I want candy...

At some point last week I got an e-mail from my son's homeroom mom about teacher appreciation week. My district does their own teacher appreciation without the seal of approval from Hallmark. I knew it was coming up and last night I had a panic attack because I couldn't find the e-mail anywhere and knew I signed up to treat the class teacher and music teacher. Smashed Peas and Carrots to the rescue! I had most of the stuff on hand to make these super delicious (and definitely not low cal) twix bars.



For her easy to follow recipe & pictures, go here. Seriously, go there now, they are that delicious! They weren't as hard to make as I thought (and I can make some huge errors in food prep) and they made great sweet treats for the teachers--- I even took them to my campus for some teacher lounge love!

In other news, I turn 32 in a few short hours and have no idea what my plans are... dinner? drinks? crafty time? making a new things to do list? Any suggestions for celebrating 30 the 3rd time?

The rest of the story...

Obviously the birthday morning didn't go as planned. The rest of the day? It seemed to improve.

The sheriff's dept sent the crime scene techs to process my car. A nice dose of fingerprint dust really adds validity to the whole experience. They found three prints, one of which I'm quite confident is mine. I have a case number, and am now officially a "complaintant". The deputy told me that over 20 cars were burglarized on my street. Looks like our quiet little neighborhood needs to step up the neighborhood watch.

The young un was bored for the greater part of the day, having been confined to the "sick room" for 4 days straight, so I set about looking for boredom dusters. I finally caved and handed over my laptop for a visit to webkinz world. It gave me a chance to curl back up in bed, which is what I wanted to do from the moment I left that morning.

Birthday dinner was chosen more for it's obnoxious birthday song and variety of menu than any other attribute, so off to TGI Fridays we went. (Keep in mind this is a Tuesday night in a half full restaurant.) I would like to take this time to let you know that The Mr and I have very close birthdays, and he takes great joy in the fact that for a week and a half, we are the same age. So great is his joy, that he shares this fact with everyone. For example:

Waitress: "How are we tonight?"

Mr: "Older. At least she is."

Such a comedian. Since it's my birthday, (and since I was teetering dangerously close to the breakdown ledge) I decided to order a mojito, which comes with a lovely shaker to re-fill my glass. Then we waited. and waited. and waited. because the waitress forgot to put in our order. 50 minutes later we finally get our meal. She felt bad, especially since it was my birthday, so she ordered me another mojito (final count was 5 mojitos). The Mr, who is quite the stickler for customer service, finally flagged down a manager to express his disappointment with the service. The manager picked up the tab for dinner, which was now going into an hour and half. Since it was getting late, and I was getting rather chatty, we headed over to Cheesecake Factory to pick up a yummy birthday treat.

Hello, chocolate coconut cheesecake goodness!
Oh, and it's not a birthday without presents... you know, the ones you'd never buy for yourself? From the young un, I got the last issue of Craft magazine. He knows the way to his mom's heart. From the Mr, I got a lovely pair of Santa Cruz Crocs. I've been eyeing them since Christmas. And from the cat, I got a snuggie...so she can snuggie with me. Don't think I won't wear this to those early morning baseball games.

From my in laws I got a Barnes & Noble gift card... already scoping out a good Spring Break book. And, from my mom, a pair of Fleur de lis votives (and a punch bowl that was too big to mail).

So, a yummy birthday dinner and a fun night with my two favorite guys helped improve my birthday spirit. I'm still considering a complete re-do on the weekend though. Especially since I'm at home again with the young un who just can't seem to shake is cough. Final verdict: bronchitis.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes this week! They made me smile in the midst of the chaos!

