And Snow It Goes

We are loving here in Colorado despite the crazy weather. Our neighbors have told us that the area in which we live really didn't have a bad winter and it's crazy how we are getting all this snow in April. Last week we had a snow storm. I had my first attempt trying to drive in the snow...and notice the word attempt. I had a job interview and I didn't get 2 miles from the house before I had to turn around as my car was losing control. I was so scared. People behind me were probably saying "move out of the way Florida" because they had a good look at my license plate going 10 miles per hour until the back end of the car was losing control. We knew rear wheel drive cars would not work well in snow but we figured we had at least until winter to get new vehicles...boy was I wrong.

But after sleigh riding and vegging out indoors due to being home bound we really enjoyed it...I mean living in Florida you don't have days like this...rain yeah but you can still drive in rain in a rear wheel drive car.

So after the snow came sunny high 60-70 degree weather, we had rain last night I awoke in the middle of the night to snow everywhere...and really coming down. We heard the news last night that there was a chance of snow in the foothills but heck how do I know if I am in the foothills?

By mid morning the sun was shining and by late afternoon all the snow was gone...gotta love it!

Here are some random pics over the past week of the kids enjoying the weather.

I will be back to update you soon. I am sorry for my "lack" of blogging; but I did get a job and with still getting settled and finding daycare for Love things have been a little hectic. However I am on Facebook so all my peeps hit me up there so I can say a little hello when I am absent on here.

Now What?

Today is my last day with my current employer. They broke the news to me on Monday...hence why I have been a little down and not posting.

I am now in the stage of Now What?

Love is happy though she wants to do make-up on Monday and play dress up. Zman is excited since I will be home when he arrives from school...he asked me the other night "mom will you make me a snack or something when I get home?"

Last night when we were done working out at the gym hubby said to me...

Hubby-Starting Monday you will be doing all the stuff around the house

Me-Like what?

Hubby-You know cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids because you will be home.

Me-Oh no...I won't be doing any cooking; we know how that turns out.

Hubby-Oh you can make a couple things

Me-Like what...eggs and bacon? Bologna sandwiches?

Hair and Farts?

The other day Love wanted me to play with her. We started off playing Barbies and she insisted on putting Ken's clothes on Barbie. She was having a hard time getting the tight fitted dress on Barbie so she thought it was easier to just throw Ken's big sweater on her.

We then had to play dress up. She got into her toy box of goodies and pulled out her dresses and shoes and modeled them.

Next it was time to play hair salon. She was doing my hair and using her blow dryer that only sounds as if it's blowing air but it's not. She gets a kick out of it because it doesn't make her hair hot like when I use the real blow dryer. I asked her what the name of her salon was and she replied..."Love's Hairntown". When I repeated the name with a lil giggle she replied "no it Love Hairnfarts"

Then she proceeds to say "Awwww Rachel yo hair is gorgeous!"

What? I am a pain in the ass?

At work today I was trying to reach someone in regards to a buyer who is purchasing a home through my company. I kept calling her and leaving messages, sending her emails etc. I then called the realtor and advised her I needed certain information or we could not go forward.

The woman at the mortgage company called me back while I shopping at Target (shhhh dont' tell) and left a message that started off "Rachel you are a pain in the ass...but I mean that as a huge compliment. I wish everyone worked the way you do that was on my staff. Please call me back and have the operator page me. I really want to talk to you; I love the way you work!"

So I called her and we talked and she did ask for my resume so I sent it to her...hey if this gig doesn't work out I need a back up...or the money could be better and I need that.

I wonder where this could go???

On another note the focus group I talked about in my previous post...GUESS who won the extra $20??? Your right ME!!! I arrived and was the 2nd person there and they did the drawing 15 minutes before the start of the focus group and when she reached in and pulled out a name I just knew my name was going to be called. I came home with $100 bucks cash for giving my opinion on local news station commericals in my area.

If you are interested in finding out how to do this in your area, do a Google search of "paid focus groups". If you live in Florida (central) and want the name of the company who arranges these in our area email me.

Now to decide which shoes I want...or maybe a pair of sunglasses. I would say new pair but I bet you can't believe I live in Florida and I don't own a pair of sunglasses. (I know I know I just always go right to the shoes)

Serendipity

Confessions of a Yummy Mummy is having a giveaway. You have to check it out.

