Homecoming 2010

This week has been busy and tiring due to all the activities of Homecoming!

I guess it really began a few weeks ago when Kyle met a Varsity cheerleader named Marina and asked her to go to Homecoming with him. At first it was just a date and then it quickly became a girlfriend/boyfriend situation. This now meant I had to purchase a mum for him to give her and I decided to go with a "real" mum like I had when I went. These days everyone does the silk mum and I wanted Marina to have something different. So, I ordered it a couple of weeks ago and picked out all the ribbons and trinkets that go on it.

The Homecoming game against Red Oak was going to be an exciting one especially since the Pirates were now 3-0 after having at least three prior losing years. The new coach, Randy Jackson, has really brought this team into a new rhythm and made use of the talent that has been here all along. The unfortunate thing is that Kyle has been sidelined with a broken foot since the beginning of school and is dying to get in there and kick some ass too!

I got to meet Marina's family and am thrilled to say we all get along so well and seem to have a lot in common. Her mother and I love to talk and she even works for a company I deliver Panera to. Marina has three younger siblings that are adorable and love Kyle. The two boys play football too, so they really look up to him and think he's "cool"! He's been spending a lot of time going to their games and hanging out with them. They are a fun family so I understand why! Kyle and I went to their house to see the viewing of Marina's dress for the dance and ended up staying a couple of hours just talking!

Homecoming festivities began Thursday night with the "team dinner" then a quick trip to Marina's grandparents for the exchange of mums (hers ended up being a silk one because there was a problem with the mum crop this year) and pictures, Friday morning was the pep rally which was a lot of fun for everyone. I'm not certain there was much school work happening that day. The game was last night and man was it intense. At half-time we were losing 0-14 but the boys came back and ended up tying the game with 30 seconds left on the clock. Those boys were fighting for every yard and did it. Then in over-time Red Oak scored the first touch down but missed the field goal so then it was Poteet's turn. BANG, the touch down was made by a pass to Justin Valasquez (Homecoming King) and Stewert MacDonnell made the field goal making the score 21-20 Pirates! The entire stadium was on their feet practically the entire last quarter and when we won everyone erupted in cheers and some of us were in tears! It was so COOL especially to see some returning graduates so happy for the team. I ended up going up to the school after the game to continue congratulating the guys and when I arrived there were a slew of kids waiting too with their car stereo playing music and dancing so guess who got into the groove too? MEEE!!! Everyone's adrenaline was flowing and they all thought I was a cool mom! No one ended up going to sleep until early in the morning. Kyle had to be up early to be at workouts this morning and when he came home looked totally spent. We were still talking about the game and Kyle told me that Coach tells the boys to play each game as a dedication to someone and said that Rodney told him after the game that he dedicated the game last night to him because he knew that if there was anyone that wanted to be out there playing more than anyone, it was him. I almost cried thinking how wonderful and selfless that was to do for Kyle. Kyle is so lucky to have such a special group of friends! After relaxing for several hours it was time to iron Kyle's clothes for the dance and get myself dressed to help out with getting the kids into the dance. I left before Kyle so I didn't get to see him all dressed up but he and Marina went to her grandparent’s house for pictures and then made their arrival to the dance and were a sight to behold. I got to see all my sweet kids dressed up and enjoyed telling all of them how good they looked. I left at 9 and then went to Anna's for a bite to eat and a drink and am now home feeling exhausted waiting for Kyle to get home to ask how the night went!

Tomorrow should be a lazy day!

Grocery Shopping

This may sound ridiculous, but I enjoy my trips to the grocery store! I get in my own little world, do some people watching and am by myself. So, today while I was shopping I asked myself this question, "Why do entire families have to go to the store at the same time?”

Of course, I decided to venture out to Wal-Mart, the busiest damn store of all and it was crowded and the lines at the register were about a 20 minute wait. I usually go to my local Kroger where the employees are friendly and know me and I've found that the prices are slightly lower but for some reason the urge to roam a huge, get it all in one stop store, took over my, what is usually sensible, brain! It happened to me the other day too while driving through Seagoville on the way back to work after a delivery.

While in the Seagoville store (yes, Wal-Mart too) I observed a wide variety of people and noticed that most of them had teeth missing. I am not one to judge, but just wondered why so many people could walk around in public with missing teeth, especially in the front where they could be seen. I understand the state the economy is in and some people may be strapped for money to see a dentist, but for God's sake, put down the cases of beer and cigarettes and save that money for a tooth!

Now, back to today’s little adventure. I learned a long time ago that it is best to do my grocery shopping by myself because if I left it up to my husband he would buy the super large quantity items and if there is a sale on something, he'd buy as many as he could get. Yea, that makes sense if you have the room to store it plus there are only 3 of us in our house and it’s just not logical, to me that is. So, here I am maneuvering up and down the isles which are jammed with carts and entire households mulling over items, children running around your legs and climbing in and out of the baskets, parents thinking it's cute to let their kids push the basket, cranky seniors in motorized carts that can't drive, cranky, screaming kids that just want to be at home watching Barney and then to top it all off, the women with their huge notebook or box of coupons strategizing in the isle how they're going to save a buck! Oh, I forgot about the crazy guy, who I suspect had Turrets Syndrome, yelling obscenities throughout the store (always a great scene for the kiddos)!

