Ticket to country

We got it....our ticket to "Countryville" today.

Shorty did a second test run for his BBQ cook off next week....and it worked. It was perfect.

After last week....he had considered pulling out of the running.

So, needless to say he was delighted with himself. Delighted in his ribs, brisket, and chicken.

However, my waist line isn't so delighted.

So, we will indeed be experiencing the true Texas country way of life next Friday night.

Straight up redneck.

And, I can't wait.

Looking forward to sharing some funny stories and pictures from next weekend.

Especially from the "Cootie Coach"

Yeeee Hawwww Y'all!

Its hot in here!

Hot yoga....called Bikram yoga....

I did it this morning. A 50 minute class...yoga poses and breathing exercises in a 105 degree room with 40% humidity.

I loved it. Never done anything like it...and can't wait to go back.

Relaxing...a tough workout...and it burned over 500 calories in less than an hour.

Sign me up.

Goal is to loose a few pounds, gain strength and flexibility, and you know....become one with the universe.

There was a woman in the class. She was in the greatest shape of anyone I had ever seen. Surely it was just her 4th or 5th class. Maybe I will look like that in a month.....

Yes, I am kidding.

Going back in the morning...this time...with a plastic bag. My anal self needed something to put sweaty clothes and towels into this morning. Now I am prepared....

Namaste

Mean

"You can have ice cream instead of playing on the playground." This is what I told my 2 year old today...to entice her to not WANT to play on the indoor playground after our Wednesday playgroup.

The little boy...the one who irritated me last Wednesday....well....he was there again. Same place...same actions...same story.

When I walked in, he saw me. We made eye contact and he gave me this sly little smile.

No way was I letting my kid play in the same area as him.....at least...not while I was there. My blood pressure couldn't handle it. He is just bad. And his Mom is no where to be found while he torments the other kids in the padded jungle gym.

So, I enticed my kid with sweets. Eat this ice cream.....instead of playing.

What kind of Mom am I?

You may think I am mean...I KNOW I am mean...but, I just wasn't up for it today.

Apparently she wasn't either...

"Ok Mommy....there are bad boys in there...they might hurt me."

SMART girl.

Hard to remember

Today at 11:34 am, I was wondering if it was appropriate to have a cocktail.

A vodka tonic with my lunch. Then, I looked at my watch, remembered I was indeed responsible for a 2 year old, and that the 2 hour doctor appointment with a toddler wasn't really all that bad.

The kiddo has this bump. This red hard bump on her eyelid...right at her eyelash line. It has been there for months...a trip to her pediatrician led us to a pediatric eye doctor.

There are only 3 in the entire area. I had made the appointment months ago. And, naturally, the bump was in it's small stage this morning. You know...when the doctor was supposed to see it.

Her appointment was at Texas Children's Clinic here at the local hospital. We walked in...the waiting room was almost to capacity. Not really with sick children...just mostly special needs, handicapped, mentally illness, serious vision problems, and developmental delays.

I felt so stupid. Here I was sitting in a waiting room full of truly ill children. All because my kid had a bump on her eye.

The appointment took 2 hours. Eye exam, nurse exam, waiting...

Just sitting there for 3 minutes reminded me of how incredibly lucky I am. Really, how incredibly lucky we all are. Even if you think you have problems...there is someone that is dealing with unimaginable issues with their children or family members.

Wheelchairs, feeding tubes, completely unable to communicate....serious things.

"Out of sight out of mind" really applies here. We all get disappointed, frustrated, angry, and irritated with our personal and family situations sometimes....no person's life is perfect.

Trying to keep things in perspective is what it is always about. Makes living life.

Not meant to be a sad post...because those children are here for a certain reason.

Hope we all keep things in perspective and are thankful for our health...for our children...and for our blessings.

No matter how big or small.

Here comes....

"Here comes Peter Cotton Tail....hoppin' down the bunny trail...."

I love to sing....it sounds so beautiful. So beautiful that my kid says "SHHHH Mommy."

As we were leaving today...we saw these two bunnies in the back yard. Eating my dead and frozen plants. Aren't they just cute little huge rats? Do you see the other rat...I mean bunny?

Really....look at them...rodents.
It is a rat with huge ears. And a white fluffy tail.

But, a cute rat. :)

Pretty sure they were the Easter Bunny's watchers...looking for the perfect place to hide eggs.

I LOVE EASTER.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup....anyone?

Back to Basics

Being disappointed really bites the big one. Really.

Shorty spent over 24 hours jacking around with raw meat, meat fat, marinades, rubs, charcoal, trailer hitches, wood, rain, thermometers, knives, cut and bloody fingers, and I could go on.

