Thinkin' Thursday

Thinkin' Thursday (on the lighter side...)

Thought of the day from a witty, wary woman full of wisdom:

The Great Sarah Silverman

“If you don’t have enough   regret in your life,

try   cutting bangs.”

That's it for me today.  Busy cleaning and organizing kids crap junk stuff all day... 

xoxo,

Tami

Underwhelming Wednesday

Do you know what today is?  Do you???  Well, when I woke up, I thought it was Wonderful Wednesday, which would be a great day to break back into the blogging game.  However, after I waited in line dropped in at the Thrift Shoppe 

this morning, there was just so little thrifty goodness!  I know you have all been there, when you have your hopes up and are geared to make some great find, and then ppthsst, the air just goes right out of you.  

It’s not like there’s a ton of stuff I need, but I wanted to find a piece to make over, as it’s been a long, dry, not-creative summer.  After my wonderful hubby made an involuntary donation of some of my to-be-done pieces (yeah, grrrrrr), I have both the space and the inclination to make something purday.

Instead, I guess I can catch you up on a couple of things around this crazy house.  Check out this nonsense... this is the Porch of Peril!  

March 2011

Now

Actual space to sit and chat, eat, and maybe have a cocktail or two!  The big green lump is the salon chair that has no official place, but I may have come up with a long-term home for that bad boy!

Oh yeah. The scariest room in the house - the laundry/clothes storage room.  I’ll keep y’all up to speed if there’s any actual progress on that front.  :)

This lovely thing is going to be our new kitchen table.  

Hunter green be gone, and blonde wood as well.  (The mirrors & picture frames are on my list)  I have high hopes for this table, as it seems like I’ll never have a real dining room, at least in this house.  Once the table is done, there will be some serious lobbying for some cohesive chairs... I am feeling pretty done with the whole bachelor pad/starter home vibe.  I’m 41, people!  Let my house grow up!


Hey, a couple of side notes...

Happy Birthday, Mom!  

1945 was a good year!

And, do you remember this little girl?

March 2011

Not so little anymore, although still as cute.

June 2011

Now, folks, I need to be off.  Have a great day, and I'll be back at you tomorrow.

xoxo,

Tami

Distraction

Have you ever noticed how one little thing can lead to another?  Of course you have; the majority of my readers are women!  If you are anything like me, you can start off doing a load of laundry and end up in Mexico! ;)  OK, small exaggeration, but I often find myself seriously off track of whatever I thought I would get done during any given time period.  Today, for instance...

I dropped the kids (all three of them!) off at summer school at 8:30.  

They are safely occupied for 3 glorious hours each weekday, and I try to use that time wisely.  Already by drop-off time, I had been knocked off of my original plan of cleaning and prepping for our weekend away by a phone call summons request invitation to have coffee with my mother instead.  I told her I could be there by about 8:40, but didn’t actually arrive until about 8:55 because I was further distracted by a rummage sale, where I found this.

29 inches wide, and 52 inches tall, it's solid oak.  Thank goodness there's no glass in those doors, because it already took three of us to get that puppy into my Vue, partly because I hadn’t totally unloaded my haul from rummaging yesterday (oops), and party because my real puppy was trying to make a break for it, since all the doors were open at once.  She’s not so little anymore.

So, I had coffee with Mom, and we talked for too long, and I got home about 10:20.  Oh, man!  Only an hour ‘til I had to go get those kids.  So of course I spent it cleaning and packing... NOT!

I went into the Porch of Peril, 

and pulled out the base of a vanity I’d been planning to redo for the girls’ room.  At that point, it was totally filthy, but still had the simple shape I remembered.  More importantly, it measured out to a workable base for the hutch, since my original planned piece did not.  There was a moment of panic, as I considered that I’ve been forbidden to bring any more “potential” to the PoP until I free some space.  

There’s also the offered bribe of new patio furniture if I will only clear out my stash, but that doesn’t seem to be going so well.

ANYWAY, 

Once I moved my antique Singer treadle machine {For Sale!} out of the way, I hefted the vanity base into position and wasted used up another chunk of time wiping it down and then cleaning it thoroughly with Murphy’s Oil soap.  

Boy, I love the way that stuff smells.  Kinda clean, I guess.  :) A look at the clock, and I started to sweat about how the Rell I was gonna get that oak monstrosity up the three feet onto the base.  Too late!  11:25, and the kids dismiss at 11:30!  Craptastic!  Off I went...

to be continued...

xoxo,

Tami

Literally Crazy

On a personal note...