Good grief, leave the kids at home with dad, cut and organize your coupons at home and learn to drive your cart! Do you realize how much easier shopping could be if this could happen? Wow, shopping would be a relaxing adventure for everyone. For me, it's a comedy in the making and I see humor up every isle!

This is just my opinion and when I got home I asked John why entire families had to go shopping together and he said, "Because they love each other". What? Let's see what happens next time I need to go and ask him and Kyle to come with me! Do you know how much more money I'll spend with the two of them at my heels?

Since I've been discussing the grocery store, here's a healthy recipe for you to try.

Veggies On Top
by Christine Spangler Bilas

1/4 cup Olive Oil
3 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1 Lemon (juice)
Salt
Pepper
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
½ Red Onion
2 Carrots
5 Mushrooms
½ Broccoli head
1 Bell Pepper
¼ cup Red Wine
Parsley (handful, chopped)
4 cups Rice (prepared)

Slice all vegetables into nice big pieces and place all in a bowl. Add garlic, lemon, salt and pepper to taste and toss. Set aside.

Heat skillet with olive oil on medium and when pan and oil is hot place all the vegetables in skillet. After 5 minutes add wine and continue to sauté until vegetables are golden and soft yet still crunchy, about 10-15 minutes.

While vegetables are sautéing toss parsley in rice and distribute on 3 serving plates. Once veggies are done, remove from skillet and place on top of rice. Serves 3

You can also serve this dish with steak, chicken, pork or shrimp. Just prepare separately and then add to each plate.

Summer's End

August 24, 2010


Well, its been a while since I've written and now it is time to catch up on the end of summer's events.

At the end of July I finally took a week of vacation and thought I was going to get some rest before losing my favorite assistant and best friend Christa to nursing school, and maybe a little get-away to Houston but I decided to stay home and save the gas money. Good thing I did because it just so happened that Kyle decided to break his foot during spring training and John's 18-wheeler had to have some repairs done to it. So basically, I spent my days having to drive Kyle around (his foot was in a "boot") and toting John back and forth to the mechanics lot. Oh, I wasn't really off all week because I still worked at the rodeo on the weekend! When I did return to work (Panera) I had Christa for one week and then off she went and I was left alone to do all the catering and stress out over having to train a new guy that Jeff (GM) hired without any input from me.

Kyle wore the "boot" for a week and then slowly returned to normal workouts until two weeks ago when he began complaining that it was still hurting so off to Dr. Sterling we went. After x-rays, MRI and my panic attack over how I was going to pay for all this (luckily the school insurance helped) he has definitely broken his foot and now must be in the "boot" for 6-8 weeks and out of football games until the last 3-4 games. I feel so bad for him because he loves the game and works so hard and because of his horrible mother (yes, me) he is out for this long just because I didn't take him when it actually happened! This I learned from my mother, we just don't run to the doctor for every little thing! Hell, I had a concussion when I was a teen and she didn't take me to the doctor...maybe that's what’s wrong with me!!

Let's see, what else is going on? John had to sell our 1980 Corvette yesterday for half its worth because it blew a rod and it would cost too much to fix. Now I must wait to see what he'll get next! Scary! God forbid he put it towards bills! I've never had any expensive toys!

Several of my friends and co-workers are tired of working for someone else and want to have our own business so we are going to join forces and see what we can come up with! First we have to come up with a catchy name! Maybe if I have that to look forward to then going to my M-F job won't be so damn difficult!

School started yesterday and Kyle had a good day and seems pleased with his A day classes. One of them is pre-cal which I know nothing about and he tried showing me his text book from the class and all I could do is look at it with complete awe! I'm lucky I made it though algebra and geometry! Yuck, just the thought of it scares me! He still goes to all his workouts (he can do upper body weights) even with the "boot" and is a great cheerleader for the guys from the sideline. The Pirates won their scrimmage against Frisco last Friday and will be playing Royse City this Friday. He has even gained about 15 pounds to play on the line when he is healed so he will be fresh and ready to kick some butt when the time is right! I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments and the responsibility he displays thus far in his young life. I truly believe he will go far and do amazing things with his life. I can't wait to be a part of it and see what life has in store for him!

Well, that's it for now! Am going to work the concession stand at school for the Volleyball games and then have some huge-ass orders for tomorrow! I think my eye is beginning to hurt again...Ha! Ha! Ha!

Teen Drivers

How often do we stress (and STRESS OUT) to our new teen drivers to follow the "rules of the road", pay attention, no texting, no talking on phone, turn the radio down, look both ways, no goofing off? Apparently, I forgot to tell mine not to race his friends on the freeway at high rates of speed!

Last Friday night after my shift at the rodeo was over, one of the nice police officers I've known and worked with for over eight years approached me to discuss Kyle. Now, everyone who knows and works with me is aware of the shenanigans that go on between all of us at work so when this officer began to tell me that he pulled Kyle and his best friend Anthony over one day for racing I thought he was joking! Nope! Not joking! He caught Kyle and Anthony speeding up LBJ, he clocked Kyle at 86 and Ant faster and yes they were in their respective vehicles. What the hell were they thinking? Oh, they weren't thinking and that's the problem with teens, especially boys, in large, powerful hunks of metal with engines! I'm certain the look on my face was priceless and as I stood there in total embarrassment I began to make jokes as if it wasn’t a serious matter because I was in shock and disbelief.

Kyle has always been so good and hasn't ever been punished. I guess I always thought when he did do something wrong it would be drinking or staying out too late! I found myself thinking if this had anything to do with my lack of parenting or the fact that I was challenged by him and his friends to race up an "on-ramp" one night after work and agreed while beating both of them in my SUV (some role-model) or that I just like to drive fast myself (I have slowed down in the past several years) or was it because John would take him out in his corvette and drive the country roads fast? How about, he just wasn't thinking about the consequences that can happen in a split second?

I mentioned the information I'd received from the officer to Kyle and he just blew it off with, "I didn't get a ticket". No and he didn't go to jail either only because this officer is kind and did ME a favor! Well, the next morning I got to tell John about the matter. After I calmed him down we began discussing what needed to be done to ensure Kyle learned his lesson because he didn't seem to GET IT when I talked to him. Much to Kyle's dismay, John took his car away from him and made him drive his truck. He didn't like that at all and that was the topic at the rodeo that day. Unbeknownst to me, John took Kyle for a little ride Sunday and had a chit-chat! I hate not knowing what was discussed but it certainly made a point!

I felt so bad for having to come down on him and embarrass him, but a good parent won't just slap their child’s hand and say don't get caught again, but will make them realize their are consequences and responsibilities to their actions and until they learn that they have no privileges! Those are earned!!

Oh and I won’t be racing him or his friends anymore unless it’s around a race track!!!!

Tubing on the Guadalupe - Lodging on the otherhand???

Kyle and I recently went for a weekend in June to New Braunfels to go tubing on the Guadalupe and spend the weekend in a cabin (ha!) with my friend Christa and about 14 of her friends. Christa made all the arrangements at a location called Billy Goats Gruff and it only cost us $100/ea. I checked it out on their website and even though they didn't have a picture of the cabin (brand new) we'd be staying in there were photos of others and the campsite itself. It looked nice, clean, had a bar, tube rentals, shuttle service, river entrance, bathrooms and shower stalls.

So, our departure day (Friday, the weekend of Father's Day) arrived and we left after I finished working. Our drive was nice, we went through Austin and Kyle got to see the Longhorn's stadium and lots of traffic! It took us about 4 hours to finally get to River Rd. and what a scenic drive it was winding and following the path of the Guadalupe. We could see people in their tubes floating along and having a blast and we were getting anxious to get in the water ourselves.

Finally, we pulled into Billy Goats Gruff and proceeded to the check-in area (the bar). Christa and the other ladies had already arrived and out on the river so the manager pointed towards a building and told us to just go in, but if it was locked she'd let us in and we could park our car in front of the fence next to this building. I parked the car where I was told and tried the door to the building, which looked like a big storage shed, but it was locked. At this point, Kyle was telling me that couldn't be it and pointed to a really nice apartment-looking building just beyond the fence and said that had to be it. I was a little confused so I went back to the manager and told her the door was locked so to mine and Kyle's dismay she unlocked the door to the shed looking building. We stepped in and just stopped in the doorway, "Oh, my goodness! What have we gotten ourselves into?" Let me just say, we aren't snobby, but what we walked into wasn't what we'd even imagined. Here before us was a four-walled room, one tiny ceiling light, a small a/c window unit, four double bunk beds, a small college size refrigerator, ice chests and girls duffle bags, clothes, etc. strewn all over the place. Once we recovered from the shock and my overwhelming desire to pickup and organize the place, it was time for a drink and a dip in the river to await the arrival of the ladies from up river. Yes, it happened in that order!

After about an hour of socializing with fellow campers, Christa and the other's came floating up completely SMASHED! It was a funny scene especially helping them out of the river and trying to keep them standing up! We all headed back to the "cabin" and prepared dinner (oh, I made dinner) and as we approached our site I hear my name being called out and look up to see our neighbors daughter and her boyfriend camping in the space in front of the "cabin". Of all places to run into someone I know! Not only did I look like shit but I was with a bunch of wild and drunk girls and Kyle! Oh, well! I was there to have fun and relax! However, I was put at ease when I heard Christa and the others bitching about the accommodations too! I didn't complain, just simply told Kyle it was camping with the luxury of a bed and roof!

The evening was filled with lots more drinking (not by me! Kyle had a couple beers though), beer pong, loud music, dancing and finally vomit! I ended up sleeping maybe two hours and that was only after I went back outside and fell asleep in my chair under the stars!

We spent the entire next day (Saturday) floating up and down the river. It was so peaceful and full of groups of families and friends in their tubes hooked together with coolers or rafts just floating and having a good time! Kyle and I did get separated and he ended up with Christa and her group while I ended up with three of the other girls. We ended our tubing early and I waited in the river at our site for Kyle. While waiting I got to experience a game of "I'll throw you a jello shot if you show me your boobs, butt or penis"! Too bad Kyle missed out on this part of the trip! That evening we ate dinner and Kyle and I had to drive home because it was Father's Day the next day and we wanted to be home for John. Let me just say, "thank goodness Kyle can drive"! I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to depend on Kyle!

We all ended up having a great time, but the moral to this story: don't ever rent a "cabin" unseen and ask questions like are there actual rooms, bathroom, running water and maybe lets say, A KITCHEN?

Unfortunately or fortunately, I have to yet to figure out if I'd had enough to drink and if I had maybe the living quarters wouldn't have seemed so bad!!!

My First Spray Tan

I just got home from having my first Airbrush Spray Tan and I must say, "What an experience”!

I'm not out in the sun like I was when I was younger nor do I really want to lay in a tanning bed and wait for a tan to develop or cancer and I'm done with the instant tan in a can (which, by the way, never work no matter how much a company tries to advertise their product really works). No more orange skin or zebra stripes! I came across a coupon for a new tanning salon in my area and jumped on the chance to get an airbrushed tan.

Now, before you get one there are some things you CAN'T do prior to the process: shave, lather up with lotion, have your nails done or wear makeup or jewelry. Luckily, I don't normally lather myself in lotion, wear makeup that often nor had I shaved in the last two days (I'm married so it doesn't matter people!!!).

When I have tanned in the past I go totally "commando" so if I wanted a nice even tan I was going to have to stand in front of a perfect stranger and let her spray my entire body from head to toe. So, I go into the room and here is this small, thin and petite woman who was so nice and made me feel comfortable about what I was about to do! Ladies, if you've had a baby and/or been to the OBGyn then there is really no reason you too can't stand and let a person spray you down for 20 minutes. Those of you who know me can only imagine the thoughts and comments that I could have let loose, but I did keep it toned down, only because this was our first meeting. Oh, there was a mirror in the room which frightened me more than standing buck naked because she told me to look at the difference in color. Hell no! I only looked at my legs and tried not to look at the roll I call my stomach or the 45 year old boobies hanging down. All I kept thinking was she'd probably seen worse.

I got through it and now I'm waiting to see the results when I wake up in the morning because it will take several hours for it to really develop. Let me tell you that if it looks as good as I feel it will, I will be going back! It is kind of freeing, in a weird way and the actual spray is cool and like a fan blowing on you so it was right up my alley!

You're probably wondering why I did this now...well, Kyle and I are going to New Braunfels this weekend and I don't want to blind anyone with my bright, white skin!!! Not only that, everyone there is in their early 20’s and will be running around in a bikini! Great for Kyle and I’ll just feel like the room mother! Not really, I fit right in!

Really, the things we will do for beauty!!! Why does a tan make us feel so much better?

Whatz Up!

...with Kyle
Hallelujah! His concussion has healed and his brain is back to normal (I'm not certain how normal anyone in our family is, but so be it) and actually passed all of his TAKS tests. He was given the ok by his fantastic doctor to return to activities gradually (that is after spending four days in a dark room only sleeping and eating). He will be returning to football because it is the love of his life and he can't stand to not be playing. Something I can relate to since my passion was ballet and I ended it way too early and do have regrets. I don't want to see him regret giving up too soon. It will be scary thinking of all the hitting he'll be doing but their will be lots of praying that this never happens again! His last day of school is tomorrow at 12:30pm after he finishes exams and summer officially begins! Yee! Haw! He is working at the rodeo and enjoys making money (Thank God!). I can't believe he'll be a Junior next year!

...with my work
I'm getting to the point that going in to the cafe everyday is a pain in the ass. This is due to the blatant ignorance of my boss and lack of caring. I still love my customers and what I do but the aura he produces in the cafe is so negative. All of us are grateful when he's off or works the late shift. We do have a lot of fun times and I'm happy to be there with my friends Christa, Kristen, Benji and James. I get a kick out of watching and listening to Christa and Kristen banter back and forth sometimes squirting whip cream on each other and throwing food. James likes to get down so we do a lot of dancing and hittin' it! Benji just has to be herself and she makes us laugh. Oh and then there's me! If I'm not singing (Opera), dancing, or doing falic things with vegetables, I'm holding our plastic salad bowls over my boobs while singing, "Here I am to save the day" imitating an armored-clad Viking woman! What the $?&%? And then there are my "old men". What is it with me and old men? I've always attracted them and now I have several of them at the cafe who like to hug (must be the boobies), give me kisses (my soft skin?) and just flirt (my great personality and attention I give them and get from them) with me. Now, if I could just figure out how to get them to be my "sugar daddies"! Ha! Ha! Ha! As long as they leave with a smile on their face and I've made their day then that's good enough for me!
The rodeo season begins the first weekend in June, every Friday and Saturday evening. I've been there (Mesquite Championship Rodeo) for about 8 years now and just love it! I started off as an usher and have now been a ticket taker for the past several years on the West doors. Benji and I have a Blast joking around with our customers and meeting people from all over the World. Of coarse there are always those few pain-in-the-butt people who think they own the place but they are few and far between. The rodeo was bought last year from Tom Hicks by a group of people that have really made some great improvements to the place and are getting a much bigger crowd coming in. Plus they have added more events (concerts, private parties, etc.)to the venue besides rodeos so I get to work more throughout the year which means more mooolah! I have a GREAT group of friends there and are fun to hang out with!

...with my personal life
I know I have lots of changes in the upcoming years to my life and as I turn 45 this coming weekend I need to get a move on! I recently made contact with my son that I gave up for adoption in 1983 and am looking forward to a relationship with him and his family when he is ready. I've been discussing having my own restaurant/cafe/eatery with my good friend Anna so we are going to begin working towards that goal this year and in the mean time, I'd really love to be a personal assistant and get off my feet all day. I want to continue my writing in the hopes of a book one day too! I have a lot to do and have surrounded myself with supportive friends and family!

The Dreaded Phone Call

Monday evening I was standing in the kitchen making spaghetti for Kyle and waiting for him to arrive home from Spring training. It was getting to be a little past 6 and I just happened to walk into my bedroom, where I'd left my phone, and caught a call coming in. It was a call from Jonee (who we refer to as his other mother) and she was driving past my house to come and tell me that Kyle was in the training room with a concussion and John and I needed to get to the school ASAP!

At that very moment all I could think of was getting to him fast! I turned off the stove (thank goodness), threw on my shoes and bra (another thank goodness), gathered up John and called the trainer. She told me that Kyle was brought in by a couple of the coaches around 4:45 after they noticed him standing and staring into space on the line with no response and since that time he couldn't remember answers to simple questions (his birthday, what year it was, who the trainer was, etc.). Not a good sign!

On the drive to school, John said he now hated football and became angry, which isn't new since he seems to be angry at the world most of the time. All I could think of was that Kyle needed both of us and I needed him too, not his anger!

Why are women so much stronger than our counterparts? Men really can't handle circumstances that are out of their control! (Ok, maybe not all, but my man should have just stayed home).

So, we get to school and I practically run to the training room (John is taking his sweet time as usual) and find Kyle sitting with an ice bag on his neck and almost incoherent. Luckily, Jonee had gone back to be with him until we arrived and she stayed (she's an ER nurse at Baylor - Dallas). I decided to take him directly to Baylor for a CAT scan and with Jonee's help she'd get us right in and taken good care of. Kyle was getting very frustrated that he couldn't remember things and at this time I found out he'd been hit last week too but didn't tell anyone. He'd been having dizziness that I attributed to all his allergies and had mentioned to Jonee over the weekend that he was having some memory problems. Great! Now we're talking a concussion last week compounded by another hit Monday. Not a good thing.

We walked right into the ER and a room and a doctor saw us immediately. The doc and nurse couldn't believe that the trainer had kept him as long as she did with his symptoms, had no collar on him, ice on his neck and hadn't called me or an ambulance right away. The doc put a collar on him and began his exam (after I had to undress him, yuck! he was really stinky and smelled like a dirty locker room)and then whisked him away to the CAT scan. Luckily, when Kyle returned to the room he seemed to be feeling and looking better, plus he started remembering things and laughing!

After about an hour the results were back that his head was ok and we could go. Kyle can't play football or do any strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks but when we got in the car to leave he announced he would be quitting football. What? He said his brain is more important to him and his academics than hoping for a scholarship in football. He has more opportunities for academic scholarships since he's in the top 10% of his class. Well, looks like his brain is functioning fine and his father is happy about his decision.

His decision to quit football became even more clear upon his return to school the next day (yes, he went back Tuesday because of the TAKS testing) and got to football and the head coach didn't even say anything to him. Only the two coaches that took him off the field who have been there and know him best asked him how he was. He really got his feelings hurt and felt insignificant! Now, he just has to make it until the end of school and then tell the coach he's quitting. He is going to move to baseball. Sure, now he can get hit in the head with a smaller, faster, and harder ball! Ugh!

This incident has been a huge wake-up call to me and for anyone with children in sports that we really need to pay closer attention to how things are handled by the trainers and injuries. Kyle could have been seriously injured and he was left to sit in the training room for way too long with memory loss, etc. Kyle is lucky but will probably have some slight symptoms for a while. Get involved!

Thank you Jonee for all the attention and help you gave Kyle and me! I love you!

Funny Stuff That Happens In My House

Saturday, April 10, 2010

The last few weeks have been filled with some fun moments in my world so I'd like to share a couple of them so I don't forget plus one of these days my son will read this and appreciate the fact I kept up on our activities. Of course, some of what I'm about to write about would not thrill him, but in my defense, it must be done!

I now laugh with the evil Cruella laugh!!! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Last Tuesday I didn't get home from work until 9:30 pm because I was working the "Taste-n-Trade" of Mesquite and Panera had a booth set up that I was in charge of working so we didn't wrap up until late. Since I'd been at work earlier that morning, I was tired and just wanted to take a shower. Upon walking into my bathroom, I discovered a countertop and sink full of cut hair. I figured Kyle had trimmed his hair and didn't clean up so I interrupted his video playing to ask him why and what he'd done in my bathroom. He motioned to his neck as if to say he'd trimmed his whiskers under his chin. OK, as a mother of a 16 year old, he doesn't have a long beard, if much beard at all, so where did all the hair come from. He was annoyed that I had the audacity to ask that he clean up his mess if he wishes to use my bathroom as a barber shop. Off to my shower I went and after I finished I took a towel and wiped off my counter and sink but on my way to the washer I stopped once again to talk to Kyle and something drew my eyes to his legs that rested on the coffee table and were as soft as a baby's bottom! What the hell? Where was all his hair (besides in my sink)? He shaved his legs, he really did it and I was a little shocked at first and then decided to save face so he wouldn't feel insecure about it. He had mentioned to me a few days prior that some of the other guys in football shaved theirs and had thought about it, but I didn't think he'd go through with it! Apparently, it will help his speed. Of course I was thinking it was so if he got his legs taped up it wouldn't pull his hair out because it's not like he's at the professional level and he's going to become "grease lightning" due to shaving! On the inside I was cracking up just thinking about how much trouble it was going to be to keep those legs smooth. I know how we women can't stand to have to always be shaving so why would he even WANT to. Oh, thank goodness he doesn't have a girlfriend because if I felt stubble on my boyfriend’s legs I'd think, Eeekk!! Lastly, I did jokingly ask him what else he shaved? Ha! I couldn't resist!

My second funny was last night with John and Kyle. The two of them are constantly playing video games on the new tv and sometimes get irritated if I walk by to go to the kitchen and mess up a "shot" so a couple of times while Kyle was engaged in his game I stopped in front of him and held my arms out and spun around saying, "Black Hawk Down, Black Hawk Down!". Kyle finally laughed! Minding my own business and coincidentally trimming my whiskers (yes, as we age hair tends to appear out of nowhere and in strange places so don't laugh) with my electric razor John jumps into the doorway of my bathroom (landing a ballet move) and sings, "Puccini Opera!". I'm laughing now as I'm visualizing him because at the very moment he did that, he scared the "shit" out of me and made me over shave my lip area causing a nice irritation. As I chased after him to the kitchen he landed an arabesque (ballet move) thru the doorway into the kitchen. It was the funniest thing and where on earth did he come up with Puccini? He really surprises me!

I'm so grateful for laughter in my house and that we can all make fun of each other and ourselves! Laughter is Healing!

Food Revolution

By now, everyone should have heard of the "Food Revolution" started by Chef Jaime Oliver and if you haven't check into it!

Congratulations! Jaime Oliver for taking on the school districts and this country’s bad eating habits!

I can now understand, as an adult, just what my mother was trying to do all those years ago when my sisters and I were in school. Yes, she embarrassed us by coming into our school and confronting the administration about how they could allow soda machines to be placed in the schools for KIDS to drink all that sugar at will. But, guess what? She was right! After she made her stance, the machines were filled with only juices, no sodas! So, she didn't make it all the way to the crappy food being served but she did make progress way back then in one area!

Growing up, in my family, health was a huge priority. My mother was and still is athletic, in great shape, and watches what she puts into her body so my sisters and I were introduced to healthy eating habits all our lives. Ok, we didn't eat breakfast but my mother always made dinner every night that included lots of vegetables, grains, chicken, fish and pasta (she would make our lunch for school too, embarrassment again!). Rarely did we eat meat and potatoes with gravy and rolls and to this day I have never eaten a meal of chicken fried steak, smothered in gravy with a side of potatoes (so, why am I overweight? Duh! All the other crap I began to eat after I stopped dancing and living at home!). It was a special occasion if we had fast food and if we ate out, lets say at a Mexican restaurant, she wouldn't let us fill up on chips and salsa! Hey, don't get me wrong, my sisters and I ate plenty of the cafeteria food and liked it, mostly because it was bad for us!

So, you ask, why and how did I lose control? Well, after all those years of not being able to eat what I wanted and not having to sneak it, once I moved out on my own and was working and partying, I just went NUTS! I have drifted back and forth from healthy eating to bad habits but I do know what healthy eating is and have tried to instill that in my son (not so much in my husband...he's a lost cause!). Luckily, I was raised with proper eating habits and a mother who cared about what my sisters and I put in our bodies so the foundation was set!

Now I'm sure you're asking, "Why she is rambling on about this and what is her point?" My point is that Jaime Oliver is correct in conquering the bad habits we have all grown accustomed to in this country with eating fast food that is unhealthy for us and then allowing our school districts to serve it to our children every day of the school year. What really gets in my crawl is that WE, the parents, have allowed it to happen!

I worked as a "cafeteria lady" for over a year in my son’s elementary school and saw first-hand what kind of food is served, how it is cooked and what it looks like when it comes in off the truck. Let me tell you, that food is not healthy and really shouldn't be eaten! All the proteins came in processed and frozen, the vegetables were either canned or in bags as well as the fruit. There was no prep to cooking this food just putting it in the oven or deep fryer!

I was always shocked when I'd start a conversation about how unhealthy the food was and the response from admin and managers was that this is what the kids will eat!

Since when are the KIDS IN CHARGE? And if some of these kids are getting their only meal at school shouldn't THAT MEAL be the healthier one of the day?

It is high time someone stands up and shows the world what all our children should be eating if parents and the school administrations are NOT going to! We entrust our children's lives and well-being with the school system for at least 13-14 years of their development so why shouldn't they be held partially responsible for what goes in their mouths?

Please note, I said partially! I am guilty of allowing my son to eat the crap they serve but I have also given him a somewhat healthy foundation to work from and I prepare healthy meals when at home unlike some of the underprivileged children who may not get the same at home.

We should all ban together to begin to change the system for the better and join in the "Food Revolution" to ensure our children live healthier and longer lives! They are our future!

Secret to Beautiful Feet

A huge "Thank You" to my best friend Anna for telling me how to get my feet to look and feel nice!

How many of you get those pedicures at the local nail salon and they have to get out the "sand blaster" to file your heels? Well, not anymore!

For as long as I can remember I have had THE worst cracked and dry heels of anyone I know. I do the salon deluxe pedicures every two to three weeks and I swear when the lady sees my feet she cringes and then speaks vietnamese to her co-workers. Probably saying, "look at this stupid American girls feet and after all the work I put into it she won't tip me!" Oh, believe me I tip well because I'm so ashamed of my feet and all the work she has to do to file the suckers down! My heels have actually shredded a couple of fitted sheets on my bed, cracked so badly they hurt and lets not even talk about hose. No way in hell would I even attempt to put a pair of those on!

Not only have I done the salon pedicures, but I have doused them in vaseline, different creams and even olive oil after which I'd put socks on and sleep in them to only awake to them the same way as they started!

It just so happens that my girlfriend Anna and I were discussing our feet at a recent track meet where I had worn my flip flops, which are my favorite type of footwear, and she mentioned that she use to have the same problem (I can't imagine they were anywhere close to what mine are) and she began using the Ped Egg and applying Bag Balm followed by socks to her feet nightly.

The Ped Egg? Really? Bag Balm? What the hell is that? We all know what the Ped Egg is and if you don't then you live on another planet! But this Bag Balm stuff is a balm sold on the lotion/cream isle, comes in a green tin can and is most often used on cows teats (or tits)! From one sceptic to another, I'd never think of buying a product that is sold after midnight during the commercial breaks of those "B" movies I'm watching! I guess when you're desperate, you'll try anything so I found myself at Walgreen's the other night buying my Ped Egg and Bag Balm for a total of about $20.

Ok, so I got home and immediately broke into the Ped Egg package and began scrapping away at my heels with no pain or cutting involved. I then slathered on the Bag Balm and put my socks on. Now, I can't sleep in my socks because I get too hot but lucky for me I don't fall asleep until after the bewitching hour so I was able to take them off after a few hours and felt something I'd never felt before...smooth, non cracked heels! I actually put those same socks back on for work today and my feet are still soft! WTF!!!! All these years!!!

I'm so excited! This is what a Real Housewife is all about...Ped Egg's, Bag Balm and sleeping in Socks and getting excited about having smooth feet for once in what feels like a lifetime!

Ladies! If you, too, are tired of those nasty feet jump in your car as fast as you can and buy a Ped Egg and Bag Balm and forget about the shame at the nail salon because those ladies will only smile at you from now on!!!

THANK YOU ANNA!!!!

Time Fly's!

Wow! Tomorrow makes a month since I've made an entry on my "blog"! The last several weeks have been somewhat uneventful as well as drab! The weather has been either cold and rainy or cold and snowy making the moods of people, including myself, very meloncholy. You'd think that would be the perfect setting for writing but in my case I just want to curl up in bed and sleep. I can see why people living in Seatle get so tired of the rain. I also found myself catching some nasty cold that did, quite literally, keep me in bed for about five days. This also meant that I was unable to work out for about 2 1/2 weeks because I was so weak and full of drainage, etc. The weather finally cleared up a few days ago and we saw the sun and beautiful blue skies for only a couple of days and now it is back to rain and gloom!

However, I have returned to my workouts and now find myself sitting here writing again with Aqua Fresh Whitening Trays sitting in my mouth and my wet hair up in a towel because one of my followers (probably my only follower) mentioned that I haven't written in some time. So here I am!

This evening was the reunion episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County which I wouldn't have missed. These five women are really something and when I say something I mean self indulgent, materialistic and in denial. Now, not all of them are these things but a few of them really need to look in a mirror.

Let's start with Vicki: I do believe she has a very strong marriage because she and her husband do have their own lives and don't try to control eachother. My marriage is similar, minus the money, house, limos and vacations (Ha! Ha!) so I understand them but she can certainly dish out the critisms but can't take it! Vicki needs to just be happy with herself and let everyone else live or ruin their own lives.