As Saturday afternoon rolled around...we were excited to taste his food. I mean for real folks....all that time and effort should produce world champion awards in my opinion.

As the first slab of meat came off the grill....it was placed in a holding area....no one could touch it or look at it....it was time for it to rest.

When the time arrived for slicing and tasting, it seemed perfect...it looked perfect and sliced perfect...but it didn't taste perfect. It was salty. Way too salty. Like corned beef salty.

The second and third ones came off....perfect taste...but not cooked perfect.

Shorty then realized that it takes years of "rednecking" to become a master of those huge smokers.

Shorty owns a "Big Green Egg." It is known as "The World's Best Smoker and Grill"

I have eaten brisket, ribs, chicken, pork, steaks...you name it...all off that pit and it IS so gosh darn good.

So, Shorty has decided he is taking his "Big Green Egg" to the cookoff.

We will be at a cookoff....surrounded by rednecks and cookers as big as our house...and Shorty will be relaxing in his chair cookin' on his Egg.

Can you picture this? Really? Cause I can't. ;)

So, lesson for the day....if you are really good at something....keep it that way. If you try something new....and it doesn't work...try try again....OR just do what you do best.

Guess I am basically saying...give up real quick....it's not worth the effort if you are already good at something else.

I doubt I will be getting any motivational speaker jobs anytime soon.

Go Shorty go. :)

Bar - be - que

Wait a second. I didn't marry a BBQ cookin' redneck. I married a preppy golfer boy who lives in khakis and polos.

Seems as if Shorty has found a new interest. Seems as if Shorty is going to enter a BBQ cook off here in the great state of Texas.

The contest is in February. Shorty is practicing this weekend.

And I get to be the judge. You know....since I am such a BBQ connoisseur.
So here he is...inspecting the metal contraption that will indeed consume his entire weekend and most of this evening.

This metal contraption will also produce some fine tasting BBQ chow.

Brisket, ribs, and chicken. All on the menu.

Think I may have to wear my cowboy hat tonight. Straw or felt? Hmmm....decisions decisions.

Stay tuned to hear stories of Shorty's adventures in practice this weekend.

Mmm Mmmm good.

I have a problem

One of the first steps of recovery is admitting that you have a problem.

As I sit here typing...I am wearing a black tshirt.

It is the 2nd one I have worn today. The first one was dirtied while I was bathing my black dog.

Today...I had a couple of hours to myself. So, I decided to spend it running errands and browsing around town.

I bought 3 shirts.

Two of them are black.

One was $6.00 and the other was $14.95. Not like I spent a lot of money...but, why do I need black shirts? I am so drawn to them....

I love black.

It must be because of its magical slimming abilities. It hides pesky back fat....they go perfect with jeans, and I love that rebel look.

Last time I did laundry...my pile of clothing was entirely black.

May never change.

But, I did by a pink t shirt to go along with the black one.

So, not that boring.

Ok...so maybe I am that boring.

Oh well.

Just a little crazy

Why?

Why am I so overprotective? I am so overprotective of my child...that I even annoy myself.

Poor kid busted her lip yesterday at school. Thank the Lord I wasn't there....or, I would have passed out. You can see her lip in the picture...not that bad...but still sad.

Would have passed out simply because she fell on her mouth. Everyone has something that makes them a little crazy....and hurting one's teeth does it for me. My heart skips 4 beats.

Today...we were eating a gourmet lunch at the old Chick fil a.

After much convincing and bribery to indeed finish a reasonable amount of lunch....I agreed to let my kid go in the indoor playground.

It has solid glass windows...so I get to enjoy experiencing blood pressure in the hypertension category from the comfort of my dining chair.

A little boy....with a tshirt on that said "Trouble" kept climbing on places he shouldn't climb...and acting like he was going to pounce on my child.

I went in. My maternal instincts kicked in and I told him "get down from there. you are not supposed to be standing up there and you are going to hurt someone. Now get DOWN."

He just looked at me....and taunted me. What a brat.

So, I gathered my kid and made her leave.

I am always the parent on the sidelines cringing...waiting for someone to get hurt....watching her every move....

All while other parents just sit there. Relaxed.

I just can't. Not in my nature I guess.

So, if you need a lesson in over protection...I am available.

Yeah right...I need a lesson in relaxation.

WATCH OUT! BE CAREFUL! DON'T DO THAT!

HOLD ON TIGHT!

Overnight

Have you ever experienced an overnight change? Like, you wake up one morning and you have magically gained 5 pounds....your skin looks like that of a 15 year old with raging hormones...and that your hair has all of the sudden turned gray. Overnight.

