BOO!

I had this really bizarre twitch in my right eyelid that started on Saturday morning. I thought it was odd, but dismissed it. Then, it continued ALL day and not with any breaks where it would stop twitching for half a minute, it was constant. I could look in the mirror and see it going tick, tick, tick like the little clock on my windowsill, only faster and on my face. I figured it was due to stress about the party, but when I woke up on Sunday, it was still there! All day long. Creepiest thing to be living with for two solid days. Thankfully, this morning, no twitch. I can stop pulling on my eyelid all day and I no longer want to punch myself in the face. It's the little things in life, really.

The Halloween party was a success. I wish I could say it was a raging or exciting or fabulous blastomatic par-tay, but it wasn't. The boys were fairly well behaved, but they hated my cheddar soup. Goes to show you what kind of taste they have. They loved the white chocolate eyeballs, though, and the monster toes, which were made from cheddar filled lil smokies wrapped in tortilla strips with ketchup on the end for a bloody effect. I made these awesome carvings from acorn squash so they looked like little Jack O' Lanterns and filled them with dip. I baked 16 buns to serve the soup in that most of them wouldn't even touch. I'm an idiot. A total idiot. The kids didn't care, I should have made macaroni and cheese. I did have this interesting conversation with Jack on Sunday about the party, though. He commented about one of his friends being really wild at the party which spawned a whole topic about introverts and extroverts. Jack is an introvert. I am an introvert. So is Todd, but the weiners are definately extroverts. It was difficult to explain it to him...the way people are wired differently. Jack said he feels "weird" in big groups and I told him that's why I tend to stay in the kitchen when we have large groups of people in the house. I feel safe there. I remember feeling that way when I was young but never understanding it. I hope he has a better time with it than I did. I grew up feeling like a social outcast. Ahhh, the lovely memories of youth. Ick.

My movie review of the week happens to be of Batman Begins. We watched it yesterday, the perfect thing for a rainy Sunday afternoon and I have to say this movie was FABULOUS! Partly because of the theater Todd built into our basement, fondly called the batcave. It is the perfect surround sound movie and I loved the way they explained how Gotham ended up with so many nut jobs. Todd came home from the Southdale theater when he took the boys to see it and proclaimed he must own this film when it was released on DVD, I scoffed at his enthusiam only to have my opinion completely transformed about 10 minutes into the movie. Mucho fun, and my mother said it was awful and loud and they couldn't watch it. There's your review of the week. Rent it, or come over and watch our copy downstairs.

Well, I'm off to hand out Halloween candy to the little ones that are brave enough to come to our door. I think Todd's going to be answering the door in his gorilla mask. Me? I'm Halloweenied out. After the 50th and France gig on Saturday morning (I brought the weiners in their costumes which was a BIG mistake since every child who saw them had to pet them and try to feed them their candy) and then the party at our house and then the Cub Scout party last night. Ugh. I was ready to start putting decorations away last night. Jack is at his other house tonight, so Todd and I will have a relaxing night at home with the dogs going berzerk every time the door bell rings.

Ahhhhhhh, I'll just focus on the lovely memories of youth and remember all the candy I got and would hoard until May in the freezer. Nothing better than frozen Snickers chopped up with apple slices. YUMMY!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!

Mmmmm, more Chai

Ok, my addiction isn't getting better, but at least it's not getting worse. You can only drink so many fluids before you become water logged like an old sponge in the bottom of the dish drainer, so I do have limits.

Another weekend gone, and I wish I had some remarkable wit and charm to bestow on you concerning my exciting jet set lifestyle full of romance and distant travels, but, alas, JoAnn Crafts, Sams Club, and Cub Foods were the only places that I managed to grace with my presence this weekend. Oh, I did do a very brief tour through Southdale in search of the beginnings of my Christmas List and managed to pick up a white fluffy, furry, sweater (yes, for me) that will, I'm sure, be just as popular with the preteen crowd as my pink fluffy, furry sweater is. Todd just rolls his eyes when I get dressed in the morning. I don't understand what my fascination is with the faux fur thing. It must have to do with something about feeling deprived as a child for not having more fake fur dress up clothes? Lack of stuffed animals? No, no, no, that's not it. I still have nightmares about Grandma's fox fur collar (Collar? It was a baby fox, ick!!) and Jack STILL has some of my stuffed animals I had when I was born. Since we know I am completely nuts and have no fashion sense, we'll just go with it.

I do have the Halloween Party coming up for Jack and we have 2 RSVP's so far. True to form of RSVP-ing for children parties, everyone waits until the last minute, but I'm ahead of the game! I planned for them all to come and if they don't, I am not going to stress, I'm going to eat their food! Yes, I'm making stuff I like to eat, so more for me. Muh-ha-ha!

I'm starting to feel guilty about not posting any pictures on this blog lately. Call it Catholic guilt...I'm teaching the next session of Sunday School, which means about 8 weeks, give or take, so the guilt is leaking out in all areas. I'll go find a pretty picture and post it here:
Look at the pretty Chai.

