Somebody Call 9-1-1

Shawty Alison fire burning on the dance gym floor. Woah.

I'm shameless, and in the habit of keeping it real, even when I don't want to, so I snapped a picture of my no makeup, pre-gym look. Be thankful it's not a close up!




I probably wouldn't have done this, but I had the camera upstairs. I found Caroline wearing Craig's sweatsuit and thought she looked goofy enough to warrant a picture.





I had a lot of fun at my gym's Triple Challenge charity event for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Many (normal) people I know might not consider three consecutive hours of hard core exercise to be a fun way to spend a Saturday morning, but I'm clearly not normal. I wore my heart rate monitor and was happy to discover that I burned 1,436 calories this morning. It was a hard workout, but so much fun, all the same. Time flew by, if you can believe it.


If you completed all three classes, you were eligible to enter a drawing for prizes: personal training sessions, massages, mani/pedi, restaurant gift certificates. I didn't win, but that's okay. I haven't won anything since I was 12 and won a bottle of wine at a spaghetti dinner.


I didn't participate for the prizes anyway.


I was surprised that I didn't feel really spent afterwards. Actually, I felt better than I do on most days after a class at the gym. Endorphins maybe?


That is, until I sat down with my book around 2 pm. On a normal day I fall asleep easily when reading; today was no exception. If my feet hadn't been freezing and if I wasn't too lazy to get up and find a blanket or socks, I probably could have slept for a while. It's better that I didn't, though; naps never fail to alter my night time sleeping.


And let me tell you, after my little nap, I ate the most satisfying bowl of cinnamon Life cereal. It has been ages since I bought it, because I have a problem with cereal portion control. I've gotten better, but I still stumble every now and then. Today's bowl was so good. The milk was icy cold and I guess I just really missed cinnamon Life cereal in my life (ha!). Hopefully I won't eat the entire box in the span of a few days; only time will tell!


Caroline and I put up a few decorations for her party tomorrow. Like I said yesterday, we're keeping it really simple this year. Just a slumber/pizza party with the three girls she plays with most. Thankfully Caroline is easy to please and she's just as happy with an intimate gathering as she would be with a big extravaganza. Words cannot express how grateful I am for this fact; after three big blowout parties in a row, I need a break!


I'm, of course, making the cake and we're doing something like this building block cake. Only, I'm halving the recipe and using an 8" cake pan; we simply do not need that much cake in this house. One of the party guests doesn't like cake (!) so she's just eating ice cream, leaving three girls and two parents. The fewer leftovers we have, the better it will be for me. Besides, we still have to make cup cakes for her real birthday on the 21st to share at school.

So, our faux Legos will be smaller than those shown, but, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?


I'll be back tomorrow or Monday with pictures of the big 8th birthday bash.

That is, after I mourn the fact that MY BABY IS (almost) 8!!!


Seriously. It's kind of depressing.

Are you sure there isn't a way to turn back time?

I'm An Actual STAY-at-Home Mom Today

Picture source

Normally, I spend most weekday mornings at the gym. I drop Caroline off at school around 8:20 and head to the gym; this gives me time to shove my stuff into a locker and run/do other cardio before class starts at 9:30. By the time class is over at 10:30ish I do the shower, hair, make up thing and leave somewhere between 11:15 and 11:30, depending on how focused I am in the locker room.

If I have any quick errands to run, I do that; then I go home.

After lunch and "chores" I sit for a few minutes with my laptop and then get Caroline from school. It's a rare occasion when I'm home alone all day long.

Tomorrow I'm participating in a Triple Challenge at my gym, which consists of a trifecta of classes back-to-back-to-back: Body Attack, Body Pump and Body Combat. If you complete all three classes you're entered into a drawing to win all sorts of prizes. Most importantly, this is a charity event, which will benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital. So, I have to pay to torture myself, but if I'm going to torture myself, it may as well be for a great cause.

Because of tomorrow's exercise extravaganza, I took the day off today; I have a feeling well rested legs will be a great commodity tomorrow, starting bright and early at 8am.

With today's self imposed gym break, I thought this to be the perfect opportunity to take my car in for some scheduled maintenance.

My car is getting it's brake and power steering fluids flushed and hopefully the brakes are being de-squeakified, as well. Because, seriously...they squeak. And it grates. And it's embarrassing.

Hopefully they'll squeak no more; if not, I just might lose it. For sure.

It's a good thing I don't have a vehicle at my disposal. If I did, I might be tempted to flee the house and shop or something. Instead, I haven't an excuse in the world to keep me from staying home and restoring some much needed order.

I scaled a mountain of laundry and vacuumed pop corn up from Caroline's bedroom floor that has been there for at least a week. Eeep, that's bad. I also put together the goody bags for her Birthday/slumber party on Sunday and made another batch of my beloved split pea soup.

All in all, it's been a productive day. I still have more laundry to fold and I *could* mop the floors. However, my comfy chair is super inviting and this is the first time I've pulled out the lap top all day. Maybe I'll just take a few minutes to catch up on what's happening around my little corner of the blogosphere.

It couldn't hurt, right?

