no, this pasta is really great!

I've done a lot of cooking in my time. I started when I was just a kid, spending time with my Grandma Smith in the kitchen, watching every move she made. My Mom taught the Girl Scout cooking badge requirements. Then I went to work for the lady across the street who owned her own catering business. (Okay, not a lot of cooking with her. It was mostly bagels and lox, gefilte fish, and blintzes.) Of course I cooked for myself, and roomates, during and after college. And then there was the ocassional "date" cooking (food... not something else). I married, cooked for a husband, and along came Wesley and I cooked for him. Then the divorce, so back to just me with the ocassional coaxing to get a very opinionated five year old to try something new. And back to cooking for others when hosting crops at the LSS.

Like I said, I've done a lot of cooking in my time!

Today I cooked (and served) for 14 Kindergarteners. What does one make for a Kindergarten hot lunch program? Especially when the teacher and assistant teacher are eating too? Pasta. It's the easiest, cheapest, quickest, and most kid friendly thing I can think of all rolled into one. Toss in a green salad with every kid's favorite... ranch dressing, and brownies for dessert, and you've got a crowd pleaser.

So much so, I was shocked:

- 6 came back for seconds on pasta
- 3 came back for seconds on salad
- one of those 3 already mentioned came back for third's on salad
- the teachers wanted the recipe (LOL)
- Wesley said, "Mom, your pasta is great!"
- another boy said, "No, your pasta is REALLY great!!!"

And, to boot, the three year old sister of one of Wesley's classmates told her mom (my serving helper) "Momma... she's pretty" referring to me.

Now those are the best compliments I've had in a long, long time!

Bon appetit!

planning a crop

Mark your calendars now!

When: Saturday, October 1 starting at 9am ET through Sunday, October 2 ending at Noon

Where: The Decorated Page

Games, challenges, make-n-takes, chatter, and, of course, PRIZES!!!! Hope to see you there!

yay

It's a bright new day with endless possibilities! I feel a good day coming on!! :o) Let's hope my gut is right. ;o)

argh!!!

Some people are just stupid! That's it. There's just NO other explaination or definition for it. Stupid. And you want to know my biggest pet peeve in life?????

STUPIDITY!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday morning ramblings

Sheesh! This week sure went by quickly. I guess that happens when you're running here and there and everywhere else. LOL Got a lot accomplished around the house, got the Snazzy Scraps October kit pulled together and sent out to the designers, did a little shopping (and splurged on a new pair of Liz Claiborne short boots for me), and signed up to be "lunch lady" on Sept. 28th for Wesley's class (they do hot lunches once a week). All in all a good week!

Still looking for a "real" job. I was really hoping that I would have heard something from one of the places I sent a resume to, but nada. The one closed on Sept. 2nd, and since I still haven't heard anything, I guess I'm not in the running for that. There's still hope that I'll hear something from The City of Olympia. That didn't close until this past Tuesday, and I have a friend who works there who is hopefully putting in a good word for me. I'll give her a ring early next week to see where they are in the hiring process. Keep your fingers crossed.

Today we're going to the HFS Back to School picnic. Wesley is just loving school and is really looking forward to the picnic. I'm looking forward to seeing all the volunteer opportunities available and getting myself commited to work off my "support" hours (30 hours per family). LOL Not really, but I want to get them signed up for and done as quickly as possible so that I don't have to worry about them later in the year. After the picnic we might head over to the LSS to hang out for a bit. Or, maybe, if the mojo I think is starting to come back actually arrives (dare I say it) I might just try to get some scrapping done tonight. It'll be hard without my scrappin' buddy who's been MIA all week long even after many messages and attempts to contact her. Maybe my Sis will want to "chat and scrap" tonight? We'll see.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday! Stay warm, dry, etc. if you're in a climate like mine today (45 degrees and have the heater on already). If you're like some others I know... stay cool and comfortable. Crack open a cold one and enjoy!

Hurricane Katrina Scrapbook Kit e-Bay Auction

Snazzy Scraps, and several other kit clubs, have combined efforts to raise money in aid of the Hurricane Katrina victims. Don't miss out on your chance to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.

View the auction and place your bid today!

stalky mcstalker pants

I see someone finally got a picture of Stacie and Liss and their stalker. Behold Stalky McStalker Pants!!

first day of Kindergarten

Today is Wesley's first day of Kindergarten. I am going to attempt to journal the day on my blog, so keep checking back for updates throughout the day.

6:00am - I am up and trying to wake up. I've checked, and rechecked, that I have all the forms, etc. that I'm supposed to take with me for his first day. The emergency kit is packed and ready.

6:40am - Wesley is still sleeping and I'm trying to calm my nerves. I've got to make his lunch and then get in the shower. Be back in a bit.

