Mariannes Motifs

Laundry's Done

I've had my nap and with the help of hubster and kids my laundry is done.  I hung everything up and am good to go for the week.  I still need to pack up a spare outfit for the kid who still needs a spare outfit.  (Don't even get me started on that one...)

I feel like I am preparing for battle.  I ran out of steam for dinner prep so hubster is going to pick up some take out.  Works for me since my headache has progressed to full blown migraine and I need some rest.  I took a pain pill and I am peace out for the evening.  Sleeping pills don't work right for me.  Lunesta didn't work, benedryl works but makes it hard for me to get up the next morning so only good for weekend nights, and the one time they gave me an Ambien at the emergency room I ended up having hallucinations on the way home.  I will skip that thanks.  A plain old fashioned pain pill works to lighten up the pain so I can fall asleep.  I try to take them as infrequently as I can.

Taking a Nap

I just broke out a toy I've been saving to give the kids just because I want some peace and quiet.  Bad parenting? Perhaps.  But desperate times call for desperate measures and I made an executive dashboard decision. After cooking breakfast, starting the laundry, and supervising baths I feel like some me time.

Here's what I got them on a major huge markdown at bonton.com a couple of weeks ago.

 

They are now going outside in the yard to race cars on their new track.  They get fresh air and to play with their friends if they are out there, I get quiet.  Everyone wins.

Sunday is Laundry Day

I've started the laundry train going.  I like to go to sleep on Sunday night knowing that everyone has clean outfits ready for the week.  Especially this week!

I made bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast.  Yes, I realize that bacon is probably not the best thing to eat to remove belly fat, but its a once a week treat so hey whatever. I have plans for grilling up chicken for dinner tonight , but if I don't feel that motivated it might end up being something else for dinner. 

The kids decided to have a marker battle last night and write all over each other.  Nice.  So now little guy is in the tub trying to soak off all of the red market all over his little self.  I was going to take them to Barnes and Noble to pick out books but frankly they don't deserve a reward right now!  They have been cray naughty this weekend.

Grill Time

Today was haircut day.  The kids got theirs cut first, and then I got mine colored and cut in the afternoon.  So now I have a new outfit, my hair "did" and am all ready for the big week next week.

After I got home we fired up the grill and made the kabobs and some kosher hotdogs for the kids.  These were pre marinated beef kabobs from Publix and they were really good.  The cucumber salad is slices cukes with Japanese sushi vinager, a splash of oil, and sea salt.  (Himalayan sea salt to be exact.) I had a glass of Francis Coppola Syrah with this.  Yum.  No leftovers - no need for food storage.  Don't those cucumber slices look pretty?  It's just one of those french gourmet cucumbers and the fluted edges are how it grows.

Ahh, Saturday...

Work has been so busy that I have been getting home and falling into bed early.  Last night I stopped at the grocery store and picked up subs for dinner and some good stuff for the weekend.  I got two really nice looking steak kabobs - premarinated.  Got a package of hot dogs for the kids, and we will have a grillout tonight. 

I also picked up some organic chicken thighs and drumsticks to grill up tomorrow.  I want to do a Cornell marinade on those puppies.  Yumm! 

I made toaster waffles, scrambled eggs, and sausage this morning for our breakfast, and tomorrow will be bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches or whatever combo anyone wants.

I am about to go get my hair colored.  Big pack of bosses are coming to town next week so I need to look sharp.  Anyone have any tips on how to remove dark circles under eyes?  I've had dark circles ALWAYS and they just are there.  I personally don't think there is any good cure, its just a part of me.  Who cares anyway?  Maybe I will try some cucumber slices though.

Spur of the Moment Trip to Tampa and Orlando

The kids and I both had today off for President's Day.  On Thursday I asked Jin if he wanted to do a weekend trip, thinking maybe we would drive to the North Georgia Mountains or something nearby.  He said "Hey, do you want to go visit Melissa for the weekend?"  My friend Melissa moved to Tampa about 8 months ago. 

So we messages Mel and since she was free we packed up the kids and the dog and took off after I got out of work on Friday.  We got there about 3:00 in the morning!  We had a whirlwind weekend - drove the 45 minutes to Orlando on Saturday and saw Sea World.  All that walking is the best lower ab workout ever.  After Sea World we went to Downtown Disney and ate at the T-Rex restaurant and the kids got to build their own remote controlled cars at Ride Makerz. 

Sunday we chilled at Melissa's pool, barbequed up some steaks, and had a nice relaxing day.

Today we drove home and got home at about 4:00 PM.  Wow - what a trip.  Here is a picture of one of the Orcas leaping at the Shamu show at Sea World. 

My Honey Did Good!

I came home from work to the smell of home cooked beef stew, beautiful roses, cute card, dishes washed, and laundry done.  Ahhh.... what a treat.

I LOVE YOU JIN!!!!

Games Keep You Young

Playing games keeps you young.  I grew up playing bridge and scrabble with my grandmother, who was an avid game player.  She would play bridge every day if she got a chance.  She kept her wits about her into her 90's!

These days I like to play the web game Scrabble Cubes, on Worldwinner, and I have even been known to play for money.  Not a lot of social interaction, but its a calming break from the world and it does keep my mind sharp. (Or at least as sharp as I can manage)

The hubster plays MMOs - right now he's into Dungeons and Dragons online.  I don't get into really complex PC Games.  I figure if I am going to concentrate that hard on something I want to get paid for it.  They make my brain hurt.

Of course hubster can beat me at almost any game.  I think Scrabble is about the only game I can beat him at.

Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich

Yesterday I had a huge migraine and had to come home early from work.  This morning I feel a lot better, but I have that "migraine hangover" feeling.  I finally took a shower and joined the land of the living and cooked brunch.  Bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, and toast. I made mine into a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich.  Yummy!

Ben eats his scrambled eggs with jelly, just like I do.  I started when I didn't want to eat them and my mom had me try them with jelly when I was a kid, and it stuck.  Hey - some people eat scrambled eggs with ketchup - I eam them with jelly.  Who's to judge?

Now I am off to do some shopping for skin care products.  I am almost out of moisturizer.  I really like the Peter Thomas Roth Oil Free Moisturizer.  It's pricey, but its hard for me to find moisturizer that doesn't make me break out.

Chew Toy for Dog who likes to Chew Legos

We havea a cute little Chhuahua than absolutely loves to chew on plastic toys.  Legos, Bionicles, Toy Soldiers, he has destroyed them all.  One good thing is that this is teaching the kids to pick up their toys off of the floor.

We have bought Biscuit tons of chew toys but they don't really catch his interest enough. 

Well, I have found a chewy bone that has a built in replaceable chewy treat, that the dog just loves.  It's called a Gnawhide, and you can buy refills of the little discs so they dog gets a treat while he chews on the bone.  Love it!