDDY with anticipation. I can't wait to fill it with good soil, manure, and sand, mix it up, and plant lots of wholesome things. One of them is built and will be filled with a good mixture of dirty stuff for planting this weekend. Hopefully, the next one will be built next week.

Last year, the bunnies ate all my green beans and my cantaloupe. That was a heart breaking thing. My peppers did not fare well AT ALL. They seemed to rot before they ever ripened. My tomatoes did all right, but not spectacular. And in retrospect, I'm thinking of keeping my garden sweet and simple. Tomatoes, lettuce, greens, cukes, Peruvian yellow hot peppers, and maybe a couple other things. I guess my plan is to focus on a hand full of things and do them well. And in the fall (late summer), I'll plant more lettuce, more greens, and garlic. Doesn't that sound delicious? Home grown garlic? Why, yes... yes it does.

It might be too late to plant strawberries... but I would LOVE to have some. We'll see how that goes.

So...

What's in YOUR garden? How are your plans faring?

Not MY Child!!!

This past weekend, a coworker of mine invited me to her adorable home for a Southern Living Party. She told me I could bring Hunter with me, and he could play with her girls and the other kids that would be there.

I love to take Hunter to places where there are other kids, because he loves to play with them and we only have one child in our neighborhood that is his age, so I take any opportunity handed to me to introduce Hunter to other kids! He is such a friendly and outgoing child – and he gets that honest. Both my husband and I are very outgoing, too. And for the most part, Hunter was a perfectly behaved three year old.

At some point during the evening, the other kids (three girls and one boy – all cousins), went and changed into their pajamas – the girls all had on pink little shorts and matching tops for pajamas – cute, cute, cute. After a quick fashion show, they ran downstairs to play while the adults stayed upstairs to pour through the catalog and finish up our snacks.

And then it got ugly.

All of a sudden we hear squealing, and the little girls running up the stairs saying, "Mommy, there’s a naked BOY downstairs."

Now, all the other kids were first cousins – so you just KNOW that if one of them were naked, they would have said their name. But NOOOOOOoooooo. They said "boy" – and I immediately knew. A mother just knows these things.

My child was the "naked boy" they were referring to. It's what all mother's live for. An announcement to the world that their child is a stripper.

I flew down those stairs to the rec room -- I went as fast as a crazed woman with two sprained ankles could possibly go. Sure enough, the sight that met my eyes was my naked child dancing around at the bottom of the stairs... laughing and having a grand time ... as all the other moms congregated at the top of the stairs -- laughing hysterically. And when I say naked, I MEAN NEEEHH--KEEEED.

Fortunately, none of the children were over the age of 4, and none of them had any singles in their pajama pockets. Dude, you KNOW I bought one of the more expensive things that night to try and "make up" for my kid's embarrassing romp.

What a great first impression.

I'm praying this doesn't set a precedent for when he goes to pre-school in the fall... especially since we’re hoping to get him into a Christian pre-school! Lol!!!

Isn't that just precious?

THIS is how rumors get started!

Let me just begin by saying... I must be the MOST paranoid person in the entire universe. And curious. Although, I'm pretty certain some would call it nosey.

Last night, my husband told me he had to stay after church for worship practice and he would catch a ride home with the Pastorman. That news brought mixed emotions, because on one hand, I was happy to go home, as I was tired from a long, long day... but on the other hand, I would have to drive using my LEFT foot, and after having been on both of my feet all day long, and having to drive with my left foot all cockeyed, both my "kankles" were killing me. I did not feel like driving home and putting Hunter to bed alone. But I did anyway.

We got home around 8:45-ish, and by the time our night-time routine was done, Hunter was getting into bed at 9:30. My husband still wasn't home, which isn't at all unusual, but I was so tired and didn't feel like waiting up. So off went all the lights. I couldn't remember if he had his extra set of keys with him, so I left the front door unlocked. I was just about to crawl into bed when I heard what sounded like a big truck. Then I heard a sound like a metal rolling door being opened.

So I peeked out the window, and saw a big rental moving truck in our neighbor's driveway.

How odd. A moving truck -- at 9:30 pm. In my neighbor's driveway -- who is from South America. Bolivia, I think. And the people I saw on the driveway did not look Latin, except for one.

Warning bells started ringing in my brain. My imagination kicked into high gear. Someone must be robbing my neighbor. I was just getting ready to hobble over to get the phone and call the cops, when instead of LOADING the truck, someone climbed in and began UNLOADING the truck. How odd. They were tossing out small bundles to someone.