7:55am - We're out the door. Stopping to take a couple of pictures before we go.

8:20am - Said goodbye to Wesley as he left the gym with the rest of his class and teacher to head off to the classroom. Didn't cry, but almost.

8:30am - Home again. Jake was looking for Wesley. Mrs. Dohring handed out little gifts to the parents. A small gift bag with a cotton ball, a tissue and a tea bag along with a very sweet note. Now I'm tearing up.

8:32am - Called Grandma and Grandpa to fill them in on the morning's events. Both Grandma and I had a good cry.

9:15am - Tried to call Stacie. She's probably still out getting Michael. So, here I am catching up with the journaling. It sure is quiet around here.

survival of the fittest

When life gives me lemons, I run and hide. Seriously! I go into hibernation until I can figure out what to do next. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. This past week was a pseudo hibernation week for me. Lots to figure out. Lots of challenges thrown my way. Some I've conquered (like replacing my car battery yesterday after finding my "dead" car stuck in the garage). And some I've merely taken steps to correct. I think what bothers me more than the actual problems is the constant pressure to placate those who think they need to be involved.

As this week ends, I am looking forward to a new week... a better week. I am a survivor in this evil game we call life.

mr. handsome

I didn't think it was possible for my sweet, handsome boy to look any more handsome... but I was wrong! Doesn't he look wonderful?

a day to forget

I've been struggling since last week trying to work through my thoughts and feelings about today, August 9th. Somehow I know I am better off and that I have a lot too look forward to. But I can't help feeling like I'm in a funk too. Instead of being happy, I'm retrospective. I just hope the day passes quickly and without any surprises. And, if you talk to me today and I'm in a crappy mood, try not to hold it against me.

By the way, today would have been my 8th wedding anniversary.

thurston county fair

It's summer, so that means it's fair time! Our county fair is pretty small, and only runs for 5 days, but it's still a lot of fun for a 5 year old. We were supposed to go with a friend and her boys but over the course of the past 72 hours two of the three came down with some sort of stomach bug. So, today, on the last day of the fair, Wesley and I ventured out by ourselves.

Starting with the animal exhibits we looked at pigs, goats, sheep, cows, llamas, horses, rabbits and chickens. We also hit the craft and hobbie hall, but didn't spend much time since Wesley was itching to get to the rides. There's nothing like fair grub... everything from hamburgers and BBQ to Chinese and Indian. Then there's all the yummy local farms with their wonderful treats. We settled for the standard cheeseburgers and shared an apple fritter for dessert. Yum!

Finally we headed off to the amusement area. I've always loved amusement parks and it seems Wesley is a chip off the old block. Though he wanted to ride everything, I limited him to the ones he could ride on his own. It's not because I've gotten a yellow spine in recent years, it's the cost. $1 per ticket and 3-4 tickets for each ride. Fortunately for me they had unlimited wristbands for $17. Here's a picture of Wesley riding the airplanes. He also rode the roller coaster, train, dragon spin, and ran around in the mirror maze, Indiana Jones adventure, and bouncy thingy.

The one thing I don't remember from going to the fair as a kid is the odd crowd of folk who work the fair... the carnies. Maybe it was just my naivete. Maybe it was just youth. Or maybe it's because now I'm older and wiser and know what sorts of bad things happen, even to good people. I just couldn't help eyeing each and every ride operator wondering about them. Not in a negative manner per se, but wondering what brough them to the notorius world of being a carnie. Traveling. Manual labor. Thankless job. I seem to remember wanting to be a carnie when I was younger. There was a magical spell the fair held over me. Now I wonder why?

So, the grand total of the day was...

Parking... $5
Entry to the fair... $6
Lunch... $9.50
Carnival rides... $17
Dessert... $3.50

A wonderul summer day together.... priceless!

falling asleep

I find it really hard to fall asleep some nights. And staying asleep becomes a challenge too! Especially when Wesley wakes up in the middle of the night crying. I know some of you are going through the same thing this week. And broken sleep really sucks.

What was the problem? Wesley lost his black sunglasses. He had three pairs - black, brown and some crazy looking blue ones his dad bought him. He rarely ever wears any of them, but when he does, it's the black ones. A week ago his dad took him to a carnival and he left his black sunglasses on one of the rides. By the time the realized it and went back to retrieve them, they were gone. Probably being worn by some other kid who's parents will wonder later how the black sunglasses became part of their child's wardrobe.

I was told about the loss of the sunglasses the day it happened. And, it didn't seem like a big deal to Wesley. It certainly wasn't to me since he has two other pairs. But, in the middle of the night it apparently became a BIG deal.

The solution... we went to Walmart yesterday and bought a new pair of black sunglasses.

