The Yummiest, Easiest, Most Sinful Treat Ever

I am so lucky. I have a friend who loves chocolate almost as much as I do.

(I'm pretty sure that the new Peanut will be born with a little Hershey's Kiss paper hanging out of the side of her mouth, I've eaten that much chocolate this pregnancy)

She gave me the super-easiest and super-tastiest recipe ever. I have made this snack dozens of times and every time, people say, "Oh my gosh, these are delicious. How do you make them?" PLUS just for Halloween time, I'm gonna get all trick-or-treatery on you and Halloween it up.

Oreo Truffles
1 package Oreos (I like to use double stuff) - the 18 oz. package
1-2 bags chocolate chips (or chocolate bark)
1 8-oz. brick of cream cheese
1 Tbsp. shortening
(optional) sprinkles or crushed up cookie bits

1. Take the Oreos out of the box and crush them up.

I have used a ziploc bag with a meat mallet before, but that usually makes the white stuff stick to the bag. So now, I just use a big knife to cut them into tiny pieces. If you have the Pampered Chef food chopper (or some paltry look-alike wannabe), you could chop them up that way too.

2. Unwrap the cream cheese from the foil and soften it slightly in the microwave (like, 30 seconds on 50% power). Combine it with the crushed cookie bits and stir it up until the ingredients are well blended.


Form into small walnut-sized balls (I use the Pampered Chef small scoop). (No this is not a promotion for Pampered Chef, I am not a consultant, I'm not being paid for this, I didn't receive any free products, I've just been invited to WAAAYYYY too many home shows). Place the balls on a wax-paper-lined tray and chill them while you're melting the chocolate coating.

3. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and the shortening. One bag (12 oz.) of chips will suffice but I like to use more because the work gets a little messy and I like to have plenty of chocolate on hand. Anyway, melt the chocolate chips and the shortening together in the microwave, stirring every minute or so. It'll probably take about 5 minutes. OR you can use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips/shortening. I use my Pampered Chef double boiler for that, but do I really need to give you the link?

4. Remove the Oreo Balls from the fridge and dip them in the melted chocolate, turning to coat.

Place them back on the tray to go back into the fridge.


(Optional) You can, at this point, sprinkle some sugar crystals or jimmies on the chocolate coating before it sets, just for decoration. These little guys are delish all on their own. But a little color may make them more festive when you're serving them.

5. Chill the Oreo truffles until the chocolate coating is hardened - about 30 minutes to an hour.

Voila! I'd like to say these things are addictive - okay, they kind-of are - but they are so rich that most people can't eat more than a couple without starting to feel woozy.

Have a wonderful, yummy, sinfully woozy Halloween!

I'm participating today in the recipe sharing over at Better In Bulk. Come check it out!

Texan Mama's Halloween Costumes

Ah, it's a shame that I don't have any pictures for this post. I really wish I did, but unfortunately Texan Granny and Texan PawPaw have all the pictures from my childhood.

As a child, I always wished for one of those chintzy store-bought costumes. You know the ones: Wonder Woman, Strawberry Shortcake, Smurfette. Alas, a plastic mask with elastic string was not meant to be. I was forced to look through our supply of thread-bare costumes that had been passed down from child to child in my family. Or, I could use my imagination to come up with something that cost as little money as possible.

One year I was a robot.

(this is not actually me. My costume was way lamer.)

I took a couple of boxes and taped them together. Then I covered them with tinfoil and glued on some carefully cut-out construction paper pieces for buttons and levers. the costume was pretty good, until I actually had to walk. Which is kinda necessary when wanting to, you know, trick-or-treat. But once I got mobile, I figured out how to maneuver inside the confines of an ill-fitting cardboard box. What I didn't plan for was that moving in between bushes would cause my shiny roboty body to shed its skin (aka my aluminum foil covering was left in bits and pieces throughout the neighborhood).

A couple of years later, I decided to be... grapes.

(Again, not me. My trick-or-treat pail was usually a lame paper bag from Kroger.)

I got the brilliant idea of taking my favorite purple nightshirt and getting a bunch of purple balloons, then blowing them up and pinning them onto my purple shirt (by the knotted tails, of course). In retrospect, this costume would have worked a lot better if I'd had some friends to dress up along with me as maybe a banana or an apple or a pear. But it was just me, flying solo, as... grapes. Every door I knocked on asked me, "So where's the rest of the Fruit of the Loom gang?" Of course I had to explain, "I am NOT a part of the Fruit of the Loom gang. I am just grapes." At the tender age of 9, I didn't know how to just laugh and say, "Heh heh, good one." Everything was deadly serious to me.

I've done all the typical costumes: Indian girl, clown, cowboy, baby, cheerleader, hula girl. I am so painfully unoriginal.

Halloween was never about the costume for me, though. It was always about the candy. Reese's, Hershey's, Kit Kat, those are the hat trick at Halloween for me. And, one thing I loved to do was to dump out all my candy on our ping-pong table when I was done trick-or-treating, and my brother would do the same. Our booty was separated by the 4-inch-high green nylon net. THEN... the wheeling and dealing would begin. "I'll give you my Mounds for your Baby Ruth." "Hmm, throw in a 3 Musketeers and you've got a deal." You get the idea.

And, I'm wondering, what's up with the candy hand-out? I'm actually glad that I take my kids around house to house, so I don't have to hand it out. I mean, when I was a kid, ya got ONE piece of candy per house. Nowadays, some people hand out small bags packed with goodies! I mean, who can afford that? I guess some people get really into Halloween, but why does "really enjoying a holiday" have to mean "spending more than is necessary or smart?"

Uh, is there a word for a person who's a scrooge at Halloween? Maybe Jason Vorhees? I guess that's me.

This post is from MamaKat's Writing Workshop. C'mon and play along!

My "First" Family

Halloween 2005 - Linus (3) as a bee, Charlie Brown (4) as a rock-climber, and Peppermint Patty (6) as an angel

I took this picture in the fall of 2005. Peppermint Patty was 6, Charlie Brown was 4, and Linus was 3. I love looking at pictures of my kids at that age... they were all learning to be independent, and they were able to communicate with me about their needs and their feelings, but they were still babies.

Heck, for that matter, when do they ever STOP being our babies?

But anyway, this was 2 years before Sally was born. I remember, right after Sally was born, feeling almost melancholy about the days when I had "my 3 kids". I got very used to this little pack of children and when Sally arrived on the scene, everything got turned upside-down. No longer could we all sit together and enjoy a family movie night, without me turning my attention to the baby. No longer could we make spontaneous plans, without bringing a diaper bag and a bottle and a stroller and making sure it wouldn't be nap time. As much as I loved and cherished this little one, I was sad about the change it was causing in my "New" family.

Now, I'm about to do that all again. The adjustment is different, though. I'm used to carrying a diaper bag and working a schedule around nap time. But for the past 2 years, once the older kids head off to school, it's just been the little Peanut and me on errands; the little Peanut and me for playgroup; the little Peanut and me snuggling on the couch. Now, Sally will have to share me with her new baby sister, which will be a shock to her system. And, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I'm ready to share her either.

I know, I know, it's all good. I am SO excited about the new baby. But change is never easy. It takes time to adjust and it makes us grow. Sometimes that growth is a welcome change and sometimes we are just along for the ride, kicking and screaming. But I know that in no time at all, I won't be able to imagine my family without the new little Peanut.