I have been in a ridiculous slump lately.  My last post was about parenting issues; there have been more of those going on, but, really, a lot of what’s been happening or not happening has been caused by or contributed to by my mood(s).  I have been slacking terribly around this house, and I have no patience for anything, including myself!  I wanted to blame everything on being a “single parent” so much (D travels for a living, after all).  I wanted to think that if I just had a little support, things would be so very different.  Everything I wanted to accomplish was blocked by some thing that I needed someone else to do for me.  Guess what?  These things are all true.  They do deserve some of the blame.  However...

The larger problem is just me.  I can’t seem to find my focus, I’m terribly emotional, and every little setback feels like a deathblow.  NO! I’m not pregnant!  What I am, though, is off my meds.  Antidepressants, specifically.  I’ve been on and off of them for most of my adult life (mostly on).  I have a chemical imbalance in m’brain, which sounds like a cop-out, but medication is the only thing that’s ever been reliable for keeping me on keel. 

The beginning of this year, I was feeling better than I have in recent memory, strong and confident, and I really thought that I could be okay on my own.  Coming off these types of meds, you have to wean down, which I did.  For about 5-6 weeks after my last dose, I felt great, and got back some of the other emotions that tend to be tamped down by SSRI’s (Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors).  I bragged to my hubby how good I felt, I made progress with all the projects I wanted and needed to do, and I made friends!  I even lost weight - could it have been any better?  It was wonderful... right up until it wasn’t.  

Suddenly, every noise the kids made grated on me (OK, that’s not THAT unusual).  Not being able to find a tool or supply could make me cry, or turn me into a screaming maniac.  Little annoyances that I could usually shrug off now made me just enraged.  It’s ugly, people.

FYI: When I’m fully dosed, I can’t cry.  Can’t.  Not for reasons large or small.  It’s one reason I want so badly to be done with these pills.

Being a raving B%&$@ isn’t very conducive to writing what I try to make an informative, entertaining blog.  The fact that all I’ve accomplished lately is consuming an incredible amount of comfort food doesn’t help, either.

Long, long, story short...  please forgive my absence, and watch for things to resume funniness shortly.  I don’t like me like this, so I won’t expect you to, either.

Oh, and I WILL be asking for the help I need to get some things done around here.  Sometimes a bad mood is just a bad mood!

On to better things...

xoxo,

Tami

Parenting issues

It’s a beautiful day outside.  The sun is shining, there’s a gentle breeze, the humidity is under control... and the kids are out there screaming, fighting and just generally trying to cripple each other’s self-esteem.  Soooo glad it was only a half day of school!  (Sarcasm is ugly.)  

Truth be told, they have been owley since the moment their beautiful blue eyes opened this morning.  Previously very excited to participate in “Bike to School Day”, the older two kids wouldn’t eat, get dressed, or clean themselves up this morning, except in slow motion.  They fought me at every turn, and finally, I ended up driving them to school, and we were still almost late.  Seeing all the other families biking in together made me actually cry as I dropped them off.  I have no control over this family!  The puppy, too.  She decided that 20 minutes alone in the car was offensive enough  that she should punish me by destroying the cables for our portable DVD player.  Since I’m driving cross-country in two weeks, this is just about all I can handle.  It adds up to a pounding headache and a very poor attitude on  my part.  This is a huge shame, since I had planned to take them all on a picnic when I picked them up.  No more of that.  Rewarding bad behavior is just dumb, but...

Whoever dreamed up the idea that taking away privileges was a great deterrent for bad behavior was dreaming.  I’ve tried taking away actual things, then privileges, and tacked on chores as “punishment”.  None of these worked, and unfortunately, I don’t have a better idea.  I am feeling very inadequate, and wondering how I am ever going to manage a week-long trip in June, with 3 kids and a dog in the car.  I think I may be having to re-think that.

Sorry to be such a Debby Downer today.  I’m feeling kind of at my wit’s end.  If anyone has some words of advice and/or inspiration, I’d be glad to hear them.  

Next time will be much brighter, I promise!  

xoxo,

Tami

A funny for you, and a plea for me...

I just had a visit from my favorite brother's wife, who I haven't seen for almost a whole year!  Way too long, but it was sure nice to have a couple of hours to spend with her as she travels down to Tennessee to help her folks (snowbirds) prepare to make the trip back for the summer here in Wisconsin.

While she was here, she had to share with me the hysterical video I've attached below, and so now I am passing it on to you.  Goofy fun!

Hope that made you laugh...  it sure did me good to just giggle like a kid over it!