I experienced 2 of those overnight changes this morning. I know the few pounds I gained just happened magically. Nothing to do with the fact that I have been eating like a pig at the trough.

We were running a little behind this morning...my 2 year old has decided it is fun to take 30 minutes to eat 4 bites of cereal.

I was short on time...so instead of curling my luscious locks....threw my hair into the World's thinnest ponytail.

I looked a little closer...the entire right side of my temple is gray.

What?

So, I wake up with a few extra pounds and gray hair.

Good morning sunshine!

Italian Chicken

Shorty's grandma is 100% full blooded Italian.

So, needless to say....he loves Italian food. As do most men.

When looking for healthy recipes...I look for ones that are normally fattening "comfort foods"that are just "lightened" up.

I made Chicken Parmesan. Have made it both ways...the really fattening way...and they healthy way. Sharing the healthy one with you of course. I got this from Cooking light...I changed it up a little...so here is how I whipped it up.

Serves 4

4 Chicken Breasts - butterflied or cut in half

3/4 Cup plain or Italian bread crumbs (add Italian seasoning to plain ones)

2 egg whites lightly beaten

3 TBS olive oil

1/2 cup flour

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning

1/4 tsp salt

1 jar tomato basil pasta sauce (I used Barilla)

Cooking spray

Grated Parmesan cheese

1 package of low fat skim Mozzarella cheese

*Preheat oven to 450

*Butterfly or slice chicken breasts in half...to allow quicker cooking.

*Mix flour, Italian seasoning, and salt in shallow dish

*Place egg whites slightly beaten in a shallow dish

*Put bread crumbs in another shallow dish.

*Dredge each chicken breast in flour mixture, followed by egg whites, then finished with bread crumbs. Repeat with remaining chicken.

*Heat 2 TBS of olive oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium high. Careful not to scorch oil.

*Saute chicken for 2 minutes on each side. Will form a nice brown crust. May have to do it in batches. Careful not to crowd chicken in pan. Use remaining oil if pan becomes too dry

*Once all chicken is done on stove top, lightly spray it with cooking spray.

*Put it in oven proof skillet or baking dish. Cook 5 minutes, turn chicken, and cook another 2 minutes.

*Remove from oven. Place 3 TBS of sauce on top of each chicken, followed by 1 oz of Parmesan cheese then 3 ounces of Mozzarella on each chicken. Return to oven at 450 and bake for 6 more minutes...or until chicken is done.

Can be served with pasta...use remaining sauce from jar for pasta (yes, jar sauce is the only way to go. Unless I was Italian...and that, I am not.) I will leave that to the full blooded Italians...they know what they are doing.

An easy crisp green salad....or serve the cutlets on wheat sub rolls.

There you go. A healthy twist on something not known to be a healthy meal.

If you make it...let me know if you enjoyed it!

Yum!

Takin' care of yo' self

Sudden changes in your health...or sudden changes in the health of those you love...often makes you do an about face....you start to do things just a little different.

Guess you could refer to it as a "wake up call."

I don't live a terribly unhealthy life. I don't smoke, I don't drink Jack Daniels, and, I only eat at buffets once in a blue moon. ;)

One thing I don't LOVE is really really healthy food. I am a southern girl...and I like good food.

Anytime I find a recipe that TASTES good and is HEALTHY at the same time...I will make it over and over again.

Cooking Light magazine is a good one....in my opinion.

So, I plan to share some heart healthy recipes with you. Maybe once a week...

My plan is to try them first...and if they are good....I will share. So I will be the Guinea Pig.

Take the time to take care of yourself. Read labels....count calories....notice saturated fat....red meat once a week...

You can still enjoy food and life and take care of yourself at the same time.

Not saying I do...so this is therapy for me too. Encouragement for me to cook more heart healthy for the Shorty family than I already do. Certainly won't hurt.

Take care :)

Thankful. Lucky. Grateful.

When your phone rings before 7 am....it is not a good thing.

My phone rang during the "not good news time frame" and when I saw that it was my parents on caller ID....my heart crashed to the floor.

My Mom had mentioned my Dad had been complaining of stomach pain the night before....but figured it wasn't anything serious...now they were calling me before 7 am. Not good.

"Looks like your Dad has had a heart attack." Gulping back tears I bounced around the house trying to decide what to do first.

Once I got to the hospital....I just continued to realize how lucky we all are. How lucky that people spend their lives dedicated to help other people...to heal them....to repair them...to care for them.

If it weren't for those doctors...and their quick action...well...we just won't go there.