Halloween 2007 - Peppermint Patty (as a tooth), Linus (as Robin), Charlie Brown (as Batman), Sally (as a chili pepper - 1 month old) and me, with my classic "costume"

For other stories about "Ghosts of Halloween Past" go visit Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

A Halloween Craft so Simple Even A Caveman Can Do It

(Did you catch that little play on the Geico commercial?)

And, is it just me, or is it possible that Geico employs the absolute BEST advertisers ever? I mean, think about it: they have THREE really memorable ad campaigns going on AT THE SAME TIME. 1) The Caveman campaign (heck that one even got made into a short-running sit com!); 2) The Gecko Lizard with the British accent; and 3) The stack of money with the eyeballs - this is the money you could be saving with Geico. Kinda makes me wonder what they'll do next!

Okay, anyway, I digressed.

Here is a craft that is SO easy even your teeny tiniest preschooler can do it. It requires 4 supplies:
Black Yarn
Scissors
Plastic Spider Rings
Orange (or any color) paper plates


Instructions:
Prep - I guess that's not really necessary to have an orange plate, but it does make the end result look more Halloween-ey. If you use a white paper plate, you might choose to let your child color the plate first.
1. Use the scissors to cut some slits into the edge of the paper plate. Make the cuts about an inch long. Make about a 10-20 cuts. The actual number isn't really important.

2. Take a long length of yarn (about 2-3 yards) and tie a small knot at one end.


Put the knotted end on the back side of the paper plate and begin looping the yarn around the paper plate, hooking it into the slots. This is going to create a "web".
3. When you are out of yarn, or when you've filled up all the slits, tie another knot at the end of the yarn.

4. Hook some plastic spider rings into the web. (They are plastic and you can make a tiny cut in the ring loop so that the ring will hook into the yarn and then stay put).

5. If you want, you can also attach a separate yarn to the top of the "web" and hang it from the ceiling to display the artwork.

TAA-DAA!

For more Creepy Crawly crafts, go check out Mayhem and Moxie!

I'm a Stalker

Okay, I should just face it: I am a stalker.

No, not really. But when I heard that this bloggy friend is coming to Dallas in December, I pretty much jumped off my upside-down-plastic-tub-being-used-as-an-office-chair! And when I begged her to meet up with me, she didn't politely decline (or shrink away in nervous caution). She was all like, "Heck yeah I'll meet up with you!" Immediately I began to plan what I would wear, being about 10 days post-partum and nursing a baby and still harboring plenty of pregnancy belly. Still trying to decide between sequins and rhinestones.

And THEN, oh joy of joys, I found out that my super bloggity hero is coming to Dallas for a Cowboys game in November. Even though I could hardly contain my insane need to meet her for the first time, she agreed - optimistically - to meet me. Yet another wardrobe challenge, as it will be 2 days before my scheduled induction. So I will be so over-the-top (or should I say, beyond-the-front) pregnant that 90% of even my extra-largest maternity clothes will be stretched to the limit. I guess I should start searching now for an attractive tent. With either sequins or rhinestones, of course.

See? This is what the blogosphere is all about. Making connections. And then, as if by magic, the online connections become human connections.

I can't wait. I hope I don't wet my pants.

Before & After

A few days ago, I posted a vlog about my super messy utensil drawer in my kitchen. I was pretty surprised that a lot of you responded about having the same problem. Really, I thought I was the hugest slob I knew, so it's comforting to know that other people don't know what to do with their tongs either.

So, I simply decided to go to the dollar store and look for some containers. At first, I found some chintzy wicker baskets. I didn't like how they looked, but I figured they would work until I found something better. Then, as I continued to look around, I found some pretty great plastic-coated metal baskets. I put them in my utensil drawer and they fit perfectly. Plus they were only $1 each.

I didn't really organize my utensils by category or anything. I just kinda put short ones in the short baskets and long ones in the long basket. Then I put the very rarely used utensils in the back. I'm shocked how well it worked out. Plus, I did remove a few things that I don't think I'll need anytime soon, if at all. Things like: Candy thermometer, a third pair of tongs, and Christmas dip spreaders.

Now, just so y'all know, I already did have a can with wooden spoons and turners and spatulas on my countertop. Plus, I have a drawer dedicated to just "sharp things" like knives and scissors (and a knife sharpener, and flashlights, and car keys. I don't really think it's the best place to stick my hand and dig around for car keys! But for now, that's the place where the car keys live.)

By the way, I want to take just a sec to recommend my kitchen knives. They are AWESOME and they were VERY INEXPENSIVE and they were RECOMMENDED by a cooking magazine. I subscribe to Cook's Illustrated, which is kinda like a combination of a Gourmet magazine and Scientific American. They test recipes literally hundreds of times with different ingredients (like butter vs. shortening vs. vegetable oil vs. some of each, or cracker crumbs vs. panko vs. crushed cornflakes, etc.) and different cooking methods. They explain why certain methods or ingredients caused failure and why one particular combination resulted in the best outcome. That's awesome for me because I love to know, why can't I just use dried garlic powder instead of fresh minced garlic? Or, can't I just use chopped white onion instead of green onion or scallion? So anyway, my chef knives are from Forschner Victorinox. They were $25 each for the chef's knives and (I think) $10 for the paring knive. They have a wonderful rubbery grip and they aren't too heavy. I've had them for about 4 years now and I sharpen them with a very simple hand-sharpener and they stay awesomely sharp.

So, anyway, thanks for all the input! And here's hoping that I can keep my tools in some kind of order now.
This is what my countertop usually looks like. On a good day. When no kids have been around for a few hours. And I have a bucket of Otis Spunkmeyer pre-portioned cookie dough in the freezer, ready to be baked. And I am trying to avoid laundry and paying bills.

Flashback Friday: Aunt Flo

Oh, Aunt Flo, how I've missed you.

OH MY GOOD GOLLY I WAS JUST KIDDING... DID YOU THINK I WAS SERIOUS???? Being pregnant has many advantages, and not having a period for about 9 months comes in at #2 on the list (#1 being the ability to frolic between the sheets with no necessity for conception control!) But, all too soon, I'll be facing Aunt Flo again. I am one of the lucky gals who will probably have my monthly friend come to visit for a long, long time, if my mom and my sister were any kind of familial pattern for me to follow.

So, to welcome back Aunt Flo's impending arrival next month, this Flashback Friday is dedicated to her. Enjoy!

And don't forget to link up your own Flashback Friday post too!



(Originally Posted 8/30/08)

Aunt Flo

WARNING: If you are a guy, you may choose to skip this post. Unless, of course, you want to be really in touch with your partners' monthly cycle.

Okay, girls, I just want to know one thing: Am I the ONLY one who would rather throw away her underwear, no matter how new or cute, than scrub/bleach/soak a pair of panties to remove those disgusting stains from that time of the month? I don't exactly buy La Perla. My speed is more like Hanes Her Way. So, my time is worth something, yes? And I already soak pee-sheets and scrub spit-up stains. I don't really want the added chore, ya know?

Also, am I the ONLY one who, no matter whether or not you know it's time for Aunt Flo to arrive, still forget to wear anything to protect said panties and end up ruining same said panties?

