Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Boys First Quilt







Today was another gloomy day where I was once again queasy and my lower back was cramped up for no apparent reason. So, it was looking like a long, long day trying to keep the boys occupied without playing the Wii or watching TV.

What to do? What to do? How about help the boys make an easy quilt? Yeah. I popped three Advils and took out my iron and huge stash of garage sale cotton fabric. Armed with my "new" $5 Euro Pro sewing machine (it's the only one slow enough for the boys to use) and this baby quilt pattern from http://www.neverenoughhours.blogspot.com/ , we made this fun quilt. The boys sew all the pieces together (I cut and ironed for them). They got this done in about one hour. Tonight I will finished the backing since their little fingers had a hard enough time hold two pieces of fabric together.



Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Peanut Butter Pie...

So, why does one make lean turkey chili and eat a decent portion size? To be able to eat this. Really, I'm not doing anyone favors by printing this recipe down because it's so good and easy, you'll have it inhaled before it can even set. But oh well...I like to share my discoveries and have been quite selfish about sharing recipes via blogsville. Something about me and peanut butter-I really don't care if I don't have it. I don't go ga-ga over the stuff-but this pie...dear me my I've changed my tune.

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
4 oz. cream cheese (I used light)
1 cup powdered/confectioners' sugar
1- 8 oz. carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 graham cracker crust (I bet it would be even more irresistable with chocolate crust)
1/4 cup salted chopped peanuts

In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into prepared crust. Sprinkle with nuts. Chill until serving. Refrigerate leftovers (as if there'd be any left).

You've been warned.

Sick

I am finally over whatever was making me nauseous and lethargic. I just can't imagine how some feel this way all the time due to ear problems or upset stomach. I had vertigo for the first time in my life two years ago and I thought I was going to jump out of my body. Thank goodness the fix was just an over the counter drug. Another reason to be thankful for living in a country where I can go out and buy medicine that would help this. The only side effect was I was very, very sleepy. Now that I feel better, I can go and workout. My body definitely needs it.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Homemaker Ramblings

My job description on any application is Homemaker. I feel pride in this title. I have three bosses. Two assistant managers S.E. and Koo. One big boss Lovely Hubby. I get paid in hugs and kisses and the freedom to pretty much make my own schedule. What I've learned being a homemaker that maybe useful to others thinking of doing the same.

1) Don't forget to find time for yourself(for me it's exercise, reading, and sewing). One hour, squeeze it in. When I was new to this job, I felt guilty when I would take a break and felt like I was cheating my family for not being there. But, my health suffered and I was really short with the kids because I felt overwhelmed.

2) Be thrifty as much as possible because kids are expensive and I'm not just talkin' diapers. Everything is temporary except for the relationship you develop with your kids.

3) Don't forget to spend time with your love-the man who made it possible for you to stay home. Taking care and talking about the kids is not meeting all his needs. I'm only starting to be better at this. Date night. Budget it in.

4) Get a tough skin against negative/well-intentioned busybodies (like myself) on how you should raise your kids. You know what's best for them. Trust yourself. Even if what's best for them is uncomfortable for you.

5) Get up and get yourself ready like you would go to work. When you feel better and look better, life's just a little bit more manageable.

6) Your kids and hubby never get tired of hugs and kisses...really. I'm not a real touchy feely person and it was hard in the beginning to do this but now, I stop and just kiss them and hug them. Even if I spend most of my day with them.

Okay, so it might not be so helpful but I guess I needed the reminding.
Windy, windy weather. I know I don't have a thing to complain about regarding the weather because where I live, it's pretty cool for the most part. The only thing I detest is cold sideways rain brought on my heavy winds. The wind in these parts are out-of-control strong. Two years ago, 80 mile/hour winds blew down our Costco shed. Blew the top off. This probably wouldn't have happened if we had locked it. The wind pushed the doors open and voila the wind came in and in a matter of minutes took the top off.

Today is so windy, I am almost thankful my kids have this week off of school because I don't want to leave the house. The boys are playing I Spy and buliding houses with tape and construction paper. I cleaned my cupboards in my kitchen and rotated food. Hopefully, I'll get to sew for pleasure and go running at the gym.

Friday, October 22, 2010

My mom and dad are coming for a visit. Along with them, my younger sister and her three boys are coming too. I'll have a house full and am excited. In the past (about three years ago), I would fret and clean for a week straight before guests come. Now, I just walk around with a vacuum and suck up any dust, crumbs, or junk around the house. In addition, just making sure their beds are cleaned and made up and bathrooms sanitized. Along with a stocked fridge it took me almost two hours. So much happier with minimal cleaning and grooming. It gets dirty while they are here anyway. Why go to all the bother? I would rather save my energy and play with my nephews. Hopefully, if the weather permits, we will be swimming, walking to the park, and go to a corn maze. Should burn some energy out.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

I was thinking about what I would like my life to be like when I'm old. I mean grey-hair old. Given I reach this age range, I would like to be as it is now: being close to my boys, kissing my husband, and to be able to be able to have many people I love and care about near me. I hope to continue to be a good friend, wife, and most importantly mother (and grandmother I hope). I want to be the kind of grandma that attends all important and non-important functions of my grandkids. I hope my boys marry women who will allow me to overstep their personal space and can look at me wanting to spend as much time with them as possible-okay. I hope to be here long enough to see my boys turn to men. I don't know why I'm so sappy today. I guess I blinked and my boys are bigger, more independent and just too big for a lack of a better word. I've always said they are the sun and moon for me. May I always wake up and go to bed with both being present in my day.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Zumba

Zumba. Love Zumba. Equal to running, I love zumba. It's a hip-hop/salsa dance class and you dance for one hour straight. My arms are flinging. My pelvis is swinging and thrusting. I don't care if I look like I'm having a seizure. I just know my heart is in pure happy-mode in that hour I am dancing. My trainer thinks I should train so I can get lean and be in a rapper's video. The hot babes that dance around them. Yeah no. With Zumba and a full attire, I at least can dance better and have pure enjoyment in doing something that makes my heart laugh. Everyone needs to try Zumba. If nothing else, learn one move and show your husband. It's bound to make nightime rituals more entertaining.
My skin is looking better again and I'm healthy. In addition, my boys have been staying healthy and happy. My lovely husband has been having a lot of sinus issues for the past year or so and finally, he's doing a little better. Really can't complain about life. It's been really good to me and I wanted to take a moment to lament this because I don't want to take what I have for granted.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Dear skin,
Please don't itch. Please stop breaking out in little hives. Please. Please. I know you didn't like it when I messed with raspberries and other berries and pitched a huge fit all over my body. I won't eat any fruit and will try to not be depressed over the extra pound or two I gained due to it. Not an apple. Not a banana. Nothing. Promise. Just let me heal. I'm tired of scratching all night long. I'm tired. Please.

Yours forever,
Me

Car talk

"Mom, do you think Koo and I will ever meet the real Santa or do mommies just go out and buy presents?" -S.E.

"Why do you ask S.E.?" -Me

"Well, I was thinking he's very busy trying to remember the little good kids and he might not have time to get it all done." -S.E.

Such big, big dilemma for a six-year old.

Opposites

Two boys. Came out of the same two sets of genes. But so different. S.E. is mild-mannered and clean. I mean the kid eats clean, plays clean, can go through a rough and tumble play in the woods and come out...well clean. This is the kid you want to get hand-me-downs from. His hands don't get sticky unnecessarily, his blanket and other personal toys are clean and in great shape considering wear and tear. The bottom of his white socks-stays white. And his shoes. No smell. None. Now, the thing about a clean and orderly kid is he is easily grossed out by sticky, itcky, smelly stuff. Enter Koo.

Koo on the other hand, is either happy or sad in a matter of three seconds flat. After he outgrows shirts and pants, they go the garbage pile. Stains. Check. Holes. Check. Unraveling of seams. Check. His place at the table after he's done eating is usually sticky and wet. If we are walking in a field, Koo will find the one poo pile left by dogs and step in it. I've have used sticks, water, soap, and paper towel combination many times to remove caked-on poo underneath shoes. Sometimes, I just give up and chuck the shoes. If there's stuck-on gum anywhere, he'll be digging it up to show me. What I love about him is he does all this and more whole-heartedly. He's more likely to go with the flow.

Two boys. Came out of same belly. Oh, so opposite. Both are the sun and moon for me. Thank goodness for opposites. If I had only one type I would not be as open-minded about how unique and special children are. The best lesson I've witness is tolerance for differences. The boys have had to adjust and accept each other's habits and try to make the best of the situation.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Thankfulness

I was remissed in mentioning all the hardwork of others around me and the sacrifice they've had to make so I could run. First and foremost, my lovely husband. Seriously, he has been patient and very supportive of me taking time out to train, bring me food, take care of the boys even when he wasn't feeling well, and to just have more faith in my ability than I had.

Next, my friends (and the boys surrogate aunt & uncle) Tia and Tio for taking my boys on a journey to Portland this past weekend so I could just focus on the race. My boys had an absolute fantastic time and they are ready to go next year. I'm not sure I can take another two straight days without my kids being an hour or so near. I will admit I had to look at a lot of pictures of them and called them way too many times during their time away but I missed their spirit in our home. Lovely and I spoke of how quiet it was around the house without them-and clean.

To my friends and trainers who only spoke of encouraging words and to support me when I believed I couldn't possible run a marathon. Also this may sound cheesy but whenever I was running a long run, I would think as I'm running along by myself, that I was actually being carried by God.

Now, this marathon didn't define me, what it did was a symbol of how strong I am to do something I never thought I could do. Whatever your "marathon" moment is, I hope this blog finds someone whose looking for that extra encouragement to push yourself.

Not bad for an overweight, pre-diabetic mom who two years ago couldn't make it through the day without taking six Advils just to do normal tasks.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

10-10-10 marathon.

My husband heard a saying "If you don't do something outside your comfort zone, you won't grow". Well, I was uncomfortable to say the least today. I ran my very first marathon. Full. I did it. I was scared. I hurt. It was extraordinary. I pushed my self to run straight for 5 hours and 18 minutes. No walking. No crazy speed. Slow and steady and I did it. Me. Former fat kid picked last in any sports-taking over 30 minutes to just run 1 mile. Like being pregnant, given enough time, I maybe could be talked into doing it again.

I had a great support team of friends and family saying I could do it and to my friend Ro for driving and just being a security blanket on race day in case I needed help. Last but not least, to my friend Mr. Beefcake for not only telling me I could do this but helped me train for this run. On top of it, he ran it too.

So what did I learn? Even when you want to give up-stick to your commitment and have the courage to do it-even when you are afraid to.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Priorities

I've been off-kiltered with my priorities lately. I am a stay-at-home MOM. But lately, I've been getting short with the kids and not having time to do things like read to them, wrestle with them, volunteer in their classrooms (like I've always wished my mom could do when I was little and scared to be in a school not understanding much English). I find I'm short with them, not really helping or asking them about their schoolwork or show much interest when I drop them off at school.
Also, I have not made time for studying the Bible and continuing my relationship with God. I mean a deliberate relationship with him. I'm finding that I when I'm helping the kids with their verses, I just want them to memorize them-not explain what those verses mean. Something has to give.

So I am halting my alterations-on-the-side job. I don't make enough for the time I spend on stuff and I'll pick it up again once both boys are in school for more than two hours. I thought I could do this but I'm finding that any extra "free" time at home is spent working on fixing clothes for others. While I enjoy this, I love my boys so much I don't want to miss what it means to be a mom whose job is to help raise well-rounded boys and to stare at my husband for more than 10 seconds without wondering if I can sneak a moment downstairs to work. He works hard enough for us...So, I'm finishing up the last of my obligations and I'm done. Only for pleasure and for fun. I hope you all understand. My boys won't stop growing-they need my full attention.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Rice and Beans


AAAHHHH. I got home from church this morning to find these two tupperware filled with hot and yummy rice and beans. These are not your typical rice and beans. These are made by my Peruvian friend Tia P. She does amazing things to beans. I was never a big fan of beans-until I ate hers. Oh goodness. She was over last night and I told her I was craving her beans and asked if I gave her some Peruvian white beans could she make me some? Well...I am in heaven. So delicious. She is my favorite cook. She is not shy about using herbs and spices to turn up the flavor profile to "off-the-charts" goodness. I have to go now and pig out on rices and beans. Sorry hubby about the kickback tonight.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

26.2 miles on 10/10/10

Really. I'm actually going to do this. I think I've been in denial for awhile but I'm doing it. I may have to walk some of it but I'll go until I can'ts go no more. There's a lot of run around the country on this particular date but the one I'm going to is only an hour away in the nearest big city but I think the "cool" one is in Portland, OR. I'm hoping the one I will do will not be as crowded and I can drive home without sitting in a car for 6 hours. Wish me luck. I'm scared but like childbirth and public speaking, it's satisfying once accomplished. May God carry me when I am unable to carry myself. I won't be alone.