And I started thinking. Are they really from Bolivia? Or was it Colombia? Neighbors from Bolivia or Colombia -- South AMERICA?!? It MUST be drugs. It LOOKS like bundles of marijuana! And I’m home alone with my three year old -- with the front door unlocked -- and I am incapable of tearing myself away from the window because the curiosity?? Oh, it is KILLING me. I MUST LOOK. But, should I call the cops?

As soon as that thought crossed my mind, the person jumped out of the back of the truck, closed the roll-door, and the moving truck left. I strained to see if I could detect any more movement, but there was none, so I reluctantly released the blinds and laid down in bed -- heart pounding in my chest. My husband came home about 5 minutes later and listened patiently to my recap of events.

And then, my ever so cautious husband informed me NEVER to get involved in something like that. Do NOT call the police if I should happen to see them moving drugs again. If they are moving drugs, they will get caught, and we do NOT want to be the whistle blowers.

Which made a whole lot of sense to me.

And then he told me that the local NEWSPAPER, which was just delivered to the neighborhood newspaper boy ... NEXT DOOR ... the one from South America ... would be delivered on Thursday.

Smarty pants. He could have just said it was the newspaper I saw being delivered. In my head, I was already abandoning our home and moving somewhere safer – for my child's sake.

Don't I feel like an idiot.

Lord forgive me anyhow for thinking our neighbors were the friendly neighborhood trafficking cartel.

Being An Only Child

I can only imagine how difficult and lonely it must be for Hunter, being that he's an only child.

When he's at daycare, it's okay. He has many friends he can play with, and he doesn't get lonely. He's well entertained, and his imagination is exercised. Soon, he'll start pre-school, and that too will be good for him. His mind will be stretched, and he'll hopefully begin to grow mentally in leaps and bounds. He will LOVE school.

But when he's at home? Or in the car? Or at a restaurant? Or... anywhere where there aren't other kids... he gets bored. He can't, or rather, doesn't play alone. He wants our full attention, wants us to play with him, interrupts us if we try to hold an adult conversation, jumps on us... the list goes on, and on, and on. We've tried to teach him to play alone, tried training him, we've even tried leaving him home alone. Okay. We haven't really left him home alone. That was just a lame attempt to be funny.

Ha. Ha.

Anyway -- imagine my joy when yesterday, he spent a good 20 minutes if not more... playing alone in the kitchen. Granted, he emptied every single one of my pans and lids out from one of the cabinets, but he had fun pretending to bake a cake, talk to it, fall on it, roll on the floor like he was writhing in pain, and pretend to die.

What can I say. He's a boy. And a drama-queen. But not a drag-queen. No, no. Let's not get THAT rumor started. Although, he did mention to the Pastorman on Sunday morning that he loves pink.

I don't think he really meant it.

Please pray that he didn't.

So, we are starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. He is slowly learning to play alone. Not alone-alone -- we're in the same room, but we're NOT on the floor pushing trains and dragging tractors around the room. We're having an adult conversation. Praise God.

Does any one have tips for this mom of one child?

I think I've seen it all...

The food world has seen many changes in the last few years... from the gourmet craze, to the health craze, to the organic craze, to the home grown craze, the natural grain craze... and these crazes aren't necessarily bad, either. Some of them have even found a place in my own home. Healthy eating, home grown veggies, organic stuff -- yep. It can all be eaten in my own home.

But today, I was watching a show on the British Network, and was shocked to hear of something new hitting the "gourmet" scene. I tell you... I was honestly speechless. And it takes a lot to get me like that. Evidently, this particular product is popular in ... well, I'm not really sure WHERE it's really popular, but at least you can say you heard about it here--at Kisses of Sunshine--where we bring all things delectable to your attention.

So... where am I going with this?

Oh, yes... the new product. Are you ready for this???

Horse Milk.

Yep. That's it. I saw it on a Gordon Elliott show... I know -- not the most wholesome show out there, but hey -- what else can you get in the middle of the day on cable?? lol.

But seriously -- people out there are actually milking mares. Evidently, horse milk has 50% less fat than cow's milk, and they say it is good for those who have allergies or skin conditions.

Personally, I think I'll stay away from it ... but since we do have cow's milk, goat's milk, and sheep's milk, you kind of had to know it was coming down the line!

Feeling a little horsey? Naaaaay!

Ick.

Get your kid to ...

I've decided to write a prolific book on how to get your kids to do all kinds of stuff ... including go to sleep at night on their own. Because I'm the master.

So.

How do you do it?

Well, first, you step off a curb and roll your left ankle. Then, step off the curb with your other foot and roll that ankle, too. Now that you have two sprained ankles and are remanded to bed, turn the care of your finicky three year old to your husband, who will have him whipped into shape, and will break all the bad habits mom created in no time flat.

And that, my friends, is how you do it.

What do you think? It may not give me the "Mom of the Year"award, but do you think it might be ... a Best Seller???