Here's a funny convo I had with Texan Papa after last month's visit from Aunt Flo:

TP: Umm, can you put your personal products away, like in the cabinet?

TM: Yep, sure, except during the week when I need them.

TP: Why can't you keep them put away all the time?

TM: Well, because when I'm sitting on the toilet, and need a PRODUCT, I can't exactly get up and move about the bathroom freely to fetch my products. Especially since I keep the products in the cabinet above the toilet which necessitates me STANDING ON THE TOILET to get them down. Besides, why does it matter?

TP: Because they're your personal products. I don't want to see them.

TM: YOU'VE BEEN MARRIED TO ME FOR 10 YEARS!!! Besides, what's the big deal? It's not like anyone else uses that bathroom besides us.

TP: Yeah. I use it. And I don't want to see that stuff. Can't you get that stuff down when you know you're going to need it?

TM: Well, sorry but I can't help ya. Unless of course YOU want to clean up little blood droplets off the carpet. You, not me. And you'll know where that blood came from.

TP: Just forget it.

TM: Yeah, that's what I thought you'd say.

Makin' Lemonade

So, after I posted this post a couple of days ago, I got a bunch of wonderful comments. Mostly, it was people who were saying, "My public school is great! Don't think all public schools suck. It's just probably your school - your school needs to make changes," etc. etc. That made me feel marginally better, although I began to feel even more stuck. We can't really afford to go back to private school and the public school has a bunch of sour-pusses in it.

Then I got comments from Angie and Tammie. And, boy, did those comments make me think.

After all, I *DID* ask for perspective, right? And, those ladies sure did deliver. In a good way. In exactly the way I needed it.

So, today I have conferences set up with Charlie Brown's teacher and also Peppermint Patty's teacher. This is because the regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences were held 2 weeks ago, and Charlie Brown ended up staying home with fever that day, so I had to cancel. But, previous to this post, I was all ready to go into the meeting with my poker face on and my guns blazing. I have PRECIOUS CHILDREN and YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS I DO and SOMETHING MUST CHANGE IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE I GO ALL APE-SHIT ON YOUR ASS!!!

And now? Now I'm ready to sit and hear what they have to say. I'm ready to listen with an open mind. I'm prepared for my children to get less-than-glowing reports. I'm okay with holding back on offering my 2 cents about their teaching techniques. But, mostly, I think I'm ready to focus on the good things they have to say instead of the bad things. Because I have to admit, these teachers at my kids' school, they aren't all bad. They have high expectations for their students (isn't that what we wanted???) and they expect the students to meet those expectations (consistency - an awesome practice). I think they have too many stupid rules at that school, but after talking to my friends whose kids also go to public school, I'm finding out that our school really isn't that different. ALL public schools nowadays have a policy for everything from what type of shoes you can wear to how long you can observe your kid in class each week. The change has just been a shock to my system.

As much as it stung to hear someone tell me what I needed to hear, it was good for me. It helped me really think about WHY I was so critical of my kids' school(s).

I guess I always looked at those hovering moms (some call them "helicopter moms") and thought, "tsk, tsk, why won't they just give their kids some space?!?!" And now I just can't be objective enough to figure out if I'm one of those moms too. I don't think my kids are perfect, but maybe I am not being realistic either.

Maybe those teachers really *DO* love my kids.

Maybe those teachers really *CAN* teach my kids how to succeed.

Maybe those teachers *ARE* smarter than me, when it comes to teaching primary school.

Maybe, just maybe, their methods will make Peppermint Patty better at being less forgetful. (At home she can't remember where she put anything and immediately forgets simple requests. At school she forgets to bring home her homework at least once a week. Well, here's hoping.) Maybe a different adult - besides his nurturing mother - will get Charlie Brown to focus his inquisitiveness instead of simply rushing to get his work finished before anyone else. And, I have a good feeling that Linus is going to grow up a lot this year. I like that his teacher doesn't hold back on the expectations OR on the praise.

So thank you to everyone who commented. It was a perfect mix of support and perspective and advice. Y'all have no idea how valuable that is.

Or, maybe you do.

(in case you don't understand the title of the blog, it's from the saying, "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade".)

Wordless Wednesday: I Think I'll Call Her Violet

I Don't Wanna Go To School!

I really need to get some perspective about school. Specifically, public school. More specifically, this public school that my kids attend.

I will be the first person to admit, I am not thinking objectively about this situation. I am my kids' mother. I want to protect them with every fiber of my being. I am the lioness and they are my cubs. I pity anyone who gives my children any grief, because I WILL be all up their face about it.

Until this year, my kids have always loved school. And, truthfully, the school people have always loved them. Praised them. Encouraged them. All until this year. I don't know if it was just luck, or if it was because they were at a smaller school, or (and this is what I really think) if it was because we were at Christian schools. But, whatever the reason, my kids no longer like school. They don't want to go. They don't feel valued, or loved, or even liked. They feel like they are trapped into daily failures. And, frankly, I feel the same way.

Since the first day of school, smiling teachers have been the exception rather than the rule. What's up with that? It's only been 8 weeks so far. Is it against policy for teachers to be friendly to students? Are they afraid that it will diminish their power? And, speaking of power, I want to know what's up with the huge laundry list of rules that are awesome for keeping children in line like robots. But really, when are the kids supposed to be thinking for themselves, and encouraged to make smart choices? How can they ever make a choice when every detail of the day is specifically spelled out for them. Today I went up to sit with Linus at lunch. He had to go to the bathroom but told me he's not allowed to go during lunch (I can kinda understand but I think it's a stupid rule, especially for someone in 1st grade). So I told him, you can probably just go after lunch, before you go out to recess. He said, "NO, we're not allowed to go then either." I was all, "You must be joking. We'll see about that." So I asked a teacher if Linus could go to the bathroom if I escorted him. She gave me a look that said hmmm, well, I'm not supposed to do that. Finally she said, "I guess it's okay." And of course, she didn't look me in the eye or smile.

And, Linus told me that he already got a lowered behavior mark for today because he was making faces at a girl in the hall. This is a girl who is his friend, someone he told me he makes faces at (and she back to him) on the bus every day, just having fun. But, I guess having fun is strictly forbidden.

It's hard for me to type this, because I know there are two sides to every story. Plus, I've been a teacher so I know how important it is for a teacher to keep control of her class. At the same time, I also know that by being too much of a hard-ass, you can break a child's spirit and a teacher can be an integral part of a student losing his or her love of learning. The opposite is also most definitely true: a teacher who inspires, encourages, and connects with students can help them rise to new academic heights and achieve more than they ever believed they could.

It's just such a wishy-washy area. I would hope that one of the common goals of all teachers, mainly teachers at the elementary level, and specifically the teachers at my kids' school, would be to foster a love of learning while at the same time communicating high expectations for the students. The high expectations are certainly there. So high and so numerous that I feel sorry for my kids having to attend that school. If I were a student at that school, I would live in constant fear of breaking a rule simply because I couldn't keep track of all the rules to follow! But while having high expectations, shouldn't there also be a desire to make the children feel valued and loved?

I think that's a big part of public school that is missing. It was evident and wide-spread at every parochial school my kids have ever attended. The teachers loved being there and the students were made to feel that school is a fun place to be. The students knew that someone loved them (specifically: Jesus) and that the teachers loved them too. They were worthy of love. But at the public school, I feel like my kids are just one more butt in a desk. One more paper to grade in the stack. One more head to count in the lunchroom line-up.

So, I have to know - from any parents out there whose kids attend public schools - is this the way it is at all public schools, or does mine just need a shot in the arm of "friendly juice"?

Being Average is Okay

Do you know what a Flip video camera is?
If you don't, that's good. Because if you did, it would be one more thing you'd have on your list to save up for, or dream about buying, or convince yourself that you reeeeeeaaaalllyyy need.

Like me.

You see, Scary Mommy is having a contest, searching for women who claim to be the "Scariest Mommy".

The winner gets a Filp Camera! WHEE!!! I *SO* want that prize. Have I mentioned that I'm going to have a baby really soon? And it would be so awesome to bring a Flip Camera to the hospital instead of my huge-ass Hi-8 Sony Camcorder that sounds like a 1950's-era heating unit kicking on every time I press "record".

But anyway, onto my scariness. Or, rather, the lack thereof.

I would love to write about how I totally kick ass when it comes to breastfeeding. Or, how my kids may act up but when push comes to shove, they know to fear my wrath. And, that I can fashion a slew of leftovers into a gourmet meal.

But really? I'm just average.

My very best dish is homemade Chicken Noodle Soup. I use store-bought noodles, a chicken breast or two, some cut-up carrots, cut up onions (or even dried chopped onions if I'm in a pinch), and chicken bouillon. I'm certainly no Wolfgang Puck. But my family loves it.

And, when it comes to being a Chief Home Executive, I should probably abdicate my role to someone else more capable, like our dog. I have piles of bills all over the house, all of which are waiting to be filed and some of which are waiting to be paid. But I've never been sent to collections yet, so I guess I'm doing something right.

So, I'm good but not great. I'm satisfied but not ecstatic. I'm patient but sometimes I explode. I'm on top of things but occasionally something slips through the cracks.

I don't know if I really deserve the title of "Scariest Mommy". I have a supportive husband. We have a good marriage. He is an awesome dad and he even encourages me to go on a girls' week trip every year with my friends. My kids are all healthy and happy and smart. None of them have any learning disabilities or physical disabilities or social problems. And, I know I'm biased but I think they are all really adorable! My extended family is all really normal and I'm super close to them. I even really enjoy my in-laws!

So, I'm not exactly "the phoenix rising out of the ashes". I feel like the worst thing I've had to overcome in my whole life is never being picked for Homecoming Court. I've never faced divorce or injury or death. I'm not exactly a testament to women who've overcome adversity in order to build a successful life for themselves.

So, does this make me unexciting? Maybe. But I am real. I have real experiences and I can listen. I am a good friend and I don't pretend to be something I'm not. With me, what you see is what you get. I believe tactful honesty is more important than telling someone what they want to hear just to make them feel better. Quite often, I don't notice when people lose or gain weight because I have long since quit noticing my friends' bodies. Looking them in the eye is much more important to me now. And, if anyone is ever afraid of offending me, I tell them, "oh, hey, you're going to have to do a LOT more than that to hurt MY feelings." I love making my friends feel safe with me, that our friendship is not so fragile that just a few words can be twisted into some tangled mess and compromise something genuine. I don't give out my love to just anyone, and if I love you then it's because I see real value in you. You deserve the benefit of the doubt and a second (or third or fourth) chance when you screw up and most of all, forgiveness. Because I need forgiveness too.

So, although my story is pretty mediocre - at BEST - I think that's okay. For so long, I hated the idea that I was just an average person. I'm very nondescript. I'm just another Stay-At-Home-Mom on the block. But, looking at what I've got, I know I'm blessed.

So, even though I'm not so scary, PLEASE leave a comment if you think I should win the Flip camera. Because, you know you want to. Our little baby wants me to have it. (That's a shameless plug, isn't it?)

I'm Fishing For Some Advice

C'mon, peeps. Help a Texan Mama out.

Flashback Friday: Pimp My Yams

It's officially fall. And, you know it must be true if I'm even saying that in Texas. Okay, Okay, we DID have our A/C on just two days ago, but it is officially fall now because the pumpkin patch is open up the street. SO it must be fall, right?

Therefore, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and all that yummy food. Personally, I will NOT be celebrating Thanksgiving this year, unless my mom decides to cook because I will have an extremely newborn baby and won't feel like slaving over a turkey all day. Actually, the slaving over the turkey is no big deal, it's all the other crap that goes along with it: real cranberry sauce (none of that canned junk), mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, rolls, yada yada yada.

So, I thought I'd post a great recipe that I found a few years ago. It's for a sweet potato souffle. It is WAY better than sweet potatoes with nasty marshmallows in it. Trust me when I say, your guests will love this dish. Plus, you can prepare it the night before and refrigerate it, then just pop it in the oven to cook when the timing is right. I'm all about easy.



Pimp My Yams
Originally posted 11/19/08

Yo Yo Yo, all you giblet-lovin fools out there in Bloggy-Land,

ARE YOU READY TO START KICKIN' IT FOR T-DAY?

Okay, Tattooed Minivan Mom is having a Thanksgiving Recipe Exchange so I decided to pipe in.

Now, Here's the 411 on the Texan Household Thanksgiving: We do it small. Usually I just roast a boneless turkey breast. I know, pathetic, right? But it's just me and Texan Papa and the 4 Peanuts. Well, baby Peanut (aka Sally) doesn't eat much, and for that matter neither do the other Peanuts. But they INHALE the mashed potatoes. So, we do the usual carb-laden meal: stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and the other "healthy" option too: corn or green beans (I gave up long ago doing the GB Casserole - I love it but got many dirty looks from the Peanut gallery - like "why have you mutilated my precious plain green beans into this creamy, soupy, mess? And what are those brown crunchy things on top? For the Love Of ALL THINGS GOOD AND HOLY, just give me my PLAIN GREEN BEANS or I will MELT DOWN RIGHT HERE AT THE TABLE!!!")

We have long since abandoned getting together with family. Some might say, "Aww, that's really sad." Now, next Thursday, when you are at your relatives' house, wishing the meal would just be ready already, and your kids are like 2 hours overdue for a nap, and you're sweating bullets every time your toddler gets near your hostess' priceless crap tchotchkes, you'll be saying to yourself, "Man I wish I was at my own house like Texan Mama is in hers." Yeah, no relatives to entertain. No long road trip to endure. No hurrying up at one house so we can go gorge ourselves at another house 2 hours later. Living far, far away from any relatives really has its advantages.

Anyhoo, back to the recipe exchange. Now, I hate sweet potatoes. I think they look like a big orange turd. I think they smell disgusting and look disgusting. So, guess what I'm going to share with you? YES, A RECIPE FOR SWEET POTATOES. Enjoy. I cannot claim credit for this recipe. It came from the cookbook "Saint Louis Days, Saint Louis Nights" published by the Junior League of St. Louis. I have made this recipe many times to rave reviews (as I have with many recipes from this cookbook - I highly recommend it), although I have never actually tasted it. I've been told that it's a nice new twist for Sweet Potatoes, and it's not overly sweet like the traditional dishes which have marshmallows in them.

Sweet Potato Souffle with Pineapple and Coconut

(oh, btw: I use crushed Pecans in place of the coconut. Even though I hate sweet potatoes, I hate coconut even more.)

8 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 well-beaten eggs
1 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup drained, crushed pineapple
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup coconut (remember, I sub pecans for this, but it's your call)

• Wash sweet potatoes and place in a jellyroll pan. Cover with foil.


• Bake at 400 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes until fork completely penetrates potato.


• Cool, peel, and put potatoes in a large mixing bowl. (VERY large - there's going to be a lot!)


• Mash potatoes until smooth. Stir in margarine and sugars.


• Add the eggs, and baking powder, pineapple, and salt. Mix well.


• Transfer ingredients into a well-greased 2-quart casserole dish.


• Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.


• Remove from the oven and cover the souffle with coconut pecans. (I put them in a nice little border around the outside of the pan, then add a few whole pecans at the center.)


• Bake an additional 10 minutes (or until light brown).

Other notes: 8 "medium" sweet potatoes - really, all sweet potatoes are pretty big. My suggestion is to first cook the potatoes and mash them, then look at how much will fit into a 2-quart casserole. If you have too much, don't use the extra potatoes b/c it will make too much and also the proportions of the other ingredients won't be right. ALSO, I have successfully made this dish with butternut squash puree - but that's an extra step where you have to add brown sugar to it too. If you're really interested in this just email me and I can give you the extra ingredients.

Okay, go. Cook. Sweat. Gorge. Bloat. And, Enjoy.

Random Thoughts Tuesday

Yes, I know it's Wednesday. WOO HOO Hump Day!!! I love to say that. But, anyway, I know Random Thoughts Tuesday was yesterday, but Tuesday was kinda like Monday because of Columbus day, so this counts right?
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Do you think wheelchair races are only for paraplegics? I mean, just because a person is competing in a wheelchair race doesn't mean they necessarily are in a wheelchair the rest of the time. Do you think a normally-functioning adult could participate in the wheelchair race? Maybe there's a person out there with really excellent upper body strength who can really get a wheelchair movin. Who knows?
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Why does Elmo always refer to himself in the 3rd person? Like "Elmo loves his goldfish. His crayon too. That's Elmo's World." But it's Elmo who's singing it. Doesn't Sesame Street think that will confuse kids? Maybe it's a marketing tactic, to get the word "Elmo" said as many times as possible. Come to think of it, that might be a fun college drinking game: Watch Sesame Street and everytime the word "Elmo" is said you have to drink.
***********************
Linus wants to be Jesus for Halloween. Seriously. He wants to carry a big cross and everything. Would that be heresy?

That's what I'm thinking about today. You're probably asleep by now, right?

Is the N-Word PC?

So, the other night I was walking around Target, minding my own business and putting WAY too many items into my cart. As I was rounding the corner near sporting goods, I hear a young kid yell,

"Go, ni****! GO!"

My jaw hit the floor in shock. The first thing I thought was, "Did I just hear what I think I just heard?"

When the kids came into view, I saw a black tween, probably 10 or 11, pushing another younger black kid (his little brother, maybe?) in a shopping cart. The child looked to be about 5. So, the person with the offensive language was approximately Kindergarten-age.

Super.

I looked at the kids, and they looked back at me, then I just moved on. I didn't glare at them or give them the evil eye. I just wanted my look to let them know, "Hey, I heard what you said." I had hoped that their embarrassment was enough punishment for them, but who knows.

I can't help but wonder, where did that kid learn that language? From his friends? His family? I am pretty sure you can't hear that language on TV anymore and if you can, it certainly is not a TV program intended for 5-year-olds. Even in today's modern society, where freedom of speech is some folks' personal religion, even the n-word has become worse than any 4-letter word that I can think of.

But, I do know that some people in black culture would say that it's okay for one black person to call another black person the n-word. WHY??? I don't get that. I mean, would it have been okay if my kids called each other "honkey" or "cracker"? I certainly don't think so.

Words are powerful. They can lift a person up and motivate them toward greatness. They can inspire. They can heal. They can encourage. They can also hurt, and mock, and tear a person's esteem to shreds. So, considering how many words are in our English language, why is this word being turned into something acceptable, using "culture" as an excuse? And, doesn't use of that word just proliferate the stereotypes that black people are trying to escape? Which, again, begs the question why would anyone in black culture consider using the n-word as acceptable? Even if it's not acceptable, why would it be anything other than offensive, as would be if a non-black person used that word?

I am part German, part Polish, and part Irish. Would it be okay for me to hate Jewish people and say, "Oh it's just part of my German heritage!" Or how about if I talked incessantly and developed a drinking problem? Could I excuse it away because of my Irish heritage? I don't think so.

I am so relieved that my children weren't with me to hear that. I think they honestly wouldn't even know it was a bad word or that it had any bad meaning, because I have never said that word and I can't remember ever talking about it with my kids either. They may have heard it in school by now, but I just don't know.

What do you think about all this?

Nesting

Well, I guess my body is telling me that the end is near. The end of my pregnancy, that is. I am actually due on 11/24, two days before Thanksgiving, but I've already spoken to my doctor about inducing me on the 23rd and he's all for it. As a matter of fact, he wanted me to induce the week before but I don't want to do that. Every day in the oven is one more day my bun is healthier and bigger (and not exposed to the swine flu!)

So, my Saturday was spent rearranging Baby Sally's room. I put the dresser into the closet to make room for a toddler bed for her, which of course she wants no part of. It will be a rude awakening for her (and us, ha ha) when she has to give up her crib for her baby sister. This is actually the longest any of my kids have been in a crib; my older three all were climbing out by age 18 months. But little Baby Sally is content in her crib, bless her heart. I also took a bunch of stuff out of the drawers in the dresser so that the new baby can have a few drawers of her own. And toys got put into boxes and stored under beds. Books found a new home in a small cabinet. And, I swear, if I get one more fru-fru-frilly baby blanket I will poke my eyes out. Usually they are scratchy and delicate and completely decorative. The only ones my kids use are the basic fleece ones. I shouldn't be unappreciative, though. I know the people who give them to us put a lot of work into them. But, I just wonder if they realize that all their hard work is getting folded up and put on a shelf or in a box.

Tonight, after getting the kids to bed, I made a mad dash to Target. I just HAD to get some time by myself. I shopped leisurely in and out of the aisles. (This of course always leads to triple the bill I'm expecting). By the way, did you know that Target also matches competitor advertised prices (just like Wal-Mart does)? And, did you know that Target will give you 5 cents off your bill for every reusable bag that you bring in and is used in your order? It's making me want to become a regular Target shopper instead of Wal-Mart. Although, I am disappointed sometimes with the selection of items at Target. They don't carry as many brands of items as Wal-Mart does, which makes it hard to use coupons sometimes.

Anyway... When I got home I finally pulled down the box of 0-6 month baby clothes out of the attic. This is usually the VERY last step for me when getting ready for a baby. I don't know what it is... if I am afraid I'll jinx myself by getting the clothes ready too early, or if I know I'll just be making the waiting that much harder if I have all those teensy weensy clothes to look at for weeks on end. But, I am glad I got the clothes down now. I saw a pair of shoes that I bought for Baby Sally 2 years ago. I remember searching for shoes because all the ones I found that were size 0 or 1 were TOO BIG. Gah! I can't believe it. She wears a size 7 now. And the size 1 diapers... do you know how TINY they are??? I now have two baskets of diapers on the changing table shelf... one of size 5's and one of size 1's. It's hard to believe that the baby's booty is that itty-bitty. But, I guess, if it were any bigger I'd be in a lot of trouble.

Okay, TMI time... here's your chance to click away... all my labors have been really easy. I'm hoping that this one is easy too, and without incident. Baby #1: Labored about 11 hours, pushed for 20 minutes. Baby #2: Labored for about 10 hours, pushed about 10 minutes. Baby #3: Labored about 8 hours, pushed for 7 minutes. Baby #4... Well, let's put it this way: the doctor came in at 6:00 and saw I was at 10 cm. By 6:30 he had left the room after I'd delivered the baby and the placenta and he'd already sewn me up. With Baby Sally (#4) they were like, "Okay, it's time to push. Now... push. Push. OKAY STOP PUSHING!!!" So, I guess I kinda hope that I don't have a really big sneeze or anything once I'm close to my due date because who knows what could happen.

So, I'm really excited for this baby to come. I think I am more excited for this one than any other, maybe because I'm pretty sure this is going to be the LAST bambino. I say "pretty sure" because nothing permanent has been done and I guess there's always a chance to have more... but I really feel like I'm done. I feel this more than I ever felt with my other kids. I just know that having more kids would make me REALLY crazy and as much as I'm enjoying motherhood now, I don't want to turn my life upside down again with 3 (more) small children really close in age the way my first 3 were.

Well, I think I'd better get of the computer now. Those baby clothes have been soaking in the wash machine for a while, so I think it's time for them to be rinsed out & put in the dryer. Every time I see those tiny little baby socks and onesies and hats, my uterus skips a beat!

Flashback Friday: A Letter To Myself at 18

Howdy Y'all! It's time for

FLASHBACK FRIDAY!!!!

It's been a long week... do you really want to think up something new to say? C'mon, just dust off an old post and recycle it here! Then come back and link up so we can all visit each other!

Since I was all self-reflectiv-y and stuff yesterday, I thought I'd just go with that and repost a letter to myself when I was 18.

(Originally posted 8/10/08)

Texan Mama Reflects Back...

I really believed I knew it all when I was 18. Now I know I don't know it all but I sure know a lot more than I did a half-life ago. So here goes...


Dear future Texan Mama,

This year seemed like a breeze for you, your senior year of high school, but don't rest on your laurels. Senior year seemed easy because it WAS easy... Keyboarding? Drama class? C'mon. You even took a simpler math class than you should've and your best subject is math!!! Next year, though, you will be working a lot harder and realize that if you'd worked as hard in high school you would be graduating with a 4.0. But try to keep up those study habits in college.

And, when it comes to habits, you'd best curb those spending habits. I know that right now you don't completely understand how credit cards work. So, don't charge more than you can afford to pay off every month. Don't go thinkin' that you can just let the balance go for a month or two; before you know it you'll have a ton of debt and only be able to pay the minimum balance. So I'd suggest that you cut up that credit card in your wallet right now. But let's face it, I know you won't.

Next, don't be afraid to take risks. Right now you're okay with doing things that all your friends are doing. Also okay would be things that you positively know 100% how they'll turn out. But every once in a while, jump in the water and get wet. Learn how to deal with being uncomfortable for a little while because once you adjust, your eyes will be opened to so many things that you'll never realize if you try to live your whole life taking the safe route. Don't be afraid to take the road less traveled.

And finally, please don't think of sex as something you can use as leverage to get the upper hand in a relationship. Don't believe that line of thinking, "I say yes or no so I am in control here." Basically if you convince yourself of that, you are admitting that it's okay to sleep with a guy and then have no further contact with him, just because your hormones want it. Umm, that's not okay. It's not safe. It's not in anyone's best interest. You're not smarter, or stronger, or more of a woman because of it. You will just have more regrets later.

You are more beautiful than you give yourself credit for, so quit hating your looks and your body. You are smarter than you allow yourself to believe, so don't try to get off so easily with a half-assed effort. You are kind and considerate to so many people, so accept that you are their friend as much as they are yours. You are lots of fun, but don't try too hard to be the center of attention.

Most importantly, when you think the whole world is against you, your parents will be there for you no matter what. It seems like they are smothering you with their questions, rules, expectations, and judgments. What they are doing is trying to protect their baby girl, their last baby bird to leave the nest, with every fiber of their beings. They will be there to bail you out when you need it most, to tell you what you don't want to hear even though that's what you need more than anything, and to celebrate with you when you reach your goals. They always knew you could do it. So cut them some slack and give them some love. They are truly the two people in the world who know you best and love you the most.

Oh, and one last thing: ditch that stupid boyfriend of yours. He's gonna hook up with some skank from Ohio named Kim on Spring Break in Padre next spring. Cut him loose and don't waste your freshman year at college driving back and forth to see him. Go ahead and mack with that cute ATO. Just remember what I said about the regrets.

Love,
Your future self

Me

When I look in the mirror, I see a little girl who always tried too hard to fit in. She wanted friends so badly that she vied for the center of attention. She was so loved but for some reason felt unloved.

When I look in the mirror, I see a young tween who was caught between a rock and a hard place: she wanted to badly to be her authentic, unique self; but at the same time she recognized the power of fitting in with the popular crowd. The result was many unsuccessful attempts at fitting in, leaving her as the butt of many jokes.

When I look in the mirror, I see a teenager who did whatever it took to break out of the "geek" circle. That meant clinging onto friends who were mean to unpopular girls. It also meant betraying her best friend from junior high. It's not one of her proudest moments.

When I look in the mirror, I see a 17-year-old who lost her virginity for all the wrong reasons. She did it so that she could fit in with her friends. She did it so that she could understand - firsthand - what all her friends were talking about. And that first time was everything it wasn't supposed to be. She wished so much that her parents would have talked to her more about sex, and how once your first time is over you can never get it back. How it's a threshold that, once crossed, cannot be crossed back over.

When I look in the mirror, I see a young woman who finally gets a chance to spread her wings on a study-abroad semester in Ireland. It was both the scariest and the most exciting time of her life. She absorbed everything and learned. And grew. And changed.

When I look in the mirror, I see a college graduate who can only say, "What now?" She doesn't have a job, she doesn't have any health insurance, but she does have some credit card debt. She looks at the future and doesn't get excited about all the possibilities the lie ahead of her. Instead, she can't seem to escape the notion of how many ways she can fail.

When I look in the mirror, I see a twenty-something gal who learned her lessons by being knocked down a few times. She got screwed out of some money, got rejected by a few boyfriends, and had more than a handful of flat tires. But she's still standing tall and a little bit smarter for it.

When I look in the mirror, I see a woman who almost gave up teaching to become a flight attendant. THAT would have been a big mistake that would have changed her whole life's outcome.

When I look in the mirror, I see a new mother who still feels like that college graduate: so unsure of the future and unable to see the joy, only the possibility of failure.

When I look in the mirror, I sometimes am shocked at what I see. Where did those lines come from? Has my nose always been this big? And why are my teeth so yellow?

I am growing older. Growing. I hope I am growing. I hope the years aren't just passing by and leaving the proof of all my stress right there on my face. I pray that as my age creeps up, I can also say that I'm changing FOR THE BETTER. I know that I feel better. I know that I have a better outlook on life. I no longer focus on possible failures but instead say, "Meh, what's the worst that can happen?"

When I look in the mirror, I have a hard time seeing any beauty. I will probably never be able to get past that. But I've gotten to the point that I don't really care anymore. My husband and my children love me for who I am, so what does it matter what the definition of "beauty" is? I'd love to have a smaller chin. A smaller nose. Straight teeth. Plumper lips. Fewer stretch marks. But, I am me. And I feel comfortable with me.

This post was part of MamaKat's Writing Workshop. Now it's your turn!

So, Did Linus Do The Right Thing?

After last week's post, many of you asked that I update you on what happened with Linus and his bad choices. I don't know how to talk about this without getting into specifics, so I'll just be sorta specific. So, here is what happened:

Linus and Charlie Brown had joined a club at school and Linus had stolen some supplies and brought them home. When he got home, Linus showed them to me and even said that the teacher had given them to him for no reason, just to be nice. So, stealing. Plus lying. And, he had given Charlie Brown some of the supplies as a bribe for him to stay quiet about the whole thing. Initially Charlie Brown had taken the bribe, but felt bad about it later that night and fessed up to me about the whole situation and admitted he didn't want the things because he knew it was wrong.

That night, I told Texan Papa what had transpired during the day. I assured him, though, that I'd handled it and we'd find out over the next couple of days what our son chose to do with his option of doing the right thing or doing the wrong thing.

The next morning, after I told Charlie Brown to talk to Linus about doing the "right thing", Linus decided he would try to side-step the "right thing". He would return some of the supplies but also return other stuff and keep some stuff for himself. Charlie Brown told him "you can't do that. The teacher is going to know that stuff wasn't the same stuff that was missing." Ultimately, the time came for everyone to leave for the bus and nothing got returned to school.

That afternoon, Texan Papa quizzed Linus about the supplies (knowing the truth the whole time) and said, "Something just doesn't seem right here..." Eventually Linus fessed up, through tears and a quiet voice. He ended up being punished with no computer time for that day, spending the rest of the evening in his room, returning the supplies to the school, apologizing to the teacher personally, and giving $5 of his money to the club for additional supplies.

Now, if it had been up to me, I would have simply made him quit the club. But Texan Papa didn't agree and thought it wouldn't be helpful for him to quit. Whatever... not a battle I'm fighting today. But, the truth was revealed and Charlie Brown didn't get sold out for telling. He (CB) did the right thing and I'm glad Linus didn't have to find out that his brother had spilled the beans.

So, sometimes our kids do the right thing. Sometimes, not so much. I have no idea what will happen the next time my kids are faced with the option of doing the right thing or the wrong thing. I'd like to believe they will choose wisely and use their brains as well as their character. But, in reality, we all slip up and we all make bad choices. And we learn from our bad choices. Sometimes, we learn better from our mistakes than we do our successes.

Linus is going to do a LOT of learning, I think.

FINALLY

This is what I've been waiting for after 10 long years. It is so sweet.

If you're a mom, you can relate, I'm sure.


(In case you can't read the writing, it says: "My Mom is my hero because she does everything. She can sew, she can make meals, she can wash laundry, she can teach Math. She can do everything! My mom is a great person to look up to.")

That is worth more than any public recognition I could ever get.

A Little Bit of a Freak

I am so not a neat freak. If anything, my "neat" friend Joni often tells me how she likes how "laid back" I am about cleaning.

Yeah, I guess you could call it that.

Sometimes the clutter and the mess stresses me out, often times more than it should. And I don't want to live in a pigsty (trust me, I don't) but at the same time I don't want to live in a house that requires so much time cleaning that I have to eat my lunch standing at the sink.

Usually I can get some calm in my life by having ONE room clean. If it's a bathroom, or the kitchen, or whatever, I love to go into that room and sigh, looking around and knowing, "I don't have a single thing to pick up or put away in here!" It's so nice. It doesn't happen often but it's amazing how just one clean area can really take my stress level down a notch.

However, I do have one area that I am a bit of a freak about keeping tidy and orderly. That's the refrigerator door.
My kids help me put things away after dinner and I get a little bit twitchy if the jars, bottles, and tubs don't go exactly where they are in the picture above. I don't even like the ketchup to face forward - it has to face sideways. And don't even get me started on the issue I have if my husband starts buying too many "fancy mustards". We have exactly enough space for the items on the door and I know where every. single. one. is. located. I guess I just hate looking through the fridge and wondering "Where in the hell is the Ranch dressing?"

A place for everything and everything in its place. I hope my place is not a sanitarium.

I Am So Oinkin' Scared

The H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu, is a big news story and has been for a while, at least here in Texas. Last spring, Texans died from the Swine Flu, which is believed to have originated in Mexico. So, being in such close proximity to Mexico, it's no surprise that Texans are at a big risk of contracting and spreading the disease.

So, this creates another wonderful opportunity for me to turn my stomach into knots trying to decide if one bad decision is better or worse than another bad decision. Get the Swine Flu vaccine? Well, it hasn't been tested on pregnant women and has been hurried through approval, so who knows what the results may be on my unborn baby. Don't get the Swine Flu vaccine? Possibly expose my baby to the Swine Flu which could also cause numerous other birth defects or death.

I already know what's going to happen: I'm going to get online and surf the net, looking for all the information I can find about pregnant women and H1N1. I will surely find a load of people who tell me that pregnant women are at higher risk for H1N1 (pregnant women comprise 1% of the national population but make up 6% of the people who've died from Swine Flu). I'm sure the CDC will say how safe the vaccine is for everyone, including pregnant women. But they are the ones who offer approval. Of course they are going to say it's safe! If they don't know of any risks, why would they say, "Uh, we're not sure about the possible results. You're on your own!" I am also pretty confident that I'll find sites that give all the gory details about what can happen to a baby born with the flu virus. For some peace of mind, I haven't even gone there yet, but I'm sure it's inevitable.

I wonder if Michelle Obama is going to take Sasha and Malia to get vaccinated.

I don't really know who to trust, who the best source may be. I think this is one more of the situations where there is NO right answer, just a whole slew of reasonable answers, and it's anyone's guess what the best answer is (until 10 years later, of course, when hindsight is 20/20).

I am NOT a person who has any health concerns at all. No asthma, no respiratory issues, heck I don't even have a single allergy. Not pollen or dust or anything. I've NEVER had mono or strep throat or bronchitis. I am an overly healthy person, I think. I've never had a single problem with any of my pregnancies. Now, this doesn't give me a false sense of security from getting the swine flu; if anything, I think that it's an overly confident person like me who's not expecting to get the swine flu who ends up being careless about hand-washing and germ care. But, it is true that people are dying not from the swine flu but rather from secondary infections that develop because of the swine flu. I think I have a kick-ass immune system, and I am pretty confident that I could beat it if I got it.

But could my baby?

So, if it's not already hard enough worrying about if my baby will be born with Down's Syndrome because I'm over 35, or if my baby will have a heart condition because I've been on Prozac during pregnancy, or if my baby will have some random birth defect just because of no reason at all... now I have to also worry about if my baby (or I) will die because I got the swine flu vaccine. Or because I didn't get the swine flu vaccine.