One of the gifts in the basket is the DVD movie Serendipity (John Cusack, Jeremy Piven, Kate Beckinsale, John Corbett). If you haven't seen this movie you are missing out.

My hubby and I have been to New York several times and we never miss a chance to have dinner at Serendipity III. I call the restaurant the minute we book our trip to make reservations (if you don't you can wait in line 2 hours to get in). The Frozen Hot Chocolate is to die for, the chicken wings...there are none like it...not to mention the ambiance is very chic and cozy.

About a year or so ago 2 girlfriends and I decided to take a long weekend to NYC for a girls trip. In planning our itinerary I told them about the restaurant. I made reservations so we were guaranteed to have dinner here during our stay.

Once we got to the restaurant we were seated and starting enjoying the food, the Frozen Hot Chocolate etc and then it was time for the bill. The waiter came over and said that the bill was taken care of. We all looked at each other thinking "what" "who did this" while looking around the restaurant in disbelief. I then asked the server if the tip was taken care of and he replied "I was informed that everything was all set".

On our way out I had to ask the host who took care of it and make sure the tip was included; I didn't want to leave without tipping our waiter for his great service. The host replied "Rachel's hubby took care of everything".

Of course a big smile popped on my face and I immediately called my husband to first thank him profusely and to let him know that if I would have known we wouldn't have ordered everything on the menu; I didn't want to hurt his wallet (LOL) and then I had to ask "how did you know when our reservations were" his reply "I'm goooood baby".

The Chaperone Needs A Chaperone

My hubby volunteered to chaperone Zman's field trip next week.

I have told my hubby that he needs to read the list of rules Zman's teacher sent home and sign and return it.

Hubby-What rules?

Me-It's a list of what time you need to be there, what to pack your lunch in...just read it.

Hubby-I am getting Zman and I a 10 foot sub and we are going to sit back and just eat it. I will start at one end and he will start at the other end.

Me-Anyway; you need to pack your lunch in a plastic bag...and please behave...no cursing?

Hubby-Ok but if I slip I can't be held accountable.

Me-Zman please keep an eye on your dad during the field trip.

Hubby-And tell your teacher to stop hitting on me...I keep telling her I am married.

My Name is Rachel and I Am Addicted to Shoes

I know I know. But the people who say "why do you have so many pairs of shoes, you only have two feet?" Well my friends shoes make the outfit...and if I need a pair of black shoes they may not be the "right" pair to go with said outfit. The same goes for Silver, Gold, Red, Blue, Green etc.

But when you have your house on the market for sale and your realtor calls the agent who showed your home to potential buyers and they remembered your home as "the one with all the shoes"...kinda makes me think...do I really have a problem?

Nahh...a girl has to have her shoes. They must be talking about the closet under the stairs where everyone keeps their shoes (I have a couple in the closet too), yes there is a lot of shoes in there too...but they are mainly my hubby's and the kids.

I do have to share a pair of Love's new shoes I got her for Christmas...I have to thank Savy Mode for her find. When she posted about them I had to go to Nordstrom and pick these up for Love because after all, whenever I put on my shoes she says "Oh I wuv yore shoes mom...you buy me some wike dat". Now I want a pair of these Converse too so we can be twins. (They make them in adult sizes too)

Rock Band...What Have You Done?

We are in the car on our way to dinner...

Love-Dad can we wisten to Rock Band songs? (and she pronounces Rock Band perfectly)

Dad-Not now.

Love-Lata? Afta your song is ova?

(Now mind you this is just a glimpse of the conversation; I think she asked him 5 times and all 5 times he said not now; later...but Love doesn't accept no for an answer when she has her mind set on something. So she did what she knows to do; she doesn't ask another question, she just tells you what is going to happen).

2 minutes later

Love-Dad It my turn now

What she is referring to is Nirvana songs...Hubby has had the CD and since Zman is all into Rock Band and now learning how to play his electric guitar he got for Christmas; my Bro is teaching him how to play these songs on his guitar. So this is all Love hears.

I just have to laugh out loud when I turn around and see my almost 4 year old (she turns 4 on Valentines Day and Zman turns 10 two days after that) requesting the music is turned up as loud as it can go...shouting out...