Actually, Dad certainly deserves "Dad of the Year" award, because for the most part, Hunter now goes to bed when told to, without crying too much, or demanding that we stay in his room until he falls asleep... and a mom has too gentle a heart to stop -- especially when the kid pulls out the "pleasie-pleasie??" on you.

So now, Hunter's new bed-time routine is: eat bed-time snack (usually fruit or dried cranberries), change into jammies, brush teeth and wash face, watch 1 Dora show, pray in mom and dad's room, then dad walks him to bed, kisses goodnight, and voila. Done.

Thanks Daddy for taking control of a bad situation and making it all better!

Chapter two: How to Potty Train a Lazy Child. Coming soon.

Good bye, Zumba...

And running.

And dancing.

And walking.

And all things involving ANYTHING that needs a foot. Either foot.

Friday afternoon, when leaving work, I stepped off the curb and rolled my left ankle. In the process of planting my right foot down to stabilize myself, I rolled that one too. Two sprained ankles.

Give me two, 'cause one won't do.

I went to the emergency room -- had no broken bones, fortunately. Just serious sprains. Have you ever tried using crutches with two sprained ankles? Impossible.

So, Zumba will be on hold for a while. Or two.

And my ankles will be wrapped. Both.

Lovely.

There's a reason my husband calls me Grace. Or Calamity Jane. You pick.

Zumba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not an exercise person.

I'm not really a dancing person, either.

I do have Latina blood in me. (My mom is Peruvian, and MAN can she dance!)

But, surprisingly ... I have no rhythm.

I dance like a crazy white woman.

Which is why it is so surprising that about a month ago, I ordered... ZUMBA!

In my words, Zumba is a combination of Latin dance, aerobics, and hip-hop groovy moves. Which I am NOT known for.

Here's what their website says about Zumba: Zumba® Fitness was created in the mid-90's by Colombian native Alberto "Beto" Perez, a celebrity fitness trainer and choreographer for International pop superstars. Inspired by the traditional cumbia, salsa, samba and merengue music he grew up with, Beto paired his favorite pulsating Latin rhythms with the red-hot international dance steps his clients loved and Zumba® Fitness (Spanish slang for “to move fast and have fun”) was born!

Oh, OKAY.... so, "Pulsating" and "GiBee" are not two words people would commonly put together. But, I thought I'd give it a try... because even though this klutzy white girl can't dance, she sure has the call of the Latin rhythm in her (or whatever that means).

And it arrived last night. But apparently, there was a bit of confusion, because Hunter was all a flutter because HE received a package in the mail, and HE wanted to open it. So I took him up to my bedroom and let him open it. He was all excited. Especially over the Fitness Toning Sticks. He immediately began to play the drums with them.

So, excitedly, I popped the 20-minute Express Workout DVD in. It started. I started. They moved. I moved.

I thought to myself... "HEY! I can DO THIS!"

Then they got faster. I got faster.

And still, I was continuing to keep up. I can REALLY DO THIS.

And I was excited. And happy. For ten whole minutes.

And that's when Hunter turned the TV off and declared, "I don't like this game, Mommy."

The end.

More to come later.

Peace out.

An Important Theory ... Put to test right here!

I've come up with a new theory. This theory was developed after I spent numerous days cleaning up my den and seeing my husband tote out many dollars worth of "stuff" in black trash bags.

Each time I want to purchase something, make something, commit to something, or go crazy on something... I’m going to ask myself these questions first:

1. Will it make my life crazy?
2. Will it make my either my husband or me unhappy?
3. Will it take time away from important family obligations?
4. Is it outside of my budget?
5. Will it be wasted once it is purchased?
6. Will it sit and collect dust and be neglected?
7. Will we gain weight from it?
8. If I answer yes to any of those questions, I can not do it, make it, commit to it, or go crazy on it.

I will put this theory to test right now, as I sit down to peruse the ingredients to a new and delectable cup cake recipe... EHEM!

1. Ingredients: chocolate, sugar, butter, heavy cream, marshmallow creme – My life would be crazy if I DIDN'T try this recipe.
2. Furthermore, we would be very unhappy if we didn't get to sample it.
3. It will make our family obligations so much more enjoyable if we were obligated to eat cupcakes together.
4. I have all the ingredients at home. It’s totally affordable.
5. No waste here... we would eat them. Of course!
6. Of course not... how silly – cupcakes will be eaten immediately!!! No problems with dust issues.
7. Dang.
8. Double Dang.

Theory proven.

Maybe I should call it the "Cupcake Theory?"

Disclaimer: Sorry if I offended anyone with the use of "Dang" -- it's just heartbreaking to prove my theory with those two questions.