So here I sit on my couch. With thoughts of my Dad laying in a hospital bed recovering from a heart attack....praying that he is sleeping or at least enjoying an episode of Hannity on Fox News.

Take each and every day for what it is. A gift from God.

And, be thankful for your health...and thankful for those who are there to help us along the path to live healthy lives.

My Dad is going to be just fine....and I couldn't be more relieved.

Drink this

PLUS

Equals YUM!

I made an unusual trip to the grocery store on a Sunday afternoon. Normally avoid the store on the weekend at all costs....

Don't like crowds at the store.

However, I may endure crowds at the store on Sundays....they had samples. My kid got to taste fun stuff.

They had this juice. Cranberry juice with lime. Yum.

So, if you have an HEB near you....

Go score some juice for yourself. It is totally worth the vitamin C and empty calories.

Drink up!

two children

Yes, I have two children. Shorty and the little one.

I talked yesterday about the Chucky Cheese addict that I live with....let's just say it is not the 2 1/2 year old. It is the 33 year old. Think we all know that.

While we were at the kiddy wonderland overload, I noticed my dear husband far across the room. Shooting basketballs to win tickets. Then Skee Ball...then, car games...or whatever contraption he could fit himself into.

Right after Chucky Cheese himself came out to greet the birthday boy (much to my child's dismay) my husband made himself a drink at the fountain.

As we were standing by the door....getting ready to leave....he looks at me and says, "Know what I am drinkin'?"

My first worry was that he brought a flask into Chucky's...but, then I remembered he doesn't drink that stuff much anymore...but maybe he bought it to cope with the kid overload.

I was wrong. So, I guessed again. I replied, "I don't know....a suicide?"

For those of you that don't know what a suicide is...it is a trip to the fountain drink area...cup in hand....ice, and a squirt from each fountain...all in one cup. Yes, Coke, Sprite, Lemonade, Big Red, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper...all mixed together.

After I made the guess about the suicide...he just looked at me....with this gleam in his eyes...the same gleam an 8 year old boy gets at Chucky's.

So, off we went. I am positive he had more fun than she did.

At least I know a good place to take both of them....next time they need to burn off steam.

Don't forget the hand sanitizer...cause that place is DIR-TY.

I am a weenie

That's right...I am a weenie. I have one kid and I think it is hard as it is.

Some of my friends have 4 children. Still not sure how they do it. Just seems impossible to me....but, it works for them....they make it look easy. If I had 4 children, pretty sure I would be in the corner of my closet right now....facing the wall.

A friend of ours just had their 4th kiddo a week ago.

I made Pioneer Woman's pot roast, baked potatoes, salad, and the yummiest oatmeal chocolate chip cookies for them.

When my *little* 10 pound newborn arrived into this world...I remember thinking if I would ever cook again. Still wonder that to this day.... ;)

Poor Shorty. He came home to a kitchen filled with the aroma of a home cooked meal....only to find an empty oven and plates. We were off to a birthday party. Off to Chucky Cheese. A 2 year old's Heaven on Earth

Their catch phrase "Where a kid can be a kid" was proven tonight. I live with the poster child for Chucky Cheese. And, I am not telling you who it is until tomorrow.

So I will leave you with that huge weight of a surprise. Till tomorrow.

And, I still think any parent that has more than 2 children should be given some type of trophy.

An award for not being a weenie like me.

All in a name

Ball Joint assy

Upper and lower ball joint assy for independent suspension.

Names are so important. They follow you for the rest of your life...some say they even have an influence on your future career.

In a previous post...I think I mentioned my nick name was "Assy." It is what Shorty calls me most of the time...my Mother's family....and my cousin has been known to shorten it and just call me "Ass" and, I expressed my wish to not be called "Ass." My rear is big enough as it is.

The name originates from my younger cousin. She could not pronounce my first name...so, Assy was born.

One day Shorty and I were putting something together and the directions called for the "Ball Mount Assy"

I laughed till I cried. Seems as if "Assy" also means "Assembly" in the machine world.

On a routine visit to the kids favorite dinning spot....Luby's cafeteria...I spotted a man wearing a hat that donned my name. I took a double take and realized yes...my name was on a man's hat. It seemed odd.

Then, I remembered a long time ago....someone telling me about an Allison Transmission. It is for large engines and diesel.

So, both of the things that have something to do with my name have to do with machinery.

See....it's all in a name. I so need to order that baseball cap. You should see the hoody they have.

It is made just for me.

How come?

Why? How come? Why? Why Mommy? Why? How come?

If I had a penny for every time my curious rug rat said one of those words every day....I bet I would have a whole dollar at bedtime.

"Put on your jacket." I say....

"But, Why?" She replies....

