Baby you can drive my car

Knocking wood so as not to jinx it, but I have had a working fridge for eight (8) whole days now! For those of you not in the know, my fridge stopped working and was repaired June 25th. It stopped working again July 3rd and just got repaired last Thursday*. You can imagine what the stuff in my fridge looked like after a month with no refrigeration. Obviously we discarded things like milk and cheese immediately, but did you know that jelly completely liquifies when it goes bad? And bad garlic smells disturbingly like hotdogs.

I had to completely empty, sanitize and restock the fridge this week, which is no easy job with two kids in tow...but let's not kid ourselves here, nothing is easy with two kids in tow. My fears were quickly assuaged, though, because Wegman's has rocked my socks this week with their super convenient car carts!

Beepbeep Beepbeep YEAH!

* If you live in Northern Virginia, and have a broken fridge, do not use Quality Appliance Repair. You've been warned. Angry letters by the dozen this month, kids.

Home again, home again

Finally, back in Virginia. Where it is wonderfully warm, and drama free.

Jigetty Jig.

Bliss.

BBQ!

A Day in the Life

For the past week, my schedule has been such:

8:30 - wake up with the kids

9 - drink coffee and eat a bagel

9:30 - sunscreen self and the children

10 - pack the car

10:45 - plop myself down on beach chair and watch kids play in the tide pools

11:45 - lay on my belly on my towel to tan my back and watch the building of a sand castle

12:45 - cool off in ocean

1 - plop myself down on beach chair and watch my kids play in the tide pools

2 - lay on my belly on my towel to tan my back and watch the building of another (bigger, better) sandcastle

3:30 - arrive home and immediately jump into the pool

5:30 - eat something deliciously grilled

7:30 - put the kids in bed

10:30 - enjoy a tasty Rita's Water Ice, courtesy of Jemma

11 - blessed, blessed sleep

I win.

Where've Ya Been?

"You don't call, you don't write..."

I know, I know. Many apologies, dear blogfans. I've been completely self bsorbed and entrenched in my own little microcosm. And trust me when I tell you that it's nothing you'd want to hear about anyway.

I know this is a rather disappointing end to my hiatus, but good stuff is coming, I promise :)

She Dreams in Color, She dreams in Red

Now I lay me down not to sleep
I just get tangled in the sheets
I swim in sweat three inches deep
I just lay back and claim defeat

Chapter read and lesson learned

I turned the lights off while he burned

So while he's three hundred degrees

I throw the sheets off and I freeze

Lately, and I know I'm not alone in this, I've had a very hard time sleeping.  Lots of tossing, lots of turning, my mind thinks about all sorts of mundane things that don't matter one iota at three in the morning.  At first I thought I was just stressed about some medical test results that were pending, and when that resolved, I blamed it on the moon.  But now the moon doesn't seem to be bothering anybody else, so I'm not too sure what it's all about. 

Lids down, I count sheep

I count heartbeats

The only thing that counts 

is that I won't sleep

I countdown, I look around

My hands are locked up tight in fists

My mind is racing filled with lists

of things to do, and things I've done

Another sleepless night's begun.

Everyone tells me "Sleep when your children sleep."  As if such a luxury was something like a switch.  I could just crawl into bed at quarter after eight when the shortlings are snoozing and go to sleep.  Now, don't get me wrong, dear blogfans, I would love to do just that.  But sleep is so elusive as of late.  And I don't know why.  I think about it.  Actually, when I get out of bed in the morning, my daydreams for the first hour or two are usually about my pillow.  I love my pillow(s).  

There's so much joy in life

so many pleasures all around

But the pleasure of insomnia

is one I've never found

With all life has to offer

There's so much to be enjoyed

But the pleasures of insomnia

are ones I can't avoid

My mother informs me that one simply "Can't just continue on like that," and assures me that I will "crash and burn," eventually.  Crashing and burning really doesn't sound like something I'm into, but at this point, I'd take what I can get.  Last night, after an excessively long day of errands, doctors appointments, dinner with the shortlings and hubbin', a drive to and from Tysons Corner in DC rush hour traffic I decided that enough was enough.  I examined a bottle of outdated prescription Ambien, and decided that the expiration date of 2+ years ago was just too much.  A good nights sleep was just not worth poisoning myself over.  So, I took two benadryl and called it a night.  I insisted that the grouchy hubbin' rub my back until I fell asleep.  I don't know how long it took, but truth be told, it didn't feel all that long before I drifted off into blissful sleep.