I took some pictures of my laundry pile (stalling!) before I put the clothes away and also took pictures of the goody bags and it's contents, but my camera battery is charging so they're unavailable at the moment. I hope to put together a post about Caroline's up coming birthday party. Hopefully tomorrow.

It won't compete with last year's Winter Wonderland party, but for my sanity, that's a good thing.

We're keeping it really simple this year.

Simple seems to be my current theme. I figure I better keep the tangible things simple because my brain and it's neurotic tendencies tend to make inner Alison less than simple.

I'm looking at today as an opportunity to recharge and feel like I've regained some order. I kind of slacked off the past few days in the housekeeping department, which isn't like me. Sure, my floor is almost always dirty, but I don't usually let too many other things slide by. Being homebound offered me no excuses.

Just what I needed.

Divorce Cookies

One of Craig's co-workers approached him with an unusual request last month. He asked if I would make his favorite double chocolate chunk cookies in celebration of his divorce being final. Normally I wouldn't exactly find the dissolution of a marriage to be a celebratory event, but in this man's case, it is. He and his kids are very relieved and looking forward to a happy life now that a complicating figure is out of the way. Hey, I'm not one to deny a happy newly divorced man (and his kids) the right to celebrate with cookies; cookies, in fact, can be used in a mulititude of celebratory situations. Birthdays, holidays, parties, new babies, new jobs, the ending of an unpleasant marriage.

It all works; especially when double chocolate chunk cookies are involved.

Chocolate has healing properties, you know. Especially when it's packaged in a nice bakery box and tied with a festive bow.

Ooooh, a melted river of gooey goodness.

I love the close up of the chocolate chips.

Leaning tower of Pisa cookies.

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies (source: um, I can't remember)

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 stick butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 bag of chcolate chunks (I used chocolate chips because that's all I had on hand)

In a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips and butter; cool 5 minutes.

Mix the melted chocolate mixture with sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Add dry ingredients and mix until well blended; stir in chocolate chunks.

Scoop the dough onto cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. I use a big cookie scoop, I think it holds 3T or maybe 4T.

Bake at 325 for 12-15 minutes. You want these to be a bit underdone, they'll set up as they cool, but will still be kind of gooey in the middle.

New Obsession: Scrapbook Paper

But NOT for scrapbooking.

Because I don't scrapbook; not that there is anything wrong with it.

Scrapbooking is a lovely idea and I'm sure if I wanted to, I could learn to love it. However, it's one of those hobbies that sucks you in and causes you to spend copious amounts of money on all the accessories. Also, it's time consuming; and you know how busy I am!

I like the idea of scrapbooking; I just don't see myself as the type to commit to the task.

Scrapbooking requires that the scrapbooker diligently take and print lots of pictures. I'll admit that I'm getting better about taking pictures at opportune moments, blogging has helped with that immensely, but I still fall below the picture curve and scrapbooking is nothing without pictures.

And what about all those little scraps of paper?!

Stickers, embellishments, fancy-edged scissors.

Too. Much. Stuff.

Besides, in order to have a fun scrapbook, you have to do fun things. We aren't *total* losers, but I would fear that our scrapbook wouldn't be filled to the brim with fun family adventures.

Memory keeping isn't my strong suit; like I've said before: it's genetic and probably irreversible. I've come to terms with this, but because I'm stubborn and unwilling to wholly surrender to this fact, I figure I'll allow this blog to serve as my digital scrapbook. It's less messy; and I don't have to find a place to house all the scrapbook paraphernalia.

Then why, you might ask, am I so obsessed with scrapbook paper?

Well, I'll tell you, I'm obsessed because I've discovered that framed printed scrapbook paper makes for frugal wall art.

The paper choices are virtually endless.

It all started with a desire for some art work to hang in our bathroom (18 months after we moved in!) and a Michael's gift card that was burning a hole in my wallet. I didn't have any ideas, but knew that I wanted the art to be easy, frugal and clean lined.

I found myself, combing the aisles of Michaels, searching for inspiration. I landed in the scrapbook paper aisle and that's where the idea sort of took off. Luckily picture frames were Buy One Get One Free, so this cheapened up the deal even further. Scrapbook paper costs anywhere from .29-$1.79 and the frames ended up costing $5 a piece.

I prefer black picture frames, but I already have a wood framed print in the bathroom, and I'm all about the continuity; I actually went back for some black frames to hang in my hallway. Hey, $5 frames! Not too shabby.

This isn't a very good picture, and it certainly doesn't do them justice, but these are the two prints that wound up on my bathroom wall, above our garden tub.

Once these were complete, I was struck with idea to frame some other paper to hang in a tryptic of sorts.

Black frames.

Coordinating scrapbook paper, a big stamp and metallic paint.



I had a terrible time trying to photograph the finished product. I couldn't get a decent picture with them hanging on the wall because it's one of those tall walls in our stairway and I don't have a good enough camera to get a decent shot. Instead, I rested them against the wall and did my best. I wish my wall color was accurately portrayed in the pictures I take. It's an apple green color and this photo makes it look sort of dusty grayish, blueish green. But, in this case, it doesn't really matter because the hallway paint color, where these frames are hung, is much more neutral than the apple color in my living room (and kitchen).