Monkey see, monkey do
I don't know why I'd - rather be dead than cool
I don't know why - every line ends in rhyme
I don't know why - less is more, love is blind
I don't know why

Stay...Stay Away....(repeat 3x)

And while she is shouting out these tunes to the best of her ability and making up words that she doesn't quite understand (she gets this from me when I sing) she is pretending to strum on her guitar just as her big brother is doing right next to her.

Later that evening when we get home Zman started to pull out the Rock Band equipment. I told him they wouldn't be playing as I was going to relax and watch TV. He said Ok and started to put the stuff back and here comes Love "Ahhh Man".

Zman is the easier child. He accepts the answer and moves on. He may not understand or agree but normally he doesn't push the issue but now he has a partner in crime. He has Love figured out and us too...So if he wants something that we have already said no to, he puts his lil sister up to it as he knows she is relentless and will wear us down.

Busted

I walk into the kitchen and what do I see...Lil Love up on the counter staring at tv...and too close I might add.

Me-Why are you sitting up there watching tv?

Love-Cause I wunt to.

Me-That is too close...why don't you watch tv on the bigger tv?

Love-Mommmmm...I wike it here.

So there she stayed...on the counter glaring at the tv...because she wunts to! Hey at least she put the chair up to the counter correctly. I don't ask for much.

Love is Quarantined

It all started on a bright sunny 82 degree day in December right after Christmas. I awake to Love telling me her head hurts and she needs to take a shower. It's 9am and I was still sleeping so I bribe her with a little Noggin on tv and she lays by me. Ten minutes later she awakes me to tell me she has to take a shower; I reply with "ok in a couple minutes". So we finally make it into the shower; I blow dry her hair and she looks in the mirror as she always does and says "oh my hair is gorgeous" and we go about our day.

We proceed to venture out for lunch as hubby is going a little stir crazy and says the 4 walls are caving in on him; I don't understand that part as we live in a 2 story home so if the walls downstairs are caving in on him, upstairs would be a change of pace or 4 new walls...right?

We go to about 5 restaurants. The first being our diner and the parking lot is empty; it wasn't a good sign since it's normally packed; granted we haven't been in a long time but then hubby recaps by saying "I just read a bad review posted earlier this year"...ok on to the next stop. We stumble upon a German restaurant that is also a gaming place equipped with a bowling alley and arcade. Hubby has a great idea to bowl and have lunch snack bar style but none of us have socks on (don't laugh everyone who is bombarded with snow; I said it was 82 degrees so we all had flip flops or Crocs on...and for the record I don't wear Crocs...Love does) so we decided to come back later that night. We got to the 3rd restaurant which was a quick stop Italian place; you know for a slice or sub and Love wants a cheeseburger...or chicken nuggets neither which they have so we leave.

We finally arrive at Five Guys Burger and Fries. We have seen this place before but have never gone in; it was quite crowded and the sign said "best value or affordable dining yada yada yada" so $32 later for burger and fries we ate; and Love didn't even eat her lunch. By this time she has chills and hubby had to get his leather jacket out of the car to cover her up.

We leave and head home and I look back and my spunky girl doesn't seem herself. I know she is definitely tired as it's 3pm and she hasn't had her nap; this girl has to have a daily nap. We arrive and I put her to bed and she sleeps almost til 6pm; I didn't want to wake her up. When she did awake she was running a fever saying her head hurt...so I am thinking "ok it must be an ear infection right". So I filled her antibiotic that her doctor had me promise I wouldn't fill unless she had a fever over 101...which she did so I filled it (doctor was going to be away and did this for a just in case).

After trying to coerce my 3 year old going on 15 year old that it would make her feel better she wasn't having any of it. She proceeded to gag when I tried to break up the chewable pills and told her it was just like her allergy medicine (which is a chewable but she just likes to swallow with water...go figure); she wasn't having any of it. So I crush it in a pill crusher and put in pudding; she found each little granule and decided to throw it up...it's always fun trying to give this girl medicine.

