Really?

Does this kind of thing happen at your house? Please tell me it does.

For the record, the husband does A LOT of good around this place. He's A#1 dad, he helps cook, he grocery shops, he makes coffee and he even picks up wine on his way home...so I guess a little leeway would be nice. But three days ago when I saw this, I was a little puzzled. What exactly is the thought process here? You're leaving a sipper for the next Joe? You don't feel like taking it to the recycle bin? I'm just really not sure. And now, we're having a Mexican stand-off to see who deals with it first. We're mature around here.

Remember that part in the movie, 'The Break-up' where Jennifer Aniston asks the boyfriend to get a dozen lemons? That EXACT scenario happens 'round this casa all the time. The best example involves paper towels. For the past 5 years I have been married to the Mr. I have used solid white paper towels. Inevitably, if he goes to the store and gets paper towels I end up with some terrible butterfly motif. And he buys a pack of 450 rolls, so then I'm stuck with blasted pink butterflies for 2 years. I used to really care about this sort of thing. I've pretty much mailed it in and now I'm just thankful he saved me a trip to the store. What bugs you?

Guest Bloggin'

Hey, hey!
Today I'm guest blogging over with Heather at Life Made Simple. Check it out!
I would love to know your favorite things around your house. What makes it special? What do you collect?

Daydreamin

More explanation on this later, but for now...here is a little eye candy for ya. What's not to love? White cabinets, wood floor, lanterns, chandy.


There's been a little debate on whether or not one should paint kitchen cabinets. Some of the crowd gasps at the thought of painting perfectly good, wood cabinets. Like it's taboo or something. I've consulted the most skilled designer I know on this topic. Loved her response, and I think this finally nails it. "Yes, they are wood. Yes, wood is nice, but wood is NOT sacred. A white kitchen will always be classic." Amen.

I DID IT!

I finally re-created one of my favorite dishes! Now, don't get too excited...this is nothing fancy, flashy, time-consuming or rocket science.
My mom makes up dishes all the time, but I am not so skilled. For me to throw a bunch of stuff together and have it come out good or like the original has never happened. EVER.

Our local Mexican spot, Fernando's, has been a long-time favorite of this house. They hit all key elements: salsa (3 types) are great, chips are good, fajitas are excellent, nachos are fantastic and they have outdoor seating. Those are the things I'm looking for in a return-to kinda place.

When I was about 8.5 months pregnant I dined at Fernando's with some dear girlfriends. They all drank wine and margaritas until their fill and I had a good, cold O'Douls and settled on my meal. I ordered a never before plate of Chicken Tacos. I ate until I literally couldn't fit into my pants. I remember coming home, taking off the white jeans I wore OUT during pregnancy and putting on the stretchies. It wasn't totally abnormal to stuff myself to the gills, but this was a little beyond belief. I can recall that night's sleep. There wasn't any. I was so full I was miserable. Since that night those tacos have haunted me. I've had them a many of time since, but I crave them all. the. time.

So yesterday I took 1 bone-in chicken breast out to thaw. I boiled it and then pulled the meat off the bone. I threw it in a pan with several dashes of cumin, several dashes of paprika, a can of rotel, onion, salt and pepper and let it come to a boil. Then turned it down to a simmer and put the lid on and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Serve it up with some guacamole, cheese, whatever suites your fancy. See, told you it was nothing to write home about. But it tastes so good. Ole!

TGIF!

Time's a Flyin

Can you believe this sweet baby's 4 months old today? Still not sleeping worth a damn at night, but who could care with an angel face like this?

Happy Hump Day! Hope ya'll are sleeping more than us at your casa!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I wish all of you love bugs a Happy New Year! May 2011 be happy, healthy and prosperous.
I'm hoping this photo is a prediction into my year...outrageous, full of life and happy. I think the side pony is a good look too. Might rock that from here on out.

Back to Reality

I, like a lot of other Americans, returned to the gym last night.
I hated being one of those that got back into routine just because it was January, but I left myself no other option. It was put off entirely long enough. I have made every excuse in the book. The holiday parties are over and its time.

Some of the folks in my class had been on hiatus for a mere few days. One lady, 2 weeks. Me? Oh, since May. The instructor shook my hand and introduced herself and welcomed me to the gym. That's cool, been a member since 2007.

After slipping out for the past 7 months and having a child you'd think I would have been smart enough to ease back into the routine. Maybe some elliptical or 45 minutes of walking on the treadmill. Nope, it was apparently go big or go home. Throw-up or stay on the couch. (I didn't actually get sick, thankfully. Could have gone either way around 8:01 pm).

Spin class owned my big ass. OWNED. IT.

During the really hard songs, I used to pray for my unborn child back in the spring. Last night I prayed I wouldn't die. Literally.

I made a pact with myself I would get my pre-baby body back as soon as I got the tot scheduled and sleeping until at least 6 am. And at 8 weeks she was breezing through from 8:30 pm until 5:00 am, so this didn't seem like it would take all that long. After Tour de America during the holidays that whole routine has gone to hell. I came to a fork in the road and figured I could be sleepy and fat or sleepy and skinny, so I hit the gym despite the lack of a good sleep routine.

So today, I'm sleepers and my ass feels like I rode an unicycle from Dallas to Seattle. Here's to being a skinny bitch in 2011. Who's with me?