I don't really think the sunglasses were the issue. I think his mind is whirling with thoughts of his dad leaving. (He's being deployed at the end of the month.) I'm sure the old fears of abandonment are creeping in again. If that's the case, I'm in for a long bought of nights with broken sleep.

august kit

The Snazzy Scraps August kit is up!

Awesome Rusty Pickle patterned paper, an exclusive alphabet set created by Jessica Bolton of Eclectic Scraps, Prima flower, May Arts ribbon, and lots of cool embellishments.

more on news of the day...

A proud kid!

news of the day

Wesley... in The Olympian today http://www.theolympian.com/ . Go to the Living section and click on Swim safely to read the story.

I am beaming from ear to ear! Can you tell? He's still sleeping and hasn't seen himself yet, but I'll be sure to get more pictures when he does.

There's also a an audio slideshow at the bottom of the article. The direct link is http://www.theolympian.com/graphics/mov/learntoswim.swf if you want to take a look.

I took the challenge... did you?

My friend posted a challenge on her blog (http://eclecticscraps.blogspot.com/) and I took it! Here's my completed project.

little fish

After three weeks of swimming lessons, it occurred to me that I hadn't taken a single picture of Wesley in the pool. This is from yesterday's lesson. My once "I don't want to learn how to swim" whiner is now turning into a little fish. He looks forward to going to swimming every day. His favorite part of the lesson... going under water. This is the reason I put him in lessons in the first place, because he was scared to go under. Next week he will move up from the Pike class to the Super Pike level, with the same instructor. Kids and swimming! Isn't that what summer is all about?

Have a great summer day!

in need of therapy

It's not an obsession any more... it's a disease! And it's spreading too. In just the past few days, I've heard cries of help from others, panic stricken with this same disease I suffer from. I hope you didn't catch it too!!

I know many of you have this very same disease but are too embarassed and ashamed to admit it. It's okay, really! I understand. I'm suffering from it too. Oh, I tried to get rid of it by passing it on to others, but they sent it right back to me. I tried giving it away, but it grows and spreads like a cancer. It starts with the unopened bags that sit waiting for attention. Then it moves to being sorted and added to the out of control piles already accumulated. And finally, it radiates an aura of "but what if this truly ISN'T the right project to use this with".

What is it? Paper hoarding.

Let's all join hands together and say, "My name is _________, and I am a paper hoarder!"

a little this, a little that

Where did the month of June go? Seriously! I blinked, and it was gone. Between soccer, Wesley's birthday, a visit from the parental units, swimming lessons, kitting, kit planning, and who knows what else time just got away from me. It was "suggested" by someone (who knows who she is) that I best get something posted on my blog before "someone else" posts something for me. So, with a few minutes of down time in between projects, you all get to read my ramblings, along with a pictorial of events.

Soccer... the season is over (short season, only 5 weeks). Wesley had a blast, and learned a lot. No soccer again right now, but I'm sure there will be plenty more in the future. Here he is after his last game with his first soccer medal!

The birthday... a small cake, and some balloons. How easy can it get? That was the only request Wesley had for his 5th birthday. He didn't want a party. Didn't want a bunch of toys. Just wanted a cake and balloons (both of which he got). We spent the day at Northwest Trek. Lots of fun! Then came home to a few presents that we had to pick out ourselves since he didn't seem to know what he wanted, dinner, and cake.

The parental units.... they arrived on the 21st and left on the 28th. Oddly enough, Wesley didn't seem to be as excited to see them this time? Maybe because they were just here in April? Oh, he still had fun having them here, and got spoiled as ever. Shopping, bowling, eating out, special treats. I'm told that's what grandparents are for!

Swimming lessons... after going to a waterpark with his father, and going under water when he wasn't expecting it, Wesley became deathly afraid of the water. So, off to the YMCA for swimming lessons we went. The first lesson was almost unbearable for me. He cried and begged me to get him out of the pool. He was also sent back a level because he refused to put his head under the water. It's amazing what 2 weeks of lessons, and an understanding teacher can do for a kids confidence level. He is now going under the water, belly floating, back floating and actually looks forward to going to the pool. The next 2 week session starts on Tuesday.

Kitting... Snazzy Scraps July kits are now shipping! It was touch and go there up until the last possible minute, waiting on an order from Li'l Davis. But, they came through, and all the preordered kits went out on Friday... as scheduled.

Kit planning... are you wanting to know what's in the August kit? I'll give you a little hint. Pink and brown. Shhhh! Don't tell anyone. You're the only one's who know.

And other stuff... did you see the awesome contest Snazzy Scraps & Eclectic Scraps are co-sponsoring? Get your layouts in ladies! There are some great prizes to be won.

Today has been a day for catching up, and a day for beautifying. I will leave you with a rare treat... a picture of me and my new hair color. A girl needs something to make herself feel better some days! ;o)

I hope everyone is having a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!!!