Here's a close up of the fleur-di-lis I stamped on the golden toned paper.

All in all I'm happy with the finished product; it was frugal, easy and fun.

Sure, this wall art isn't "high end" but, frankly, neither am I!

Whew, What a Relief

We emailed our landlords last week, informing them of Craig's impending deployment, because that seemed like the conscientious, adult thing to do. Also, our lease expires before Craig's earliest return date and we needed to hash out a few details. Thankfully, they're as happy to have us rent this house for the remainder of our time at Ft. Belvoir (18 months or so) as we are. Honestly, the thought of having to find a new rental and move this summer, by myself, didn't seem the least bit appealing. The prospect of not finding a rental in this neighborhood has caused many moments of fret, nearing on a full on hives breakout or two.
Moving sucks and when you have to move yourselves, and not with the help of young, strapping moving people, who are paid to carry heavy things up and down the stairs of tri-level townhouses, the suck factor increases ten fold. I love this neighborhood; I love this house, green walls and all. As a military brat, Caroline has been and will continue to be subjected to many, many moves; keeping things stable until our time is up in Virginia is really important to us. And it looks like we'll be able to stay here, near the school and near her friends until we move in 2011.

Good news.

In other news, Craig and I spent two hours in the JAG office today. One hour and 45 minutes of that two hours was comprised of sitting in a small waiting room with a limited amount of interesting magazines to read. We were called back at 2:45 and I immediately told the lawyer, who resembled a brown haired Drew Carey, that I had to leave at 3 to pick up Caroline. He said he'd have our wills and powers of attorney done in 15 minutes. He wasn't kidding!
We did the legal mumbo jumbo, raised our right hands, signed on the dotted line and I left. Craig stayed behind to tie all the ends together, but I wasn't needed anymore, so I left to pick up Caroline.

So now I can legally pull the plug on Craig and then spend all his life insurance money! It's safe to say that he's worth more dead than alive.

But, that's unsavory talk. I shouldn't joke about such things; especially since he can legally pull the plug on me and spend my life insurance money as he pleases.

Clearly, we take life very seriously.

Final Hurrah

So with Craig going on an extended "vacation" shortly, it appears that my baking hobby is going on hiatus. Sure, I might have a few school bake sales to contribute to, and Caroline's birthday is around the corner, but my weekly baking escapades are going to be extremely limited for the time being.


I'll be interested to see how many pounds Craig's co workers lose whilst he is away and their twice weekly tasty treats consequently disappear from the office. Heck, I might lose a few, too. I may not eat big portions of each thing I bake, but I taste my fair share of corners and little pieces that fall off here and there. I don't want to put out an inferior product, so as conscientious baker, it's my duty to taste taste before offering to others.

Can I get an amen?


So we'll all lose weight and my food bill will be significantly smaller; butter and chocolate ain't cheap. All good things, right?



Yep. Good stuff.


And yet, I'm deeply saddened by this. What will my new hobby be? Should I start building model airplanes? Take up golf? Collect stamps? Bird watch?

Eh, maybe I'll just stick to what I know best: reading mindless drivel on the internet and watching mindless drivel on television.



I spent 8 hours in and out of the kitchen yesterday baking, cleaning up, slicing, cleaning up, packaging and you guessed it, cleaning up for the bake sale at Craig's work today.
I was wiped out by the end of the evening; the fact that my sinuses started to revolt last night didn't help much either, but that's not really relevant right now.

Want to hear something funny?

As I was composing this post and uploading all the photos, Craig called. Evidently the bake sale was cancelled, unbeknownst to us. He didn't receive an email about the cancellation, nor did anyone else he works with. But, because he works with a bunch of awesome people, they took it upon themselves to eat up the goodies and even generously donated money to me, to support my effort. Wasn't that nice?

My hard work didn't go to waste; I got to do what I love; and I'm getting 29 big fat dollars for my contribution to the imaginary bake sale.

I just love a happy ending!

Speaking of Shenanigans....

Would the mother of this child PLEASE come claim her?
And don't forget the detangling spray!

Caroline obviously enjoyed the lesson on static electricity she received at Mad Science.

And she enjoys crackers, too!

Because, yes, those flecks in her hair are indeed cracker crumbs from a snack she ate on top of the blanket that she used to rub in her hair to create static.


Yep.

This REALLY happened.

The other night Caroline and Craig were creating a storm of static electricity with their feet on the carpet and blankets on their heads. Then they'd try to create a big spark by touching each other on the face.

They would cry, "Ow" and then do it again.
And again!

Anytime Caroline came near me with her electrically charged hands, I'd scream and threaten to do bodily harm if she touched me. I have bad static memories from living in the dry Arizona desert; you couldn't touch a door handle or a can of food on the shelves in the grocery store without shocking yourself during the winter.

Annoying.

Just to make sure you didn't think my kid walked around with nasty hair everyday, here's a picture to show how lovely her hair can actually look.

Much better. And not creepy and crumby at all.