If you liked it, please feel free to spread the love!  It always makes me feel good to think I've brightened someone's day  :)

And if you like me, or just reading my nonsense, feel free to "Like" me on Facebook. Share the love, people!  Also, I'm always trying to figure out what y'all wanna read about, so don't be shy with comments, either good OR bad.  And finally, if you read me regularly, please consider becoming a Follower.  It's really only important to me, but I get a big rush whenever a new person comes on board!  Selfish much?  Yep, it's all about me!  ;)

Have a great night, everyone!

xoxo,

Tami

Progress and some sweet challenges

Losin' it

I promised you an update on my weight loss today, so here I am.  First, let me explain that I’m not doing anything with a plan, because I really kinda suck at that.  :)  

Well, I did follow South Beach after I had Li’l T, and I lost a TON, but that was in combination with breastfeeding.  It’s hard to say whether it would’ve been as successful with my normal metabolism.  Also, I had to stay in Stage 1 pretty much forever, because any carbs just sent me into a tailspin.  Unfortunately, I gained back what I had lost over the past 4 years, and so I had to start over.

And I did... one week ago.  First I looked at various websites, because I’m just not the “joiner” type.  I can’t imagine going to meetings, or talking to a coach.  I know myself well enough to understand that I wouldn’t follow through, so I skipped that whole avenue.

What I DID do, was find an online Calorie Calculator, which is really a basic tool to figure out how many calories you should consume each day to meet you weight loss goal.  I’m embarrassed to say I can’t find the exact page I used for this, but there are so many that you’ll be able to find one you like.  As I searched today, I punched in the exact numbers in to at least 5 different sites, and ALL of them are giving me a higher number of calories a day to keep losing (around 1500).  I hope to lose about 2 pounds a week, realistically.  My original site gave me 1265.  Per day.  Ouch!  But I did it!  And...

Not me... but that IS 5 lbs of fat in her belt.  NASTY!

That was 5 pounds ago!  Yep, I’m down a little over 5 pounds already, which is enough to inspire me to keep going, although I’m setting my calorie goal a bit higher for the coming week (maybe 1350?).  I use a really simple free program from Google

that resets daily, and I can add my own items when I need to.  It’s a way to keep myself honest, without joining anything.  Ha!

Now, about my challenges this week.  There was a Spring Carnival at the kids’ school on Friday.  And, way before I hit rock bottom regarding the size of my arse, I volunteered to bake some things for the Cake Walk.  I love to bake!  I love sweets!  What could go wrong?  Well, baking and not being able to lick the beaters.  Or “taste test” the scrumptious buttercream or (OMG!) Peanut Butter Frosting.  It was tough.  REALLY tough.  But I made it through.  AND I’m going to share some recipes with you, because life without treats is just wrong.  Right?

Just a few to choose from...  :)

This cake recipe was passed down to me through my Mom.  I just found out it was originally called WWII Cake, because the mayo was a substitution for eggs and oil that were so closely rationed that cake had become a precious commodity.  We just call it Mayonnaise Cake, which sounds so wrong, but tastes so right!

Mayonnaise Cake

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup Miracle Whip light
1 cup cold water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Add all ingredients as listed. Beat until well mixed. Bake in greased 9x13 pan for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until cake pulls away from sides of pan.  Do not overbake.   

For layer cakes, multiply ingredients by 1.5.  You can also substitute coffee for the water for an even deeper flavor.  Coffee right IN the cake... AWESOME!

I have always loved this cake with a simple buttercream frosting, or simple whipped cream on a slice of cake still warm.  Chocolate frosting seems to detract from my enjoyment of the richness of the cake.  Just my opinion!

I wanted to do something awesome for the Cake Walk, though, so I made Peanut butter frosting.  I’ve never made it before, and that’s probably a good thing, or I’d be totally obese.  OMG, it is so good!  If Reese’s peanut butter cups are a weakness of yours, this frosting, on THAT cake, is gonna rock your world.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 cup real butter

1 cup creamy Jif peanut butter

3 cups confectioners' sugar

milk as needed

In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in 1/2 of the confectioner's sugar. Use milk to bring the mixture back to creamy. Beat in the remaining confectioners' sugar. If necessary, add a little more milk until the frosting reaches a good spreading consistency. Makes enough to frost one 2 layer 9 inch cake or one 9x13 inch cake.

I modified this recipe from one by Suzanne Stull at allrecipes.com.

Garnish with Reese's Pieces, and...

beautiful!

Try them, and let me know what you think.  Separately OR together, these are life-changingly yummy.  (OK, not really.  But they are bee-lish-us!)

Tomorrow, or maybe the next day, I'll give you recipes for the reverse... peanut butter cake with a deep chocolate frosting.  See why I'm struggling???  :}

xoxo,


Tami