If this is what 31 is like....

then I'd just like to stay 30. Seriously. Your birthday is supposed to be a wonderfully special day right? Well, let me run down my first 6 hours. Wake up, shower, get shampoo in my eye, which leaves it a little red. Put on my sweats and t-shirt cause it's testing day I want to be comfy. I should mention here that the young un is still sick, so he and the Mr are still asleep at this point in my morning. Go downstairs to open a birthday card from the in-laws (Thank you!) and a package from my mom (Love the votives!). Excitement no? Stay with me, here's where it gets good.
Get in my car and notice the odor of cigarette smoke. Look around in confusion. Decide the neighbors must have been smoking near my car. Start the drive to school. Notice my GPS is gone. Begin to freak out. Have an asthma attack from the smoke. Call the Mr in a full on panic. Call the neighbors to have them check their car. Cough uncontrollably while searching for an inhaler. Arrive at school. Track down number for Sheriff. Get testing materials. Still coughing uncontrollably, plus sweating from the inhaler. Call sheriff, but explain that I'm administering a test and can't file a report right away. Give test/stare at kids for 3.5 hours. Wait for sub to arrive so I can deal with police report and sick kid. Come home to new garage door so I don't have to park in the driveway anymore. Grab a bottle of wine and a lunchable. Remember that it's only 1:00. Put the wine back. Get a chocolate bar. BREATHE!
I don't even want to think about what the rest of the day has in store for me.... but it's going to take lots of chocolate to get through it.

Another one bites the dust..

In honor of my 31st birthday, here are 31 things I hope to accomplish this year:

1. Learn to quilt.

2. Visit a new city.

3. Visit a new country.

4. Make a piece of jewelry.

5. Paint a room in my house.

6. Paint the kitchen cabinets.

7. Do 5 real pull ups in a row.

8. Complete a 5K.

9. Volunteer.

10. Take a class (cooking, sewing, cardmaking, guitar)

11. Learn to applique.

12. Have a movie marathon with the young un.

13. Lose 10 pounds.

14. Try 10 new recipes.

15. Go to a concert.

16. Make more soap.

17. Make friends with my sewing machine.

18. Hang curtains in the bedroom.

19. Go to a festival.

20. Swim in the springs.

21. Finish vacation scrapbook.

22. Complete one workout Rx.

23. Spend a day in bed.

24. Go to an Astros game.

25. Go to a Saints game.

26. Learn photoshop.

27. Plan a girl's weekend.

28. Beat the young un at guitar hero.

29. Make a placemat bag.

30. Go to Seattle.

31. Have a "dress up" date night.

So there's my list for 31. It definitely snuck up on me this year. Not as much fan fare as 3-0, that's for sure.

Millions of Peaches.... Day 2 & 3

Saturday started with the parade. I did consider doing the 5k, but I'm still in PT for my knee and my therapist wasn't exactly overjoyed with that idea, so I applaud all those who sweated it out in the early morning heat. The only sweating I did came from just siting in the sun waiting for the parade to begin. I must say I was disappointed in the turn out... the crowd didn't seem as large as it has in the past. We however, were there in full force. Here's our parade crew:

The boys scored big time with the candy and cups... though mom took a now or later to the eye.

After the parade we meandered our way through the arts and crafts booths. Such cute stuff. I could have easily spent my paycheck in there, but managed to keep it under control for my new floors! There was plenty of jams & jellies, dips & salsa and ice cream to be found. I loved the cupcake stuff by Randi Anderson. She has such cute things...I will definitely be ordering some gifts from her!

We pushed our way through the sweaty mass of people and slipped a way for a late Father's Day surprise: bloodhounds! Will loved the puppies, unfortunately they can't come home yet. This is Maggie:

And her brother Woodrow:

Saturday night was more music in the park. Asleep at the Wheel is Texas swing at its best. Such an entertaining group to watch, they played a little bit of everything. We really enjoyed them. Even Will put away his DS for the evening... well for a little while :)

Sunday found us once again, back at the park, this time for the pet show. Marty and I used to enter our pets when we were little, so I thought it would be a good chance for Will to show off his favorite dog, Roxie. We entered her in outstanding dog and in the best costume (statue of liberty). He was quite upset that she didn't win anything. His final comment: "What's wrong with them? Don't these people like freedom?"

Today is my mom's birthday, but we took her to dinner Sunday night so I could celebrate with her. I love you mom! Hope you had a fabulous birthday! Here's almost all of the family at Chili's: