Year in Review

Happy New Year's Eve 2013!

Let's take a closer look at how the year went from my point of view. Well, it is all about me... It is what it is...
If you forgot what my resolutions were or you even care, here's last year's post.

http://marybethmacnaughton.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-everyday-project-day-47.html

Positively speaking, things are pretty positive in my world. Call me delusional but we all are in charge of our own happiness. Spin it in the right direction.

Floss. I flossed everyday this year. I got an app to monitor stuff like that.
Yoga. I did not master the forearm stand or bird of paradise. My crow looks good and I learned another arm balance. I'll have to get a picture soon. Hey, that's why they call it practice. But I do practice at least a few poses almost everyday. It's on the app.
Blog. I completed 1 full year of daily blogging. And am on an almost every other day schedule to continue.
Survivor. Time to shut up. I did nothing but think about that one.

Since I try not to overwhelm myself, let's call it a year and continue on with last years

I got a new fiend who calls herself WIAD. She is a dirty, little thing... There's that foreshadowing again...

So pass the Oplatki (a Polish Catholic custom) and have an Awesome, fun and safe New Year's Eve!

You can read all about it here. http://www.catholiccompany.com/content/Oplatki-Christmas-Tradition.cfm

And I'll close out the year with this just in time entry from my oldest, dearest and coolest friend, Audrey

See you in 2014!

It is what it is...
Namaste

So Long... Farewell

I LOOOOOVE the end of the year lists! The best/worst of songs, movies, books, etc. Its always interesting to see croaked. ( Colin told me to add croaked) 

 While we all remember the more famous people such as Nelson Mandela, Corey Montieth, Margret Thatcher, Ed Koch, James Gandolfini, Annette Funicello and Paul Walker. let's take a closer look at what other lesser known folk said Goodbye in 2013.

Conrad Bain, 89. Veteran stage and film actor who became a star in middle age as the kindly white adoptive father of two young African-American brothers in the TV sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes.” Jan. 14.

Andre Cassagnes, 86. Inventor of Etch A Sketch, toy that generations of children drew on, shook up and started over. Jan. 16.

Pauline Friedman Phillips, 94. Under the name of Abigail Van Buren, she wrote the long-running “Dear Abby” newspaper advice column read by millions. Jan. 16.

Patty Andrews, 94. Last of the singing Andrews Sisters trio whose hits such as the rollicking “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” and the poignant “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” captured the home-front spirit of World War II. Jan. 30.

Lavonne “Pepper” Paire-Davis, 88. A star of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League in the 1940s and an inspiration for the central character in the movie “A League of Their Own.” Feb. 2.

Essie Mae Washington-Williams, 87. Mixed-race daughter of one-time segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond who kept her parentage secret for more than 70 years. Feb. 3.

Interesting that  these next 2 died within days of each other.

Debi Austin, 62. She smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat to illustrate her struggle with nicotine addiction in a public service advertisement. Feb. 22. Cancer.

C. Everett Koop, 96. He raised the profile of the surgeon general by riveting America’s attention on the then-emerging disease known as AIDS and by railing against smoking. Feb. 25.

George Lowe, 89. Last surviving climber from the team that made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. March 20.

Joe Weider, 93. Legendary figure in bodybuilding who helped popularize the sport and played a key role in introducing young weightlifter Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world. March 23.

John Williamson, 80. Pioneer of the 1960s sexual revolution as co-founder of Topanga Canyon’s Sandstone Retreat, where nudity and free love once took place with abandon. March 24. Cancer.

Joyce Brothers, 85. Pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long career as a syndicated columnist, author, and TV and film personality. May 13.

Rev. Andrew Greeley, 85. Outspoken Roman Catholic priest, best-selling author and Chicago newspaper columnist who criticized church hierarchy over the child sex abuse scandal. May 29.

Richard Ramirez, 53. Serial killer known as the Night Stalker who left satanic signs at murder scenes during a reign of terror in the 1980s. June 7. Liver failure.

Slim Whitman, 90. Country singer who sold millions of records through TV ads in the 1980s and 1990s and whose song saved the world in the film comedy “Mars Attacks!” June 19.

Charles “Chuck” Foley, 82. His Twister game launched decades of awkward social interactions at parties. July 1.

Doug Engelbart, 88. Visionary who invented the computer mouse and developed other technology that has transformed the way people work, play and communicate. July 2.

Virginia Johnson, 88. Half of the husband-wife research team that transformed the study of sex in the 1960s and wrote two best-selling books on sexuality. July 24.

Robert R. Taylor, 77. He put soap in pump bottles and forever changed the way people wash up. Aug. 29. Cancer.

Ray Dolby, 80. American inventor and audio pioneer who founded Dolby Laboratories. Sept. 12.