What do you think? What would you do??

Flashback Friday: Getting Rid of My Kids' VD

Hey Y'all. Dust off that old post of yours and give it another go-round. Then link up here and check out some other bloggers' old posts too!




(Originally Posted on 7/10/08)

Getting Rid of My Kids' VD

Okay, before you all judge me on what kind of mother allows her kids to get VD... let me tell you:

I would bet $100 that 99% of you have allowed your children to get VD

Here's what I mean. VD stands for Video Devices. VD could be PSP, Wii, X-Box, PS3 (or 1 or 2), GameBoy, Nintendo DS, simple plug-n-play games, etc. etc.

We do what works for our family. That's my basic mantra.... "hmmm.... whatever works for your family...... hmmmm...." Here at the TX Mama house, we don't have Wii. Or PS3. Or X-Box. Or DS. We do however have Gameboy. That's Gameboy color, not Gameboy Advance. We just got it this summer and my children were THRILLED because they got to see their games in color, as opposed to black-and-white. Our previous game system, which I will call Gameboy Classic, was only B&W, which also stands for "Big & Weighty". It looked like one of those old calculators we had when we were 8 years old, the kind that only did add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and sometimes percent, but it couldn't even fit in your pocket because MY GOD IT WAS A MINIATURE COMPUTER AFTER ALL!!!

So, this week I told my kids, "Kids, we are going to have a video-game-free week." After the expected moaning, groaning, writhing in pain, I finally explained that for one week there would be no Gameboy, no computer (for them of course, not me, since I have to do "work" on mine), and no plug-n-play games. For one week, they would work on using their BRAINS and MUSCLES (besides their finger muscles). So, how's it going, you ask?

Day 1: I went to the gym and dropped the kids in the Kids' Club care. I told the babysitter/teenybopper/gum chewer that the kids were NOT to play any VD. They could watch other kids, but were not to play themselves. I also reminded the kids how proud I would be of them if they could resist temptation for 1 hour. RESULT: Peppermint Patty obeyed (expected: typical first child) but the boys did not. When I came back they were BUSTED.

Day 2: Charlie Brown is having withdrawl pains. He keeps holding the Gameboy, looking at the Gameboy, making trips by the Gameboy on purpose, just to be closer to it. I end up putting it on top of the refrigerator.

Day 3: I take Charlie Brown and Peppermint Patty to Six Flags where (just in case you aren't entertained enough by huge rollercoasters and live cartoon characters) they have a Wii station to check out all the new Wii games! Charlie Brown begs, and begs, and begs, and begs, and whines, and whines, and pouts, and begs, and pouts, and whines. I almost give in just to get him to cease and desist. But I held firm.

Day 4: I catch Linus climbing on top of the counter to get the Gameboy down. Now it is hidden on the TOP shelf of my closet which even I can't reach without a stepstool. So, after lunch, Charlie Brown and Linus go to a friend's house, where (of course, we live in America, don't we) those kids have a Nintendo DS. Both boys end up playing for a while.

My experiment in getting rid of the VD is not going so well. The only one who isn't hooked is Baby Sally, and I think that's only because she's too little to get her teeny tiny fingers on the keyboard. goo goo gaa gaa.

The One Who Got Away

As I entered high school, I'd never been kissed. Well, not unless you count Dennis K. in the first grade, back in 1979. I think that was more of a scientific experiment than anything that was born out of feelings.

But, I digress...

After many years of teasing and taunting and a hard-core desire to get approval from others, I began my high school years with some serious self-esteem issues. I thought I was completely unattractive, unable to hold up my end of a conversation, and uncoordinated beyond all get-out. I would stand in a group of popular kids and think, "Why am I standing here? I don't have anything intelligent to contribute to this conversation. I better just keep my mouth shut and avoid embarrassment."

I'm amazed I ever got a single boyfriend. I was never the type who could shake it off if someone rejected me. I was always all, "What did I DOOOOOOOOO to make him want to leave?" or "How can I change myself so he'll want me back?" I know, so pathetic.

So, if I had to look back on my string of boyfriends, there were the good, the bad, and the ugly. Literally.

Mike P: First kiss. Sophomore (while I was a freshman). Kinda a wierdo, but kinda mysterious.
Dave F: Tall, dark, handsome. Soccer player (drool). Kinda quiet. Big nose that made some serious noise during make-out sessions.
Scott: College Freshman (while I was a HS Sophomore)! I always wondered if he was a loser. I mean, why wouldn't he date a college girl? I can't remember why we broke up but I think it had to do with him talking about me behind my back.
John K: Gave me his class ring. AWESOME sense of humor. Too bad he was skinnier than me.

blah blah blah blah... string of immature guys... blah blah blah

Then there was Mark. My HS sweetheart. My first real true love. We pined for each other all the way up until I got engaged. I sometimes wondered what would have happened if he'd shown up at my wedding the way Dustin Hoffman did in The Graduate.

And Matt. He just GOT ME. We were so in sync. Maybe I should have gotten the clue a little earlier that he was gay.

And Bryan. 11 years older than me, but he took care of me. And, in many ways, I took care of him too. That relationship was complicated and simple at the same time.

And then there's Texan Papa. We got engaged 2 months after we met and got married 6 months later. It never occurred to me (until later) that maybe I was rushing into marriage. It never occurred to me that I'd broken up with guys who I'd gone out with longer than I'd been engaged to THIS guy.

At the beginning of our relationship, I was in L-U-V. I totally bought into the whole "There's only ONE soul-mate for each person" thing. And, as shitty as it's going to sound, there were many times in that first year or two of marriage that I wondered, "Oh, crap, this one's not my soul-mate." or "I wonder what it would be like if I had married so-and-so."

So, I think the line about ONE soul-mate may or may not be true. But who cares? Can a marriage be good simply by chance? Does the success of a marriage fall entirely on the chance meeting of two people, rendering useless any amount of work that is actually put into a relationship? Is it possible for a person to be intentional about finding the exactly right person who is the yin to their yang? I have 3 very close friends (all bridesmaids of mine) who are still searching for their "Mr. Right".

After being married for 11 years (which, I know, only gives me limited experience) I have spun my own belief that each person does have a soul-mate. But a soul-mate is a person who you let into YOUR soul. It's a person who sees the beauty of your soul, despite all the flaws that are visible to everyone else who isn't your soul-mate. It's a person who has watched you grow and loves you more every day, but still loves the person you used to be too, because loving a person through the years means getting to experience everything together. A soul-mate is someone who changes you for the better, not by forcing that change but instead by forgiving us our imperfections and motivating us to grow and stretch ourselves.

Does every person have ONLY one soul-mate? Absolutely not. My husband is my soul-mate. So is my friend Angie. So is my friend Joni. So is my sister. And my mother. And my children. They each have been with me through my dark times and my triumphs. They have survived my rudeness and abrasiveness and forgiven me. They have picked me up when I have fallen. They have supported me from my caterpillar days as an all-knowing cocky kid up through my launch from the cocoon into maturity.

And yet, I still have so far to go. And to grow. And I pray that these soul-mates by whom I've been blessed will walk next to me along the way. And that I never count them among the ones who got away.

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This post was inspired by Mama Kat's writing workshop.