Oh! And my hopes and dreams of becoming a grandma are finally realized. I just wasn't expecting a grandson quite so...small and black:

His name is John Black, and Jessica is fighting her allergies to keep him and we wish them both well! We are still trying to arrange the first play date with the Weiners. I'm imagining the interaction and can't stop laughing. He'll take both the dogs out with one swipe of those razor sharp kitten claws! The best humor is free, really. I asked Todd if we could get a kitten and he said I could get a cat, so long as he could get a girlfriend. Hrmmmm, I'm still thinking....does she clean?

Next week, I will fill you in on all our fun Halloween Adventures and have more pictures, I promise.

Why Do I Have The Theme For Mr. Rogers In My Head?

It really is a beautiful day. I can't believe is October 17th and 70 degrees out! I think I'm getting old because time just flies by and I wonder where it keeps going. I realized Friday afternoon that my property taxes were due by Saturday. Oops! I just can't believe it's already that late in the year and I have my first parent-teacher conference of the year tomorrow. I'm sure it will be great fun with both Todd and my ex there. The excitement never stops!
Hrmmmm, updating on our lives....
We had our Church Directory picture taken Saturday...The photographer told Todd to say "Amy's always right!" So of course, Todd started laughing, so we got a good picture with a genuine smile, It will also be our Christmas picture, and a nice one, unlike last year when it looked like he was sitting on a hot poker and I'll let you in on a little secret...We were all wearing jeans and totally did not match from the waist down. You'll see it, it'll make you laugh because we looked HOT from the waist up.
Ross was with us this weekend and both the boys got to spend a bunch of time with Reed and Graham. Tim took the boys to see Wallace and Gromit and both the boys said it was awful. Jack looked at me with this really serious face and said, "Mom, it sucked." After stifling a laugh, I said, "You mean it stunk". To which he replied, "No, it really sucked." So there is the movie review of the week. I'd go into more detail, but I can't since I wasn't there.
I also discovered this weekend the secret to the crispy pizza crust at home: the grill. After being reprimanded by the family Fireman for having a grill on a wooden deck (no, Tim, it's not REAL wood, it just pretends it's real wood) we attempted to recreate the thin and crispy crust Todd so wishes we could make at home. It worked great, but it had to go into the oven for a few minutes to get the top done, which was fine since that's where my thick and chewy pizza was cooking. We also made ribs this weekend and did it Saturday night so they could cook all night long...The boys were going to watch the football game and eat ribs, but as everyone knows, the Vikings SUCK, in more ways than one. Ok, I've told this joke to just about everyone I know, but I'll put it in here on the off-chance I missed you.

How many Minnesota Vikings does it take to screw in a light bulb?

None, they screw in a yacht.

Now if you didn't get the joke, you have missed the entire scandal regarding the Vikings and prostitutes on Al and Alma's boat cruise last week, and for that, I'm sorry. It's a riot and they should all be severely fined and the money should go for the new stadium they want so bad. Or just fired, because I don't watch football and don't care. I like seeing them in trouble, tho, because they are arrogant and dense. Does that make me a bad person? Probably, but I can live with that.

Back to my interesting life, um, well maybe not so interesting...I've started working on my Christmas list for those of you I buy presents for, and so if there's something you desire, let me know NOW! Or else, I'm making it up and you have to live with my choices. We are taking a vacation the week after Christmas to Colorado, so I want to have everything done early so I can have a nice, relaxing holiday season before all hell breaks loose and we take our first road trip in the truck. Aaack!!
I'm hoping my father will watch the wieners. Dad? Do you read this?? We'll see how it goes next month when Todd and I go away for the weekend and he's got our dogs, his dog, and if he comes out as the pack leader.
I hope ya'll had a lovely week and I wish you all a happy Monday! I know, ick, I wish I was home enjoying the beautiful day, too!

Ok, the first step is admitting you have a problem...