Barbara Park, 66. Former class clown who channeled her irreverence into the million-selling mishaps of grade-schooler Junie B. Jones. Nov. 15. - Foreshadowing (nice use of literary term) More on Barb soon…

Diane Disney Miller, 79. Walt Disney’s daughter and one of his inspirations for building the Disneyland theme park. Nov. 19.

Sylvia Browne, 77. Psychic who made frequent appearances on programs such as “Larry King Live” and “The Montel Williams Show.” Nov. 20. Come on we all have seen her at least once on those shows.

Mikhail Kalashnikov, 94. His work as a weapons designer for the Soviet Union is immortalized in the name of the world’s most popular firearm, the AK-47 assault rifle, which is often called “a Kalashnikov.” Dec. 23.

Soledad Mexia, 114. She was the oldest living person in California and the fifth-oldest in the world when she died in Chula Vista. Aug. 29.

It is what it is…

Namaste

Girl's Day

My friend, Sarah and I took another friend, Maria for a Girl's Day. Maria is one of my fitness instructors and is a super awesome, positive person. I have know her for years, since Colin and Molly were in preschool together. Maria is having some major problems with her eyes right now. She is basically going blind at age 50. It was heartbreaking when she posted on Facebook that she had to give up he keys. So we are all trying to be extra nice to her right now... just kidding, we are always nice to her. And she is not the kind of person to throw a pity party and invite all of her friends. We are all now her "girl guides".

There was a Living Social Deal for a place I had never heard of called The Salt Room. Its in La Jolla. So its fancy.
http://saltroomlajolla.com/ It looked cool so I purchased 2 deals and put it on Facebook to see if any of my friends were in. It seemed like something to do with friends. I had Maria in mind when I originally got the deal and today was the perfect day to go de stress with friends. (not that I am really stressed but some people are)

At The Salt Room La Jolla we reproduce the microclimate of a natural salt cave by using a special device called a halogenetator and covering the room entirely in salt! Now, for the first time you can treat the symptoms of inflammation and discomfort of respiratory problems, skin ailments and stress by using a safe, all natural and drug-free method. Salt Therapy is based on the principle of prolonged exposure to the microclimate found in natural salt mines or salt caves. The Salt Room La Jolla is one of only a few in the U.S. that uses salt from The Dead Sea and patented state of the art technology to reproduce the atmosphere of a salt cave with a monitored therapeutic microclimate. The air in our Salt Room is ionized and saturated with a natural substance – a low concentration of curative highly dispersed aerosol of dry saline (salt).

The microclimate in our Salt Rooms is formed naturally, through convective diffusion from the salt walls combined with controlled temperature and humidity. This creates a hypo-bacterial and allergen-free air environment.

In our salt room, the dry-salt enriched air contains tiny salt particles that are not noticeable and easily inhaled with natural breathing. By comfortably sitting and breathing normally for a prolonged period, low concentrations of salt are delivered to where it is most needed – deep in the lungs, where the salt then dissolves phlegm in the bronchial tubes and kills micro-organisms that cause infections. The phlegm, allergens, bacteria and any small impurities are later coughed up by the patient or leave the body through other natural metabolic ways. The treatment works to reduce the basis of inflammation by destroying bacteria and strengthening the immune system.

Salt is a negative ion and has a natural calming effect. Salt Therapy is 100% natural, drug-free and non-invasive. Although Salt Room Therapy is new to the United States, in many countries in Eastern Europe the therapy is considered a conventional therapy. Our therapies can be used as a complementary treatment or as a sole treatment. Salt Room Therapy is suitable for adults and children from the age of 6 months and up.

Here's the review.

You enter into a spa like setting with lots of cool looking products. We were greeted by a very cute and young woman who had us sign in and fill out waiver forms. The actual salt room is about the size of a dentist office. The walls are covered in salt and the floor is like a sand box filled with pebble size salt crystals. In fact, there are sand toys for kids to play with. Its supposed to be very good for allergies and other respiratory problems. You wear your regular clothes and sit in zero gravity chairs and relax. I was a little itchy since I have been having some dry skin lately but my skin feels great now. My sinuses feel like they have been rinsed with salt water and are very clear. I don't know if I would go again without a "groupon" of some sort since its pretty pricey. $45 for a 45 minute session and its a tad far to go just to go. But I thoroughly enjoyed today.

Of course we had to have brunch afterward... with mimosas. We chose the pomegranate ones because they have health antioxidants at the historic Brockton Villa overlooking La Jolla cove. http://www.brocktonvilla.com/

It is what it is...
Namaste

I LOOOOOOVE Heaven!

One of my mom's best friends past away on Saturday. Paula texted me the news today. I was sad until I got this hysterical picture in my mind of Bobbi (my mom) and her friend, Madalyn reuniting in heaven. 

Some background:

Bobbi, Ginny and Madalyn grew up together in Irvington, NJ. Ginny and Madalyn are sisters. Bobbi and Ginny were best friends. As they grew older they were all best friends. Ginny moved "down the shore" to Brick, NJ. When the house next door became available, my parents bought it, my mom and her best friend lived next door to each other. They loved it. Madalyn took the train on weekends to visit. Madalyn worked as a librarian for the NJ Institute of Technology. She was always very proud of her job and her relationship with the students there. Madalyn was such a well rounded person. She took frequent trips to the museums in NYC and saw many Broadway shows. She was an avid sports fan and loved the horseraces. 

What I remember most about Madalyn is that she LOOOOOOVVED everything. Not just liked something, nor loved it. She LOOOOVED it!!!!

I LOOOVE purple!!!!

I LOOOVE herring!!!

I LOOOVE  bleach!!!

I LOOOVE champagne!!!

I LOOOVE Paris!!!

I LOOOVE New York!!!

I LOOOVE  the library!!!

I LOOOVE your dad!!!!

I LOOOVE  baseball!!!

I LOOOVE  hockey!!!

What ever it was, Madalyn LOOOOVED it!

In 2005, we took a trip to NYC to see a work of art by the famous artists Christo and Jean-Claude called"The Gates".

7,503 saffron colored nylon gates were set up through out Central Park. It was to be the highlight of our trip. Our group consisted of  me, Paula, Mom, Ginny, Madalyn and maybe my cousin, Joanne. We couldn't wait to see them. We imagined these beautiful saffron banner type things blowing in the breeze. We all though saffron was going to be yellowish with a tinge of orange. The gates were traffic cone orange. My mom was horrified. Paula and I cracked up. Madalyn and my mom got into a huge argument about saffron and what these "gates" were supposed to look like. Of course Madalyn LOOOVVED!!! them. Bobbi hated them and we were never to bring them up again. Which of course we did. 

Now 2 of the 3 are gone. 

The picture I saw in my mind was mom  wearing a classic white pant suit outfit with her white angel wings meeting up with Madalyn, wearing the white sweat shirt and white sweat pants outfit that she wore when she wasn't wearing her purple sweat outfit of the same type and her white angle wings saying, "Oh Bobbi!!!! I LOOOOOOVE Heaven!!!!" 

It is what it is...

Namaste

The Christmas Pickle 2013 Edition

If you remember last year Cara was so obsessed with the pickle ornament, she broke it and was devastated.

Flash to this year. I decorate the tree. Ok, Cara decorates the tree since Phyllis was not here to help. She quit 3/4 of the way so that's what decorated this year. Random ornaments everywhere. And nothing in the back. Cookie Queen Paula always puts the "bad" ones in the back.

A few days later:
Cara: Did you hide the pickle?
Me: yes
Cara: Yay! and she goes to look on the tree. Is it on the tree?
Me: Its hidden.
Cara: Yea but where?
Me: its hidden. You're in that smart kid class. Define hidden.

She can't find it and gives up. Same story a few days later...

Then. Colin

Colin: Mom, did you hide the pickle?
Me: Yes.
Colin: Did Cara already find it?
Me: No.
So he starts looking. And can't find it.
Colin: Mom, where's the pickle?
Me: Its hidden.
Colin: Yea but where?
Me: its hidden. You're in that smart kid class. Define hidden.

A few days later, Nathan, the kid I tutor comes over and something we were working on made me start talking about the pickle and I tell him the tradition about the first person that finds the pickle gets a dollar. We get done and I have to drive him home. Colin asks him if he wants to help him look for the pickle. Nate originally says no but I told him it can any person to find it and that person will get the dollar. So Nate and Colin look for the pickle together. Which is funny because Colin is about 5'9 and Nate is about 4'9. Colin looks in the top and Nate looks near the bottom.

Nate: Is there really a pickle here?
Me: Yes.
Nate: Where is it?
Me: Its hidden.
Nate: Yea but where?
Me: its hidden. You're in that smart kid class. Define hidden.
Colin: What's it look like?
Me: a pickle
Colin: What size is it?
Me: pickle size?
Colin: But what kind of pickle size?
Me: Like the size Dad puts in his drink? Regular pickle size.
Colin: Like a whole pickle, not a pickle slice or a pickle chip or sandwich pickle or a pickle spear?
Me: Regular whole pickle.
Colin: Well, what color is it?
Me: green, like most pickles.
Colin: Well, What kind of pickle? dill, bread and butter...
Me: Its an ORNAMENT PICKLE! DUH! Nate, Let's go. Tell your mom to get a pickle ornament.

Still looking for that pickle...

It is what it is...
Namaste

Tales From the Carpool Lane

I'm running late to pick the boys up today. As I pull up to the usual pick up spot I see:

Colin, Andrew, Jack, Brendan and Eric sitting on the public bus stop bench. As I pull closer, I see they are all reading. Nice, I think. Getting a start on the HW. As I get closer still, I see they all have their pants down around their ankles. They look like they are all taking a sh**.

They hop over to the van with their pants still around the ankles.

Me: What are you doing??????? You know what you look like?
Andrew: Yea, Like we are taking a dump. That's what we are trying to do. You interrupted us. Can someone pass the sports section.

It is what it is...
Namaste

If I would have thought faster, I would have taken a picture before they all moved. It was hysterical.

Your Holiday Wardrobe

One of my favorite magazines is Real Simple for several reasons. The first one is that I don't remember ever paying for it yet it shows up in my mailbox every month. I hope that somehow happens with the cocktail of the month club, Julibox. https://www.julibox.com/ The second being I find that there is a fat, glossy magazine full of articles, products and tips that we all need to follow titled Real Simple. What an oxymoron. (like my use of fancy, literary terms?)

The December cover says its  my one stop holiday guide. Alrighty then. Let's see what's inside.

I can get 10 party outfits from 7 mix and match pieces. Because we all know that there are 10 parties that I will be going to. And so will all of the  people I know. 

All these pieces look fairly normal. Well, except for that skirt with the feathers. Being someone who hates birds and find them freakish, I would not voluntarily dress myself like one. Lets see a few of the outfits.

As you can see, I'm having a difficult time formatting the pictures. You can see all the looks here: http://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/clothing/party-outfits-00100000112513/index.html

In case you were wondering, the grand total for these 7 pieces, that would only look good on 10% of the 21-35 age women who are the target age group, without shoes or accessories or sales tax $1,883. I guess no one gets any presents so I can get my party clothes. Especially that $500 feather skirt. 

It is what it is...

Namaste

Punch

It was an awesome night for In the Mood! I sold a ton of jewelry caramels and cherry bombs. It was a brilliant idea to put them in the punch!

If you want a suggestion for your holiday party try this... everyone raved about it.

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/mothers-ruin-punch

It is what it is...
Namaste

How Cool is Your School?

Before I get, "Where have you been? Are you OK? Where's the blog?" This is what I have been doing:

The caramel factory is in full swing. Actually making the caramel takes the least amount of time. Only about 30 min. The cooling, cutting and wrapping takes the longest. Luckily, I was able to borrow 2 more Pampered Chef (the products of choice for In the Mood) bar pans to aid in production. 3 of the 5 pans I made today for almost 12lbs. 

Wangenheim Middle School was featured yesterday on the SD Fox5 news series Get to Know Your School. They did 4 segments focusing on the band (awesome!) and the wood/metal shop. The band is award winning but Wangenheim is one of the only middle schools with a full on wood and metal shop.  I think Colin has had one or the other every single semester so far. He even had it 2 periods a day last year because he was pulled from PE with all his health issues. He has probably had more shop than any kid in recent memory. Cara also loves shop and has made a bunch of projects including the Rudolphs you can see in the video. This link will take you to the 4 video segments.

http://www.sandi.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=11981&ModuleInstanceID=46527&ViewID=047E6BE3-6D87-4130-8424-D8E4E9ED6C2A&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=81763&PageID=35923

 #1 band

#2 wood shop. Colin is in the very back left working with some type of saw. He is wearing a gray shirt.

#3 metal shop. Colin is the student behind the teacher and the news person. He takes off his welding face mask.

#4 metal shop. Colin is working on welding a candle holder. He is wearing a green jacket and face mask. You can see him after the kid with the blow torch.

Tonight I went to see the 3rd kid, Andrew in his band concert. He plays percussion. 

Andrew is featured on the chimes and snare drum in this song, Comets in Winter Sky. This is only part of the song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdsXT0HHPjs

This is the combined orchestra, band and choir finale playing Sleigh Ride. Pretty good for middle school.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkAZdzsrLQ

It is what it is...

Namaste

The Gift Exchange

Wendy's annual Cookie/Gift Exchange was just lovely. We all brought a potluck dish and a $10 gift. I brought baked brie with mango/pepper jelly.
My gift was a scarf with the scarf jewelry.

Cara brought an ipod alarm clock that I had gotten on clearance just for this purpose.
No prank gifts. Although I haven't been in at least 5 years, it was pretty much the same and although I didn't really know anyone, everyone was friendly and nice. Wendy is a great hostess and kept things moving along with a few surprises. Things like the person who has a sticker on the bottom of the plate gets a prize. Most steals in the gift exchange gets a prize, etc...

The selling point for Cara was the gift exchange. We play the one where everyone gets a number and you can steal from anyone before you. #1 and a high number are the best. Now, you may know that The Office on Netflix is a favorite show around here. We watch it 24/7 some days. On one of the Christmas episodes they do a gift exchange. Everyone is trying to steal the popular gift which is an ipod and no one wants the mittens. Its hysterical, especially with the quirky people on that show. Cara thought it would be JUST like that. As a veteran of this particular gift exchange, I know better. There is not too much stealing. Sometimes, none. That's just how it is.

Cara: What if a kid gets an adult gift, like wine.
Me: You don't need to worry. They won't have any booze at this party.
Cara: How do you know?
Me: I just know.

There are only 3 kids, Cara, Maya and Riley. There are not too many kid friendly gifts ...like candy.

I get #5. Cara gets #17. She is super happy. Wendy's 9 year old niece, Maya, gets #2 or 3. Maya chooses an unopened package and gets a snowman candle. She looks very disappointed.

Me: whispering to Cara. I'm going to steal Maya's candle so she can pick again.
Cara: That's really nice. If you see something better, I'll steal her candle so she can choose again. I want her to get to pick again.

Then someone chooses Maya's gift. Its Starbucks Hot Cocoa and Giradelli Chocolates. Cara really wants that so I steal it thinking that Cara can steal from me. Someone steals the cocoa and candy. So Cara tells me to steal the 12 Days of Christmas coffee variety instead of choosing an unopened gift. So I do. I think Cara secretly wants to try the flavored coffee.

Finally, it comes to Cara's turn. She steals Maya's candle (which she has made friends with by this point and really wants it) Maya is so happy. What does she do??? Steals a sparkly bird candle from someone else and doesn't go for the last unopened gift!

On the way home:
Cara: I thought the gift exchange would be different.
Me: Like how?
Cara: You know, funnier, like The Office
Me: Well you know The Office is a TV show. People write it so its funny.
Cara: I know but I still thought it would be like that.
Me: Did you have fun?
Cara: Yea, when I wasn't feeling awkward.

It is what it is...
Namaste

Our coffee and snowman candle

The results of cookie exchange. All yummy, no duds.

Cookie Time

Colin's soccer team lost both their games...in the pouring rain yesterday in the Area Championships. Not that's any surprise. The decision was made that the games for today would be canceled and only the winning teams would play next week. SOCCER IS OVER!!!! (and hopefully the drama that goes with it) But then again, baseball is starting up. I'll save that for another day.

Thinking I actually will have a free Sunday, I think about going to yoga and then down to El Cajon in the afternoon to take Seth home. And maybe a mimosa or some other adult libation. But something is nagging at me. I look at my calendar and I see that is Wendy's annual cookie party and gift exchange. I haven't been able to make that in years. Mostly because of soccer... did I mention SOCCER IS OVER!!!! But its after 7pm, I haven't RSVPed by the right date and I have no plan to make the required 4 dozen cookies. And Paula, the Cookie Queen, is not here to do it for me.  I text Wendy and its still OK to go. YAY! I'm not making cookies after 8pm, just not happenin' so I figure something will come to me by the morning. And I'm NOT going to the store. I have to have all the ingredients on hand.

I'm always trying to use up our millions of limes so I Google lime cookie recipes and find one that needs no chilling time. No time for that. Its 8am and I have to leave at 11. I decided on Chewy Lime Sugar cookies from some blogger.  http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/chewy-lime-sugar-cookies/
It was in the top 3 Google hits. Go outside I go to pick a few limes. The recipe called for flaked coconut but no coconut here today. I subbed in some ginger. All the bath products are ginger-lime so why not my cookies.

I'm pretending to be a food blogger.

Zesting the lime

Chopped lime zest and ginger

Before

And after

The final tin

Speaking of cookies, here are  the disappointing results of the Stanton Holly Trail Silver Tea cookies that I posted about last year.

Thankfully Paula was safely tucked away at the Buffalo Farm

selling candy and other treats. That she made and expertly packaged...

It is what it is...
Namaste

The Museum of Tolerance

The short story:
7:30 am - leave Wangenheim Middle School. 2 buses 100 kids 8 adults
11:15 am - arrive at the museum in LA after a 4 hour bus ride. 1 pit stop for bathroom and vending machines
11:30 am - tour the museum and do the interactive exhibits.
2:15 pm - leave the museum
7:10 pm - arrive back at Wangenheim. 1 pit stop in Laguna Nigel for McD's, Wiener Schnitzel or 7-11

The long story, not including the 8 hours on the bus in heavy, stop and go traffic to LA and back:
 The Museum of Tolerance is an interactive museum dedicated to educating the public about the Holocaust and crimes against humanity. You can read more about it. http://www.museumoftolerance.com/site/c.tmL6KfNVLtH/b.4865925/k.CAD7/HomeMOT.htm

There are 2 sections to the school tour. The first is about what is going on in the world today highlighting personal and societal responsibility.

 Tolerance and Intolerance

There were tons of computers that were hooked up to websites that on the surface looked like they were about tolerance and peace but were actually highly racist, terrorist or sexual.

We did interactive experiences about teenage drunk driving,

terrorism and child abuse, including child labor workers, child sex trade, children soldiers and children sold into slavery to pay family debts.

The kid... and adults were definitely made to think. And what we thought was not necessarily true... or right.

The second section was about the Holocaust. We all received cards with the picture and name of a child that was affected in some way by the Holocaust. We swiped the cards at different stations along the way to see what was happening to our "person". Fittingly enough, I got a boy from Poland, Yezik Wielkabroda, who was born and raised in a small town and then was imprisoned in the Warsaw Getto. Like so many others, he was no one special, just a regular kid, who was born in the wrong place, at the wrong time and a Jew.

After several engaging multi media presentations about the history, causes and results of the Nazi's and Hitler,

the tour culminated in actually walking through a replica of the gas chamber doorways at Auschwitz. They were marked "Children and Others" and "Able bodied".

We then sat in a replica gas chamber and listened to personal stories as we watched graphic images and photos.

It was very unsettling as an adult. At the beginning, we were given the option to leave if we needed to. Some kids in other groups cried but no one left. Finally we got a printout to keep that told what happened to our "person". Almost everyone I compared with said, "Never heard from again."

Everyone I talked to wished we had more time to look at the actual artifacts and read more at the exhibits.  It was a very moving and emotional experience. I highly recommend it for everyone.

"Hope lives when people remember" - Simon Wiesenthal

It is what it is...
Namaste

Tomorrow is the Big Field Trip to the Museum of Tolerance in LA. It's Big because its one of,  if not the only field trip of the year, except for the band who will get to go to Hollywood/Disneyland. For the entire school. Same old story - no money. And if you can't pay, no one can go.

Cara and I were discussing it as we went to Dollar Tree to stock up on some snacks.

Cara: Did you get to go on field trips when you were in school?
Me: Some - mostly I remember going to NY or Philadelphia and once to Washington DC. It was fun. We went on charter buses sometimes and we all brought lots of snacks.
Cara: We are going on school buses.
Me: What's our plan? Want to sit together?
Cara: Mooooom! Here's the deal. I talk to you in public, I even hug YOU in public. You can not hug me in the lineup at baseball tournaments and I would like to sit with my friends on the only field trip I will probably go on in middle school. It's all everyone has been talking about for the last 3 days. And I was thinking of sitting with someone that I don't know very well.
Me: Well, who am I going to sit with?
Cara: Isabelle's mom....or Colin- hahaha!

It is what it is...
Namaste

Queen of Christmas

The theme for the Pocher Family gift exchange is .....Groupon! Cara is the Secret Santa Coordinator again ansd she came up with the theme by herself. (although I can't be sure she didn't find it on YouTube somewhere) My vote was for mini-mart but I got vetoed. Some awesome items are showing up in our local 7-11. And that's in addition to wine and beer.  Here is the email she sent. I blacked out some of the names.

 Hello Mom,

   Yes, it's that time of the year again! This year the theme is...*Drum Roll*... Groupons! In order to buy for your person this year, you will need to sign up for groupon or living social, links will be below :). 

https://www.groupon.com/

https://www.livingsocial.com/

This year you're buying for Uncle Chuck, Colin is buying for Zack, Dad is buying for Auntie Paula, and I'm buying for Aunt Peggy! Good luck, have fun, and Happy Holidays!

Love the Secret Santa coordinator this year, 

Cara also decorated our tree... well mostly. Her goal was to see how many ornaments she could fit on the front. Without Phyllis here to help, Cara pooped out about 3/4 of the way done. Sooooo the ornament box is still sitting out, the extra box is still sitting out and the garage is still a wreck since those 2 boxes need to get back on the shelf before I can put the other stuff away. I want her to finish at least the couch side so when I sit there I see ornaments. Who sees the back anyway?

I subbed in one of my favorite Kinder classes today. I told the kids Ms. Bartig was stuck in Wisconsin and to be happy for Crazy Mix Up Day. The day went beautifully. There is an aide in the class from 8-11 because there are 3 spectrum kids and one super ADHD kid.  At least Ms Bartig  has help for part of the day with 28 5/6year olds. Sad isn't it? Liz, the aide asked me how I can be so patient with some of these kids. I told her I am here for 1 day. My goal is to have a happy and easy day. (I tell that to the kids too) 6 year olds want to have fun and are too young to be stressed out by school. Keep 'em busy and keep 'em movin'. I make up stuff all day long. 1 minute disco party anyone???

It is what it is...
Namaste

Black Friday

Since there was nothing I absolutely had to have and WalMart is not an option (more on that later), it was a slow Black Friday.
8am - Kohls: Keruig coffee maker. $99 on sale from $149, originally $189. Some pajamas for Cara and a blouse for me. 2 collage picture frames. Total $167.  $45 in Kohls cash.

8:40- walk past BB&B to check the price on the Keruig. $79! Dang! Had to buy that with the option of returning the Kohls one but then would lose $30 in Kohls cash so I had to figure out if I could get the jeans Scott wanted online since they didn't have his size in the store.

9:00- Dollar Tree for personal products and to see if they had any decorations. $4

9:15 - GameStop to check on the cost of the Pokemon game Cara wants. Yes... Pokemon...nerd. $0 it was $5 less on Amazon

9:20 - Radio Shack - new Smart phone for Cara. $50 Galaxy 4s. 2 pairs back up earbuds $14. Case $7 tax on phone $56. With other add ons total $16. Got a $50 Visa card and $20 Radio Shack cash. Ran into Andrew's mom and Jay. They told us how they waited in line at Walmart, Best Buy and Target. Each person had a goal to get a specific item(s). Scary.

10:15- Big 5. Phyllis looked at shoes, I looked at a pull-up bar that fits in door and an airsoft gun for Colin. $0

11:00 Denny's with Colin and Cara

1:30 - Soccer Loco. Colin has been saving his money for these fancy soccer shoes. $165. I threw in a $30 credit I had. He has been researching these forever. This was his second color choice but he decided to go with that rather than order online and not be able to use my credit.

 We found Andrew at our house and took him with us. He told us how he punched a guy who tried to take a video game out of his hand at Walmart. He waited in line for 6 hours. Scary

2:00 South Sun for some jewelry bargains.

4:00 - Lesley Pool Supply. 50% off coupon for chlorine for the spa. $28

4:30 - My friend, Linda's rival jewelry party. It was tough trying to find something that I couldn't make but she had awesome food and wine. $18

7 - home.

I got 9 catalogs in the mail today.

It is what it is...
Namaste

Happy Thanksgiving

The thankful list:
I am thankful that my life was not completely devastated by the typhoon in the Philippines. So I am happy that I may need to install handicapped railings around my toilet because my legs hurt so much from the fundraiser workout I went to at my gym today. Before I started drinking mimosas with Phyllis.

I am thankful for family and friends so I don't have to make an entire dinner and can skate by with my Parmesan rice casserole.
And sunsets

Black Friday plans include Kohls, Big 5 and Soccerloco. I'm so not camping out at Best Buy. Our theory is they are disgruntled  husbands, pretend camping to avoid holiday crazed wives.

And who has the Buddha in their front yard? Only in Mira Mesa.

It is what it is...
Namaste

It's a Dog's Life

Cara is trying to earn money for the 8th grade east coast trip (shameless plug) even though she is only in 7th. I'm pretty sure I posted about this some other time.

Anyway, she has a pet sitting job for friends of ours. In the past it has only been for 4 days at the most. This time its 9 days. Since I have to take her over to the house 4 times a day, I might as well call it my pet sitting job. And for $10 per day for Cara, it sure eats up a lot of my time. ( but that's what good parents do to instill a good work ethic, blah, blah, blah )

I decided to bring Nemo (their dog) to our house and see how that would work out with our dog Pi (the math, not the food). They also have a turtle named Spike but that only requires a trip once every other day.  Nemo is about 12 and has only 3 teeth left. He is timid and fat - ok svelte but on a doggie diet. He reminds me of a wind up toy. Wind him up, pause, and then he moves. Colin thinks she is a cross between a chihuahua and a koala.

Nemo

Pi

It's working out GREAT!!! Pi has a friend. Nemo is definitely getting younger. He even found his bark, as opposed to his wheeze. It is so funny to watch them. Pi is definitely the dominate dog as she can actually get on the furniture.

I wonder if Nemo is wondering where his family is. And if Pi wonders where we are when we go away and leave her with a friend.   What do dogs think? Could this be a video like What Does The Fox Say?

It is what it is...
Namaste

Tales from the Carpool Lane

Need I say it again? The car pool is a crack up. Friday's ride.
Me: Hi Colin.
Colin: blank stare
Me: Today's Friday! The day you have been waiting for! One week of sleep in, school free vacation!
Colin: blank stare. I know. I'm freaking out right now.
Me: Yea, I can totally tell. Your expression is exactly like your cranky one, your sad one, your happy one, your bored one, etc...hmmm maybe your eyes are open a little wider.
Colin: I'm working on my costume for next Halloween.
Me: blank stare
Colin: you know Ozil...Mesut Ozil the soccer player- the one with the big eyes?...I'm wearing his jersey right now.
Me: Soooo your going to be Ozil???
Colin: yea. I'm going to wear this jersey and open my eyes really big.

Colin is fascinated with this guy. He plays for the Arsenal, a British Premier League team. (I had to google this) Talks about him constantly as well as a few other pro soccer players.
This is Ozil. Notice the big eyes...

Jack gets in the car.
Jack: Guys, we really need to go Walmart for Black Friday. It's the great American pastime. Getting in a fight or even possibly stabbed for a $10 waffle iron on sale for $5.99. Where else but America can you do something like that? Maybe there will be a coffee maker. Walmart on Black Friday is the place for all your cheap appliance needs. Free stabbing without purchase.

