Preparing for Party

Saturday, February 25, 2012

The marathon Bday party for DD begins today at 330pm...that is when the spa treatment begins for 15 of her best friends...and finishes Sunday after breakfast. DS has agreed to make cinnamon rolls and waffles for them, he made the yeast dough for the rolls tonight and is keeping it in the fridge til Sunday morning. Quite an ambitious proposition for him I'm thinking. Hoping they turn out well!

I've got the infusion pitchers all ready with infused cucumber and strawberry water. Looks really good! She and her BFF are decorating the house now....quite a production! I'm picking up giant helium balloons soon that were ordered last week. All the gift bags are filled and look professionally done...she is a super party planner!

We are all looking forward to a houseful of excitement and laughter...that hopefully tapers off to a dull roar by the wee hours of Sunday so some of us can get decent beauty rest....dream on, right?

I'm glad she has so many close friends to share her special day with...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SARALEIGHM 2/25/2012 8:27AM

I hope you have a BIG house! Hahaha. Sounds like your daughter's going to have a great, memorable birthday with her friends. Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETYOUNGTHING 2/25/2012 5:29AM

what will her Bridal Shower be like!!?? Enjoy; sounds like this will make for some good memories - take lots of pictures. Report Inappropriate Comment

SALEX52 2/25/2012 1:36AM

Hope you survive! That's a lot of energy in the house. Report Inappropriate Comment

My Baby Is Fifteen Today!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Wow! How did the years fly by? Everyone says that to new parents...that the years will go by so quickly. Ah yes, wise words....all parents should cherish those times with the little ones as they do grow too quickly. Not that I don't love the young lady I am now living with...but the memories of the little tow haired toddler with chubby cheeks seem so fresh!

I am very proud of what a great person she has grown into and how many lovely talents she has demonstrated...and what a great friend she is. But to believe that she is 15? It is hard! And sweet 16 next year....impossible? Hoping she will make it through the year 'unkissed'...she is still so sweet and innocent. Hard to believe in this crazy world.

Anyway, it is her special day and the big slumber spa party will be Sat night. Best rest up tonight while I have a chance, right?

Oh my!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

YICHE12 2/25/2012 1:44PM

One year ago, you wrote about the slumber birthday party that you had at your house. It's amazing how time flies by! Enjoy tonight! Between you and me, I wish I still had those slumber parties in my house because they used to be so much fun for us all. Report Inappropriate Comment

AMYNYNJ 2/24/2012 12:52PM

Congratulations and happy birthday to your sweetie. I hope I have a daughter to have that kind of relationship with some day. Have a great Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZRAI 2/24/2012 8:05AM

Well, first happy birthday to both of you! This year I posted on my oldest daughter's facebook wall "Happy Birthday, you're welcome". She promptly replied "thank you mom". LOL It sounds like you have a fun evening planned and yes, rest up for it today. Enjoy these moments, you are right they do grow up way to fast.. (actually I've decided I am getting older too fast). As she has gotten older I tell her when I look at her she is catching up and will soon be as old as me..... Comment edited on: 2/24/2012 8:06:20 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SARALEIGHM 2/24/2012 7:59AM

Lucky you! She's 15 and still sweet. Hahahahaha. Sometime around 8th grade, my daughter moved into the horrible adolescent phase, which lasted till college. She's a lovely young woman now at 26. And I do still remember my little sweetie-pie toddler, who always brings a smile to my face. Have fun with the spa party! Report Inappropriate Comment

Prediction...Stress Levels About to Go Up!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

It is time for a refresher course in stress management. My last company (which I left 5 years ago)had some very toxic people I was glad to leave. My current company has bumbling but pleasant senior management. Frustrating to deal with but doesn't make for a stressful environment compared with other experiences I have had.

But I predict that is all about to change. A very toxic person from my past company has just been hired by my existing company and it appears he will be in my direct chain of command. I think he respects me and I might do okay with him. But I am guessing he will attempt to take out my boss and her boss and will likely attempt a coup on the GM spot within a year. It will likely disrupt the culture a lot in the process and cause much angst.

I am not sure I want to deal with it.

May be time for a resume update...not something I had planned. But one cannot be too naive in these situations. I have been around the block a few times and I have seen this movie before.

Time to get enrolled in a stress management class through my wonderful insurance plan while I still have it!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUZRAI 2/24/2012 8:09AM

Let's hope that this person was that way in the previous job because of other influences and will be different..... Polish up the resume in case this is not the case. Report Inappropriate Comment

IAMWINNING 2/23/2012 2:25PM

I agree with Saraleighm - there's nothing you can say that won't make you look bad. Yeah, I'd update my resume, too. Praying for you, Christine. Report Inappropriate Comment

SARALEIGHM 2/23/2012 7:35AM

That does sound like a scenario for disaster in your working environment. I don't suppose there's any way to warn people without making yourself look bad. No, probably not a good idea. Just remember that part of your stress management can include venting right here if things get particularly bad. That's one of the purposes of blogging. I wish you luck with this, and hope that just maybe he's changed since you worked with him before. Report Inappropriate Comment

Infusion Pitchers Have Arrived!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Because my DD is having a slumber spa party this weekend I bought 2 pitchers with an infuser in the center. The idea is that you add sliced cucumbers or strawberries, for instance, to the center piece with water surrounding and leave in the refrigerator for a few days. The fruit or veggies then infuse the water with flavor for a refreshing drink. I had wanted to try this for a while and since it takes a while to make a good infusion I thought I should buy two so that her guests can all enjoy without it running out too soon.