"Because it is cold outside." Is my answer....

"How come Mommy?" She asks.....

"Because it is winter and it is cold in the winter." I answer again....

"Why?" She asks....

I think you see the pattern forming here. My 2 1/2 year old is looking for all the answers. Good thing she is asking me....because if you know me at all...I am always right.

The little one does not watch the show "Super Why" on PBS. But, maybe we should start.

"But, why?"

Lady, is that a wig?

Nope...I don't know who that is. But, she has bangs...and brown hair....and so do I.

Yes, I got a wild hair last night....and decided to make my hair wild.

No, my hair does not look like hers. I searched for pictures of bob haircuts with bangs....and my over zealous self consciousness couldn't let me post a picture of a celebrity and say..."hey look! I got my hair cut like this." Because then I would be one of those people who takes a picture of Jennifer Aniston into the salon asking her stylist to transform her hair to be that of a superstar. That is when a magic wand is needed.

The haircut is good. I like it. My kid just kinda stared at me when I got out of the car....Shorty said "I really like it! It looks so different it almost looks like you have on a wig!"

So, I will keep catching glances in the mirror wondering who that lady is that is looking back at me.

That is the beauty of hair....it always grows back.

It is a little reminiscent of my 4th grade school head shot. Bob, bangs, and blue blazer.

Thank goodness for free bang trims.

Can't get any better.

Fashionista.....I am not.

Interested in high fashion....not really....I enjoy looking at it....but that is it. And yeah, I can't afford it.

Enjoy looking put together and am drawn to clothes that are simple...easy....and not bold...yes.

I watched Coco Chanel's biography last night. Amazing. What a woman. As I watched it....I thought of all the things she is responsible for...The Little Black Dress....menswear inspired clothing...costume jewelry...and introduced the thought that women should dress for themselves....not for men. She replaced corsets with pantsuits.

As time goes on....and fashions change....I think there couldn't possibly be another person who could change fashion quite like she did. If it weren't for her.....my favorite perfume in the world would not be sitting on my bathroom counter. Cristalle.

A whippersnapper. That is a word that comes to mind the more you learn about her.

Every quote I have read from her.....is just true. A brilliant artist.

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."

There are many more. Those were just my three favorite.

Maybe one day....I could own a Chanel bag. Or maybe just a wallet.

Maybe. Hey, a girl has to wish.

Normal? Is that you?

Welcoming 2010 and a "normal" schedule with open arms.

The holidays were great and all....but, this lady is ready for the normal grind to return.

A certain 2 1/2 year old is a little spoiled at the moment....from all the extra attention and family around.

Shorty probably forgot what it is like to come home to a meal on the table. For the last month....seems as if we always had somewhere to go....someplace to be....or something to take care of....and cooking wasn't one of them.

So tonight...it will be normal again. Well, as close as you can get to normal in the Shorty household.

This housewife will actually turn on the stove and make dinner. I hope I remember how to use it.

Taco soup and tortillas are on the menu. I am freezing my booty off and soup is the perfect thing to keep it warm.

Hope you are enjoying your "normal" as well.

Another picture

One of my friends took this picture last night. Everyone wanted to take a picture with the star of the show! My cousin. Alex - far right. He is the lead guitar player for the popular Miranda Lambert and he has his own band as well. WEEdEN

Such a fun night...and a great group of people. Photoshop wasn't successful with the "red eye removal" in this one. Just so you don't think some of my buds are possessed. ;)

See, I told you I had a talented family!

Another birthday!

We celebrated one of my best friends 30ths last night. Seriously...could all my friends all have decade birthdays a little closer together?

Our trip to the big city to celebrate included a trip to the Galleria...a surprise lunch...a hotel room....a chance to watch my talented cousin play with his band....and lots of fun.
Here are a few of the folks who joined us last night. There were about 16 of us.

The band was awesome...the friends were fun....and the night was just what it should have been.

The birthday girl was totally surprised....well, I think she was. ;)

The 30 year old is the one in the white coat.

Happy Birthday! :)

Welcome to the suburbs

Happy New Year folks.

Did you get to experience the joy of illegal fireworks?

We did. Well....let's just say I did.

Seems as if everyone else thinks they are cool...except for me, dogs, and the deer.

Shorty spotted this Mom & baby dear cruising around in our front yard this morning.

Obvious they were probably scared out of the woods by some teen popping firecrackers to celebrate the new decade.

All they had to do was walk down the street, take a left, then take another left to get back into the woods.

Hope they understood my directions.

Thankful the fireworks are over.

Yes, I am an old fuddy duddy lady.

So what.

Happy New Year y'all!