Oh yes, I said it: blissful sleep.  Prior to the never-being-able-to-fall-asleep drama of '09, I was plagued with the super-realistic-and-horrendous-dreams trials.  However, last night I had no such experience!  My dream, the one that I remember, was quite pleasant:

In my dream I was with my sister in the MAC store.  This was no doubt fueled by my longing gazes at the new MAC store in Tysons earlier that same day.  Anyway, so we were shopping, and there were all these truly wonderful eyeliners - ones with sparkles, and ones with big blunt tips, and ones with tiny little points, and brushes and lipsticks and I just couldn't help myself!  We were filling up basket after basket of stuff, it was like children in a candy store.  Everywhere we turned there were more wonderful cosmetic products to play with!  I turned to my sister, and asked where the eye shadow was.  A salesgirl, overhearing directed us to a separate room - one filled floor to ceiling with eye shadow.  Colors from every inch of the spectrum, lined ceiling to floor.  And blog readers, believe me when i tell you - Angels Heralded in my dream.  Choruses of perfectly pitched, exact key "ahhhhhhh" rang out in my dream.

And on that note, no pun intended, I have very high hopes for tonights sleep.  Oh, and I think I might have some underlying issues with that whole Heaven-is-a-MAC-store bit.  

Who needs sleep?

Well, you're never gonna get it

Who needs sleep?

Tell me, what's that for

Who needs sleep

Be happy with what you're getting

There's a guy who's been awake

since the Second World War

In My Daughters Eyes

On Sunday, we were driving home from my mother-in-law's house, and since we were within 45 miles of it, I made Evan stop in Hoboken for a slice of Gio's Pizza, and a sandwich from Vito's Deli.  

Since there has not been an open parking spot in Hoboken since 1947, we double parked in front of the deli, and Evan ran in to pick up our sandwiches.  It had been a while since we've been there, and a little (somewhat trashy) lingerie shop opened up a few doors down, and we were conveniently parked right in front of their giant windows.  

I spent most of the time convincing Cecilia that Hoboken was not, in fact, Sesame Street, despite her protests of how much the big brownstones looked like Sesame Street and Hooper's Store.  The abundance of pigeons, which she dubbed "Like Burt's Bernice!" didn't help my case, either.

But I digress.  After I finally convinced her that we were only in Hoboken, the backseat grew quiet.

Suddenly she piped up loudly, pointing out her window:

"Look Mommy!  It's like you!  It's like you in that store!  There you are!  In red!  Mommy!  There you are!!"

Much to my amusement and chagrin, my three year old was pointing to a mannequin in the window of the lingerie shop, who happened to be wearing a hooker red sparkly baby doll nightie, and sporting a bleach blonde wig with blunt cut bangs:

Well, if that isn't a dead ringer for me, I don't know what is.  

How to Save a Life

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

It's that time of year again, everyone.  The National Bone Marrow Registry is doing their annual sign up drive!  There is usually a $100 fee for signing up, as the bio-typing is quite costly, but now through June 22nd, 2009, the fee is waived, and you can save a life for free!

Most of you know, my mom was diagnosed with end of life stage leukemia.  Her body was shutting down, her white cellcount was over 600,000.

It is because of donated bone marrow that she is alive today.  To see me get married, to see my children born, to see my sister graduate high school and then college, all because of a bone marrow donor.

The typing is easy, you guys.  They will mail you 4 giant Q-Tips.  Stick 'em in your mouth, swish a bit, then put them in the pre-paid envelope that came with it, stick it in your mailbox, and that's it, you're done.  Just like that, you're on the registry.

So please, go sign up.  It's easy, it's painless, and you could save a life.

Cooking with Saki

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  I don't love breakfast at breakfast appropriate times, opting instead for several cups of coffee (mmm....coffee...), but I have to say that this recipe rocks my socks.  I have a striking inability to mess up all homemade banana bread, and most muffins.  My kids, however, happen to love banana muffins.  I hate making boxed muffins, as they are filled with god only knows what kind of preservatives, and you can always tell that they aren't homemade.  As with most of my favorite recipes, this one comes from a beautiful and very dear friend, Lindsay.

Normally, this would be the point in the post where I tell you to get yourself together and go to the store, but this recipe is so easy you probably already have everything on hand.  Go check, because you will need:

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/4 tsp. baking powder

4 ripe bananas

1/2 c. softened butter (not melted)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

Cream together the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs, mixing until well blended.  Slowly add the dry ingredients so as not to make a giant mess on your counter tops.  In a blender, blend together bananas and vanilla until it is pureed.  Add this to the mixing bowl, and give it a stir.  Pour into muffin tins, and bake at 375 for about 15 mins, or until muffins are a dark golden brown and cooked through out.  