Sooooo I told her she had to take Motrin; it's Grape flavor and all kids love it but her hands go immediately to her mouth to shield it from the little medicine cup I am about to give her and says "I don't wike it". So after pleading that it will help her fever it takes her a half hour sipping 2 tsp of Motrin while alternating with water.

Her fever comes down and she is resting.

Sunday morning we awake and Love is throwing up, high fever again and complaining her head hurts. This goes on all day and after giving her the Motrin she throws up. So like any Mom I worry that she just threw up the medicine but I don't want to give her more so I wait until later and it's high again and she finally takes it...again a half hour later and a lot of bribing about buying a Sleeping Beauty dress once she feels better...and she eats for the first time...a half of grilled cheese sandwich. She devoured that thing like it was the last piece of food on this earth.

I watch her for a while to ensure it stays down while getting her to sip water and alternating with apple juice...and she falls asleep. I wouldn't let her leave the guest bedroom at all only to take her potty so I could hear that she was actually going because I worry of dehydration...especially with all the vomiting.

So today Monday; I have to go to work as it's the end of the month/year for home closings and hubby has to cancel a breakfast meeting so he can stay with her.

He informs me that her fever is down but still throwing up. About an hour later he texts me to tell me her fever has gone up again to 102.7...so now I worry is it an ear infection or the flu? I haven't been giving her the antibiotic because it's unlike her to throw up with an ear infection; my hubby recollected it was possibly the flu...but we got the flu shot? He replies "it could be a different strain" so I call the doctor.

I felt so much better after doing so; even though she was out of town and visiting her sick father she assured me it was a bad stomach flu going around and the vomiting last 3-4 days, fever 3 days and diareah 5-7 days. She informed me that her fever was high because the white blood cells were fighting it off to continue to give her the Motrin so she felt comfortable...and then she said it "Rachel it's highly contagious...make sure you keep washing your hands; it's been my experience the mother gets it next" WHAT???? So then I say to myself "well my hands feel like sandpaper from all the hand washing so I should be good right? But what if I forgot once or twice???

It is safe to say that she will be in that room until she is much better and I think I need to pick up a can of Lysol. Oh my poor Love...I think tomorrow will be day 3 so we are on the road to recovery.

Who Does She Think She Is

Scene:
Walmart; Love and I shopping

Love-We need these bowls (Dora The Exploxer Dixie Bowls)

Me-No we don't need those Love, put them back.

Love-Yes...I hab to hab dem

Me-No we don't need them

Love-Yes (as she is putting them in the cart)

Me-Love put them back

Love-Mommmmmmmm

Scene:
Walmart; the 4 of us shopping

Hubby told Love she had to sit in the cart; I didn't hear this part...

Love-Mom can I get out and walk

Me-Sure...I will get you out

Love-Daddy mom take me out k

Me-I can do it

Love-Daddy I coming out of cart ok

Love-Dad mom taking me out k?

Scene:
Home; we received presents from hubby's sister and brother in law. We each get 1 gift.

Love-Dad; all dose pwents mine wight?

Hubby-No one is for you

Love-Oh

5 minutes later...

Love-Dad I hab 4 pwents uder da twee right.

Hubby-Love I already told you no; you have one present.

Love-Oh

1 hour later...

Love-Dad how many pwents I hab uder da twee?

Hubby-Love I told you...1 present...now stop talking about it.

5 minutes later...

Love-I have 4 pwents uder the tree

Hubby gets upset and tells Love that if she keeps asking she won't have any presents under the tree and she starts crying...

Love-Daddy yell at me (sobbing crying)


I have never met a kid in my life like this girl; it's her world and we just live in it. I can't make this stuff up folks.

A Lesson Learned

Zman has been going through withdrawals of Club Penguin due to us not having a working computer at home. Hubby's power cord broke and we had to order a new one...we found one on Ebay but after purchasing we didn't know it was coming from Hong Kong...so we are still waiting.

He wanted to go to his best friends house who lives down our street on Saturday to play and to use the computer. He knows that he is supposed to call us the minute he gets there so we know he made it ok. The strange thing is their house phone doesn't work. Each time we call it we get a recording that says it's disconnected; yet when they call us that number shows up on the caller id.