I figure cucumber will be awesome for the spa treatment timeframe....I always love the cucumber water when I go to the spa...and making it at home regularly will be wonderful! We are always looking for creative ways to get the kids to drink more water...I am hoping this does the trick!

So now that I have two pitchers there should be less juice in the fridge and more healthfully flavored water! I am thinking this could be a Secret of Success!

If anyone else is already doing this and has suggestions for good infusions...please share!

I have heard lemon and raspberry...and watermelon is supposed to be good. But, really, let me know of any combinations you have found that you enjoy!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IAMWINNING 2/22/2012 5:10PM

Yum! Report Inappropriate Comment

EGIRL82 2/22/2012 2:14PM

I was actually going to suggest the sassy water from the Flat Belly Diet too- it is actually really, really refreshing and this will probably sound weird but actually tastes like it's doing it's job(for the Flat Belly Diet it is supposed to act like a detox/metabolism boost). Good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

SARALEIGHM 2/22/2012 8:20AM

The Flat Belly Diet has what they call Sassy Water. You're supposed to prepare it the night before and drink the whole pitcher over the course of the next day. 2 liters water (about 8.5 cups) 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced 12 small spearmint leaves It's very similar to the spa water I had a couple of weeks ago, but I think the added ginger and spearmint leaves would maybe make it more palatable to me. Kids might like it better with some mint leaves. I haven't actually made this, but I'm thinking about it. Report Inappropriate Comment

Parsnips, Turnips, and Beets...Oh My!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

So there I was...standing in front of the organic veggie section with root veggies about to pick out a bunch of beets when I felt compelled to try parsnips and turnips. But then I realized that I couldn't pick out which was which! About time to learn, eh?

So I asked the nearby guy with the water hose (about to spray the produce) and admitted my ignorance. He pointed out which was which and I went home with all three.

I then used Meg's new cookbook and hit page 315 I think it was...for roasted root vegetables. I used beets, turnips, parsnips, carrots, and sweet peppers with a bit of olive oil and curry powder. Not exactly her recipe...but it all turned out great. Everyone enjoyed it and I felt like I had added to our nutritional diversity for the week. There are so many great nutrients in these veggies that I don't typically prepare. I'm sure that spreading our proverbial taste bud wings is a good thing.

Just wish I had started sooner! Perhaps daikon and rutabagas will be next? Why not? They were right next to the others on display. No reason I should be walking past all this good stuff and eating broccoli and cauliflower and cabbage neighbors while turning my back on the root veggies. They don't even keep the carrots with those other guys...it's like the turnips and parsnips are banished from the mainstream by their placement. But no more in my shopping cart!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRIATHLONBABE 2/22/2012 6:02PM

I love root veggies and roasting is the best way to get those good flavors out of them. I may have to try the beet, turnip and parsnip combo, that sounds good. Beets are a staple in my house, as I juice a lot. Report Inappropriate Comment

SARALEIGHM 2/22/2012 8:32AM

Eating root veggies in season is a very clean, green eating thing to do! The other night, I roasted my chicken on top of parsnips, onions, and fennel the other day and ended up with a great meal. I especially like to roast asparagus, zucchini, onions, red bell peppers, and mushrooms together with just olive oil, salt, and pepper. One thing to remember is to roast vegetables that take the same amount of cooking time together, so no root vegies with the zucchini and things like that. Report Inappropriate Comment

DOTTIEJANE1 2/21/2012 4:21PM

Good for you root veg have lots's of nutrients in them . Beet greens a so good and tender. Report Inappropriate Comment

AMYNYNJ 2/21/2012 1:10PM

Yum! I love root vegetables. I toss them with a little bit of olive oil salt, pepper and rosemary. I also use the beet greens for another dish. Sometimes I saute them with a little bit of butter or I use them the way you would kale. It turns all the food pink. Report Inappropriate Comment

CVRONEK 2/21/2012 4:55AM

I, too enjoy trying new things. I have long been a beet fan and also enjoy the beet greens! They are sweeter than spinach and so tender. I always grow beets, in the garden, but may try turnips, this year. As for roasted veggies, all kinds, amazing! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMINMIND 2/21/2012 1:01AM

Very good for you. Open your eyes and see all the fresh veggies out there. I love parsnips and turnips! Report Inappropriate Comment