Eat them hot with a little butter, and try to control yourself, because they really are that good.  

Attention Virginia Democrats!

Today is election day!  Go vote in the primary!  

If you don't vote today, I don't want to hear any bitching and moaning out of you come November when you don't like any of the candidates.  

Don't be jealous...

Well, okay, go ahead and be jealous, it's impossible not to.  I have the prettiest sister in the world

Things that make you go "Hmm.."

Given the recent finger pointing about the financial state of our country, I thought it would be fun to blog about money.  I enjoy spending money, I will admit it.  And really, who doesn't?  I tried to think of the largest sum of money I've held, and I don't think it was much (relatively speaking.)  I think I had maybe two thousand dollars in cash on me at one point when I was buying my second car.  At any rate, it's shocking to see how small two thousand dollars is when you hold it in your hand.  So much money seems like it should carry some weight to it - a hefty bundle.  So, let's look at money, shall we?

This is a $100USD bill.  Don't bother trying to print it out, that is fraudulent, and MSNBCasey can not be held responsible for your heathen activities.  Depending on the size of your screen, it should be pretty close to actual size.  H'anyway, this is the largest bill currently in general circulation:

Next we have a packet of one hundred $100 bills.  It is less than 1/2" thick, and contains $10,000USD.  Will fit perfectly in your pocket, and will provide days of fun: 

Believe it or not, blogfans, this next pile is a cool million - that's one hundred packets of $10,000.  It might not fit in your pocket, but I'm pretty sure I could cram that into the ol' Coach bag:

And now we're getting somewhere.  This is a picture of one hundred million dollars (Let's all do the Dr. Evil pinky-to-the-lips).  That is $100,000,000USD.  It fits nicely on a standard size pallet:

And now we have one billion dollars:

Next, we will look at one trillion dollars, since thats the recent drama.  For those of you, like myself, who are not of a math mind, a trillion is a one followed by twelve zeros.  And if you were to lay it out in hundred dollar bills, this is what it would look like.  Be sure to note that those pallets are double stacked:

Oh, and just for kicks, here is the national debt laid out in $100 bills

What the effing crap?

Courtesy of Amie

"One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who did not whine, nag, or bitch.

But it was a long time ago & it was just that one day.

The End"

 

Things my husband does

Just to aggravate me:

And, as if this priceless facial hair debacle wasn't enough, he walked around all day, singing the theme from Shaft.

Cooking with Saki

Hi kids!!!  Today we are going to make Voodoo Brownies.  "What a funny name for brownies!" you might think.  Yes, it is a funny name for brownies.  My favorite recipes are given to me by friends, and this is no exception.  

This gem was given to me by a lovely and dear friend who lived in Louisiana at the time.  Being a friendly kind of lady, she made a big batch of brownies for her neighbors, only to be accused by one of them of trying to put a voodoo hex on them.  And so, Voodoo Brownies were born.  It is a favorite in our house, and will be in yours, too.  So hop on that bike and head to the store, because you will need:

14oz package of soft caramel candies

1/2c. evaporated milk

1c of butter

2c white sugar

2tsp vanilla

4 eggs

1 1/4c flour

3/4c unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4tsp salt

2 cups chocolate pieces - milk or semi sweet

1 1/2c chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350F.  In a small saucepan melt the caramels over low heat with the evaporated milk. Stir frequently.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over low heat, blend in sugar, vanilla and eggs. Stir in flour, cocoa and salt, mix well stir in 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chunks and 1 cup of the pecans. Spoon and spread in greased 9x13" pan

Gently and evenly drizzle the caramel mixture over the batter to prevent large pockets from reaching the bottom of the bars. (caramel can cover entire surface )

Bake 35-40 minutes until set

In small saucepan, melt remaining choc chips/chunks with small amount of vegetable fat (veggie oil or crisco) over low heat, stir until smooth. Drizzle over warm brownies. Sprinkle remaining pecans over top, press in lightly. Cool 20 minutes, refrigerate for an hour and a half or until chocolate is set.

If refrigerated longer, let stand at room temp for 20 minutes prior to serving.

So delicious, you'll be accused of sorcery!

Amazon Strikes Again

Check out this amazon.com listing.

I know, I know, you're probably just thinking "Wow, Saki, that's an ugly shirt."  Trust me, dearest blogfans, I thought the same thing.

Have a second look, this time paying close attention to the "Customers who viewed this item also viewed" section, and the Customer Reviews.

You're welcome.

Just wanted to say

Happy birthday to my Lovely Lauren!!

Go give her birthday wishes!