So Zman said to me before he left "I will call you when I get there but if there phone doesn't work I will come home and let you know". So after 5 minutes of not hearing from him which is enough time to ride his bike my motherly instincts kick in and I start to worry. I hop in my car to drive down there and across the lake I see his friends mom's car driving toward their home...so I freak out a lil bit more. We both pull up to the house at the same time and I see Zman's bike in the driveway.

His friends mom says "is Zman here" and I said "yes but he has to come home now because he didn't call me". Her husband was home and she was just arriving so that eased my mind of her not knowing that he was there.

When she opens the door I call for Zman and let him know that he has to come home because he didn't listen and call me or come back like he said he would. Of course his head drops and he is sad and probably a little bit mad at me for ruining his fun (I wanted to say "it's ok just remember next time" but this isn't the first time he has forgot to call). I explained to him outside why he is coming home and I was upset that he didn't bring his cell phone...yes he has a cell phone which he forgets to bring or fails to turn on.

After being home for a few minutes I talk to him and explain that I was worried and he had to learn his lesson which is why I made him come home.

Zman-I know mom; your right and I am sorry. I promise I will bring my phone next time...and I am not mad at you.

Me-I know sweetie...I didn't want you to have to come home but you have to learn the consequences for your mistakes and I am just wanting you to learn from your them so you are more aware next time.

Zman-I know...and you know what the worst part of it is Mom...I was just signing on to Club Penguin...I was soooo close!

Zman went to his friends house on Sunday and called me from his cell phone the second he got there...A lesson learned my friends...lesson learned...for now!

On another note he did return home later that night to inform us that he was playing around and threw his bike helmet up in a tree and it got stuck...boys!

What Bra Size Are You?

Who Needs Jenny Craig...

when you got Healthy Choice. I have been on a "lifestyle" change over the past few weeks in regards to my diet and I have been trying to stay under 1300 calories a day. I allow myself one cheat day to indulge which is typically on Sundays.

I have eaten Healthy Choice products in the past but I think they have improved them in the recent years or hired a new chef. How do I know this you ask? Because this is my new "best friend"... Healthy Choice Cafe' Steamers. The entree "Whiskey Steak" and the calorie count...250!!!! That is it and it taste like my hubby whipped it up. I promise you won't get a "buzz" from eating it (the name does have Whiskey in it). I don't know if they use Whiskey or not in the recipe but this is the bestest frozen dinner in the hole wide werld!!!

Note: this is not a paid advertisement...I am just spreading the love of food to all my blogger buddies who want a good healthy option on the go...but if Healthy Choice would like to pay me to be a spokesperson I would not turn them down.

Are you kidding me?

So Zman and I are on our way home tonight from piano lessons and I am on E...I mean Empty...the gasoline light is on and I have no idea how many miles I get til empty. I don't want to chance it but I hate to stop especially if I am travelling a new way and in the dark for that matter. Sometimes you just wanna get home but I didn't want to be stranded on the highway and call AAA or Hubby; besides Zman would have freaked out...He was already back seat driving "mom you sure you know where your going?" no Zman I don't ...you wanna try it? (JK I didn't say that)

I stop, get out of the car and put my card in the machine at the pump and as soon as I lift the pump out of the holster...BOOM...and gas flies out...my first instinct was the pump was exploding and I fall out of my shoes (because I don't have the straps on...listen they were 8 hour shoes and it was well beyond 8 hours)...I look on the other side and some stupid idiot driving a Mercedes for that matter decided...well I guess he wanted to bring the pump home because he started to drive away and it broke off the machine.

The person behind me was like WTF and I looked over and the guy got out of the car and was like "what happened...did it break". You stupid idiot what do you think happened...so he begins to pick up the pieces that broke off and walks in inside I assume to tell the attendant.

But really did he think the pump would take itself out of his gasoline tank and put itself back into the holster? Did he go inside while the gas was pumping itself and just got into the car to drive off.

I don't know but that just proves no matter how much money you have or what car you drive you may still be day late and a dollar short upstairs if you know what I mean.

I get back in the car and Zman was like "what was that?" "Did he just drive off with the pump?" Yes he did...so can I go this way? Yeah I can..."mom do you know where you are?" Now I'm frazzled and I call my hubby and tell him (because I can't wait I thought I was about to blow up) and he listens and then says "ok is that it; I'm on the other line".