Real Life

Ever notice that everyone else's life seems more spectacular, fun and exciting than yours in reading other peoples blogs? I've come to the realization that people don't do "real life" posts. We all talk about our latest and greatest vacations, fun times, funny things kids do and say, our wonderful husbands, or our favorite things. What about real life?

The reality is, their lives aren't better than ours. We just get to read about the fabulous parts of each others lives. Well darnit! I'm ready for some "real life" posts. Don't get me wrong, I still love the amazing adventures and such but what about the dishes that aren't done, the bathroom that needs cleaning, the kids that watch too much TV because mom just needs a half hour to herself.

Well, here it is! My first "real life" post. It's close to 1:30 in the morning and I'm blogging. Why so late? (or early?) Because this is the first minute I've had for myself today. Someone's either been puking because she's obviously sick, peeing her pants because she was too busy playing to take a time out to use a toilet, screaming because he's hungry but won't hold the bottle himself, or pestering me about how bored they are because apparently we don't have nearly enough toys or crayons and coloring books. And yet, I think I could fill a small U-haul with just toys.

I did manage to get the dishes done tonight. That's a huge plus. The bathroom I mentioned; definitely needs a cleaning after all it's been through today. My poor husband just got through being sick, or so we thought. It's back tonight for a second round. Luckily, I haven't had it yet but have definitely played the role of clean-up maid very well the past couple weeks.

Dinner was very late tonight. I think we finally ate our sloppy joes around 9:00. I still haven't wiped the cupboards off. The floor is swept but could certainly use a good mopping. Unfortunately, my dogs decided they would use the mop as a chew toy and I now need a new one.

All day I've been stressing and obsessing over the fact that my gums are receding and I don't know what to do about it. I don't brush aggressively at all and yet, they're receding. I've researched treatment options and don't like what I've found. Seriously, this is what I've stressed about all day long. I'm a worrier to the max, I can't help it. I had no problem finding my way to that line in heaven. My husband thinks it's silly that I'm obsessing over my gums but hey, when you're told they're receding and then in the past couple weeks I've literally watched one do it before my very eyes (and it's right in the front), I can do no less than stress and obsess over it. It's just my nature! If you see me, don't look for it, ok? I'm self concious about it now. And what gets me the most is that my husband brushes pretty aggressively and he prefers the medium bristles and his gums are fine. What's up with that? Did I stand in the "bad gum line"? Oh the drama in my mind.

I was very irritated with my kids today. It's just been one of those days. You know the ones, right? The days that when any of them want to tattle on another or come whining to you for something you just want to cover your ears and close your eyes and yell, "Lalalalalalalala! I can't hear you!!" And it's not their fault, it's just been one of those days. I'm entitled to have those once in a while! Don't worry, I don't say that to my kids. Sometimes I want to but would never do that. Tomorrow will be a less stressed day. I just know it!

This is my "real life" post. Now, go post your own real life post and let me know about it. Leave me a comment letting me know you did, I want to read all about your "real life"! A day in the life of.......YOU! Go on!

Please excuse my absence

It's been a rough couple of weeks. Sorry about that! My kids have all been running around with yuckies in their tummies and then spewing the yuckies out. Gross, I know! And then my husband, unfortunately, lost his job so now we're looking for employment. But for now he's working on side jobs and hopefully a new job will pop up soon. Ok, I know they don't just pop up out of nowhere but, well, you know what I mean.

I am happy to report that my kids are now playing in their playroom. It is no longer the Black Hole that it once was. The only things left for me to get out of there is all my scrapbooking stuff. I am moving it all into the office so the playroom can be just that...a playroom. And I'll be right next door in my scrapbook haven. I haven't scrapped for a very long time because my stuff was all covered in more stuff. The Black Hole stuff. But now that it's all taken care of, I can get back to business. Maybe my oldest daughter, who is now seven, should graduate in her scrapbook to something more than a year old! That's how bad I am at keeping up. But soon enough, I'll catch it all up and even the other kids will have a scrapbook soon. I promise!

Coconut Chicken Nuggets

Last night I made these tasty little nuggets for dinner. I think they are meant to be more of an appetizer but hey, the kids loved 'em! You can never go wrong if you call something a nugget, right? Try them out! I should have taken a picture but didn't think about that.

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 cups flaked coconut
1 egg
2 T. milk
1/2 cup flour
oil (for deep frying)--who doesn't love that, right?
1 tsp. celery salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Heat 2 inches of oil in pan or fryer to 375 degrees

Chop the coconut in a blender or food processor. Put in a bowl, set aside.

Combine egg and milk in another bowl

Toss chicken in flour then dip in egg mixture then in coconut.

Mix spices together but do not put on chicken yet.

Fry chicken for about 2 minutes on each side. They will be golden brown. (But actually, we liked the ones that were a little darker)

Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with celery salt and garlic powder (Don't think you need this? I'm tellin' ya, it makes all the difference in the world! Use as much as you would like. We didn't use all of it.)

There's a day for THAT?

Probably a lot of us realize that February is Black History Month. If not, where have you been? Well, it's actually a lot easier to tell that it's February in the South. It's a huge thing in the South. While my family was living in South Carolina for a couple of years we always knew it was February! It was promoted on TV, there were lots of commercials and there were calenders being passed out at many major stores.

But besides being Black History Month, did you know that February is also National Sweet Potato Month, or Spunky Old Broads Month. I'm with ya! I had no clue such a month existed!

In addition, did you know that next week is National Jell-O week or that the 11th-17th is Random Acts of Kindness week? Who knew?

Do you know what tomorrow is? It's National Bubble Gum Day. Chew away my friends, and blow lots of big bubbles. Don't feel like going to work on Valentines Day cuz you're depressed and single? Call in single! It's not only Valentine's Day, it's also National Call In Single Day. Kind of interesting eh?

You may be asking yourself why I know this. Here's the link. Just click on the month you want to check out and there are TONS of interesting holidays to discover. My family is going to try and celebrate at least 2 per month. It will be fun to see the kids discover new things. Let me know if you try any of them and tell us what you did to celebrate!

Name Monsters

I remember in elementary school making these. I don't remember what grade I was in. Probably a little older than my oldest is now. But I decided to try it with my kids and they loved it! So easy and they're all different.

1- Write your child's name in cursive (it works in print too) on a paper folded in half lengthwise.

2- Cut the outline of the name but be sure not to cut the folded part and open it up. They will look something like this.

3- Let the child choose which way is up and let them color away.

The one on the left is made by a 7 year old, the right by a 5 year old. You could also let them use glue, glitter, pom-poms, yarn or just about anything else you can imagine.