Brendan: oh yea... We need to do that.

It is what it is...
Namaste

In The Mood Food

My In The Mood Jewelry biz is certainly taking a new direction.

At the Ericson Craft and Vendor fair on Thursday, I completely sold out of Mango Pepper Jelly, Strawberry Mint Jelly, Sea Salt Caramels and even my secret, not appropriate for a school craft fair, 70's throwback, Brandy Fruit. I had 12 jars of each and 4 lbs of caramels. Not bad for a local school.

And I also took an order for 10 lbs of caramels from the trail mix vendors (my new bffs) and...3 lbs from the Cookie Lee vendor (rival jewelry). Today I posted that I was taking orders for Mango Pepper Jelly on Facebook and sold 20 jars in an hour.  In case you don't know, Mango Pepper jelly is awesome on a baked brie, over a block of cream cheese or marscapone. You can even use it as a glaze for chicken or salmon. That kept me busy today. I guess I'm going to have to get my food handlers certificate to start to legitimize this end of the business.

My lime trees are going crazy. I'll have to whip up a batch of Lime Jelly. Its great with cream cheese. Its a Margarita for your bagel.

It is what it is...
Namaste

Why I Love/Hate The Internet

The internet is a huge time suck. What I could have been doing for the past 2 hours...

reading

jarring up the Brandy Fruit

laundry

watching a movie

making jewelry

vacuuming

exercising

actually using the internet to order more labels for my sea salt caramels and working on Little Leqgue stuff.

What I have been doing for the past 2 hours

looking at Facebook and getting sidetracked by blog posts that I follow

getting sidetracked by looking at blog posts that are linked to the original blog posts and so on...

I learned how to make star shaped crayons from old crayons ( I actually knew how to do this but it got me thinking about all the old crayons I have that are no longer used. Then I wondered why I would do this because then I would still have the crayons but in a different form.)

I learned the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do.
 http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2013/11/18/mentally-strong-people-the-13-things-they-avoid/

In case you want to read up on this. Good news - I am quite mentally strong. ( I knew this as well)

I learned I totally want someone to sign me up for this for Christmas.  https://www.julibox.com/
Its a cocktail of the month club! How awesome is that? Then I found out there are tons of subscription of the month clubs that I didn't know about. I know about them now. You can too.
http://lifehacker.com/the-best-subscription-gifts-you-can-give-1469248862

I also learned how to make tons of detox tonics, cleaning products and 17 Fun Things to Do With Pine Cones http://www.homemadehomeideas.com/17-fun-things-to-make-with-pine-cones/ because I have so many pine cones that I need 17 fun things to do with them.

Then I finally ordered the labels and spent 20 more minutes trying to design an iphone case that goes with the labels and new business cards. Which I did not order.

Then I decided I needed to blog about how I  can get lost in webland.

Verdict - the internet is a time suck. Best get off it now.

It is what it is...
Namaste

One Of My Go To's

Do you ever have to bring a dish somewhere? Do you have a "Go To"? 

The best "go to's" are not fancy, use regular ingredients and are what everyone loves but don't ever make. You know, high in calories, high in taste , delish and get rave reviews. No leftovers and everyone wants more. 

And ready when your husband , aka Scott, says can you make cheesy potatoes for my potluck tomorrow?

Cheesy Potatoes

Its so easy, anyone can do it.

2 cans cream of...soup. Use whatever kind you like such as cream of mushroom, potato, cheese, garlic, etc. You can mix and match.

1/2 container of sour cream (so 8 oz total)

1 chopped onion sauteed in some butter, salt and pepper

2 BIG handfuls of shredded cheese ( cheddar,  3 cheese mix, mexican blend  etc whatever you like)

1 package of frozen hash brown potatoes -the shredded kind not the cubes.

*secret ingredient* Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning ( few shakes or as much as you like)

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Grease a 9x13 pan or use cooking spray

3. Mix the soup, sour cream, sauteed onion and cheese and the Tony Chachere's in a big bowl

4. Add the frozen hash browns

5. Spread in the pan. Cover with foil.

6. Bake about 40 minutes

7. Take foil off and broil until the top is brown and crisp.

8. Bring to your office potluck and amaze your coworkers.

 

Cook it up, eat it up and impress your coworkers, friends, family and peeps in general.

It is what it is...

Namaste

New Day New Look

I'm Baaaaaaack!
So I only took 2 days off.  I know y'all missed me. And were worried about when you would see my blog again.

Even though I have to get ready for the Ericson Craft Show today and take care of our friends dog and make cheesy potatoes for Scott's potluck today what do I do? Sit in my pajamas for 2 hours and work on my new look. Priorities people, priorities.

Some of my new items for the craft show.

 Brandy Fruit

 Healing Salt Scrub

 Soothing Lotion

And a custom Hello Kitty Bracelet 

It is what it is...
Namaste