I'm addicted to chai. There, I said it. I love it, I can't help it, and I'm drinking some right now. It's so yummy. I love the stuff I make, I'll use the bags in a pinch, I drink it ALL THE TIME. So, because I like to share, here's my recipe:
6 cups water
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cinnamon or 1 stick
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tsp cardamom seeds
1 tsp peppercorns
1/2 cup of your favorite sweetener (I use splenda, but sugar or honey work, too)
Simmer for about 5-7 minutes and strain over 3 teabags.
Serve 1:1 with warm milk. Mmmmmmmmm.
Also, on the food front, I received this free magazine in the mail. Usually I look at them for about 5 seconds and throw them out. But this one is different. It's actually right up my alley. Check it out:
http://www.cuisineathome.com/
It's awesome, seriously.
I've been making tons of stuff from it and there are no ads! Woohoo! I made the French Onion Salisbury Steak last night and both Todd and Jack LOVED it. It's my new favorite, and we all know how much I love to cook.
Oh, I feel so special! Someone from work just gave me a gift bag for helping her out so much last week. Awwwww, and it's filled with packets of Big Train Chai! I am so lucky! It's also all her fault I got hooked! Thanks, Nancy!
I promised to tell you about my Friday evening of scrapbooking and I did it, (I think there is going to be a special place in Heaven for a mom that spends her Friday nights making her son a new memory book at a church) I got 4 pages done in Jack's new baby book. He loves it and they are turning out very cute. The woman who invited me (Jan) has all this really cool punching and stamping crap...um...craft supplies. I promise not to make more than 2 books. One for Jack and one for the wedding. There, Todd, I wrote it out...no divorce proceedings required.
And not to forget about Art Adventure...we wandered around the art museum for 2.5 hours and Todd is thoroughly convinced that all of the art is stolen. He also is not a fan of Georgia O'Keefe. Personally, I think that the 600 pound piece of Jade that was "commissioned" by some emperor in China was really a way for him to display his own poetry and try to hook him up as a great poet since he also used the most famous ancient poem in all of China. But that's just me.
Ok, enough of my nonsensical ramblings. I'm off to go get the boy.

O Happy Monday

I wish I could say I started this day with a sunny disposition and a light hearted smile, but it's humid and sticky and has been for three days and my mood matches the grey cloudy sky. On the upside, I'm breaking in my new cute clogs, so it's not all bad.
Jack has earned his first "badge" for Cub Scouts. We went over all of the Bobcat stuff last night and I learned the secret boy scout handshake. I feel so honored. This is my first exposure to this kind of group...I never partook as a child so it's all new ground. There was a big part that I had to go over with him regarding child abuse and molestation and all that stuff. I think the fact that I already told Jack about the "birds and the bees" helped, but it was still kinda creepy. How do you explain to your kid that some people are just whacko's and want to hurt children? Ick. The whole thing is just gross. But he made it through it, and so did I (phew!) and he earned the badge, so we get to go buy him a new uniform with all the pretty badges. I can't decide if it's a really good thing or just really dorky. I'm still trying to convince Todd he has to wear the uniform, too. so far, he's not buying it.
We had a nice weekend with the kids. We saw Corpse Bride on Saturday...I haven't been able to decide if Tim Burton is a genius or a nutcase. Jack has been playing a lot with a boy from his class by the name of Luke. He came with us to the movie and we also went to Game Works. I'm glad he has finally found someone he likes to hang out with that doesn't annoy him to no end. Hrmmmmm, I think somehow this is my fault. Something about apples? Acorns? We hit the downtown theater and picked up our tickets for Ray LaMontagne in December. We got row 2!!! It better be really good or I'm gonna throw rotten fruit at him. At that range, I may actually be able to hit something, too.
I repainted the kitchen and yes, I did just paint it a while ago. I hated it. Now it matches the floor, so it doesn't look so out of place. I love it. Remember, I put the anal in analyst.
Thursday, Jessica had her 29th birthday. Yes, 29! I know, she barely looks legal. She's going to be 50 and look like she's finally 29. She's also convinced that she is getting dumber by the minute. I keep telling her she needs to find a nice guy and give me grandchildren. She thinks I'm nuts. Like we didn't all know that already???!! But seriously, I'd love grandkids, you get to borrow them, spoil them, and give them back when they get whiney.
Speaking of whiney...I got the Halloween decorations down from the attic (ok, it was me whining about crawling up there and no one helping because Dumb and Dumber was playing on the tv which had the lot of them transfixed like deer in the headlights). No, we don't have a "real" attic, but since we ran out of storage space last year, especially with the addition of the 3 foot non-collapsable fiber optic stacked pumpkins that we just HAD TO HAVE when we saw them at Sams Club, we have resorted to storing stuff on top of the insulation in the crawl space.
One really good lesson learned: do not, under any circumstances, store candles up there. What used to be our pretty fall decorations were turned into something that resembled a gigantic mass of hard play-doh. One of the cute little votive holders with a little black kitty on it had fused into the side of one of my tall pillar candles, looking like it had apparated in the wrong place. Poor kitty. We did manage to save him after about 20 minutes in the oven. A little frazzled, but I think he'll recover.
The foam carvable pumpkins look awesome. It's fun to see them again, we always pick the really fancy designs to do on those since we get to save them for years. I almost feel like a total cheat. Almost, but not quite. And Jack decided that, yes, he wants to have another Halloween party. I just asked him to try to keep it to around 10 kids. Not that 18 aren't a lot of fun, but the chaos we had last year had me recovering for a week in a dark room rocking back and forth non stop. We shall see, more ideas and miraculous party planning required by Mom.
I'm going back to work, stay tuned for my adventure at my very first scrapbooking meeting (yes, Todd warned me that scrapbooking IS grounds for divorce in most states) and Art Adventure year 2. This year I talked my husband into joining me. Muah-ha-ha-ha!