Tamra: She's a "Hot" mess! She has something nasty to say about everyone including her so-called friends. Carma is a real Bitch! Now she's living in a small apartment with her kids and has a trashy tatoo of her soon to be exhusbands name on her ring finger. That's what we all need to do to keep our marriage intact!

Lynn: She might as well have a big "D" attached to her chest for DENIAL!!! Compared to her kids the Osbourne and Kardashian kids are angels and have respect more respect for their parents. If my son called me a Bitch to my face, cussed in front of me, or disobeyed me like her girls, he'd be in a world of hurt! Also, in this day and age, a woman has no excuse not to know what thier finances are. She calls herself a business woman? This woman needs to stop hitting the weed pipe!

Alexis: Yuck! She is a contradiction walking around in a surgically altered body! I loved when she was asked if God would approve of all the surgical procedures she's had to alter what God gave her and she really didn't have an answer for that. Let's guess, the religious part of her is just for "show"! She and her husband are like slimey snakes that try and squeeze you in!

Gretchen: You know, I really like her! She's young, always happy and playful and seems to mean well even if some of the ladies think she's meddling. She's really been put through the ringer by all the ladies, but she is trying to make something of herself and at the same time enjoying life. Yes, with Slade at the moment, but who knows maybe he's finally found "the one" in her? She was right when she told the ladies that at the moment they need to be happy for her and if it doesn't work out between she and Slade then Ooopps, it doesn't! You Go Girl!

So, there is my take on these so-called "Real Housewives", but lets remember who the REAL HOUSEWIVES are...US! without our fancy houses, maids, nanny's, expensive cars, extravagant vacations and money. We are the women who work hard to put food on the table, clean our own homes, need new carpet because ours is buckling, could use a new water heater because we're tired of taking cold showers, use drug store hair dye, sit for 30 minutes with whitening strips on our teeth and most importantly tend to our children and husbands needs 24/7! When is a show with US coming out? Oh, we're way too boring!

The new season of New York housewives just began so I've moved to NY!!!!

Good Night! Have to go rinse this whitening crap out of my mouth now!!!

Snow Day!

Wow! How long has it been since I've written? Too long!

I haven't been feeling too well lately. I'm having a problem with one of my molers and there is a slight pain in my left, lower jaw that tends to climb up my head. I made a trip to my dentist and he said the xray didn't really show much but it may be abcessing so he adjusted my bite and gave me some vicodin for the pain to see what happens in a few days. If the pain continues then I'll go back but until then it's making me feel a little icky every now and then! The weather hasn't helped any either. It's either raining, cold, then warm, then back to cold and rainy. What the hell! So, my allergies have been messed up and that doesn't help me feel very good. My workouts have been shot to hell the last week or two!

Now, this morning I woke up and the entire place was covered in snow! Huh? Kyle still had to go to school, John was at work and I had 3 deliveries to do today. People are crazy, but I guess I'll get paid to make them happy! My car was in the shop for two days and imagined having a huge bill but our mechanic is so GREAT! I got out of there under $100 and a car running better again and with no noises. When you find an honest mechanic, you keep him and send him everyone's business! Pat & Don Goodnight...the BEST!

It's really beautiful outside now that it's dark with the moon shining off the snow but I'm sad that it's going to go away tomorrow afternoon and we have to deal with ice instead! Luckily, no school tomorrow!

Wish the Metroplex luck in the morning!

Children: Discipline & Boundries

Wow! It's been several days since my last entry and I'm back. I have been extremely busy and exhausted and nothing exciting has really happened!

My day began with a workout with Christa, rodeo orientation, teaching a "Planet Bread" class (Panera new hire orientation) and then the grocery store. I accomplished all but one of these due to my General Manager's lack of memory and responsibility to his new hires. I arrived at Panera to teach my class and to my dismay found that neither materials or he were there. Talk about pissed...I had arranged my day around this class as well as the attendees that showed. All he had to say was, "I forgot!". He didn't give a shit since he was home and in his own little world..."Dumb Ass World"! Wait 'til I send him a bill for 2 hours worth of pay for my INCONVENIENCE!

I received a Facebook message from a friend asking if I'd watched Real Housewives this week? Of course I did and it immediately made me recall the segment with housewife Lynne in total denial of her parental duties. This woman and her husband have no clue (or their just high on something) how to deal with their two children and don't seem to think they need help!

I began to question my parenting skills:

Would I allow my child to call me a Bitch? Hell no! Not to my face. I don't care how old they are, disrespect is not tolerated and there would be consequences. Bye, Bye cell phone, video games and whatever else I could get my hands on (no, not bodily harm!). Yes, I called my mother and father names, but never to their faces. I was too afraid of them!

Should your child be afraid of you? Yes, to an extent! We are not their friends, therefore, they should know that if they step "out of line" or "screw up", consequences are forthcoming. If we, as parents, don't teach them right from wrong who is? The Judicial system? I'm not willing to let it get that far!

Invade their privacy or just TRUST them? Invade! Invade! Come on now, we all know what we did at their age, do you think they're any different? We can only hope but for sanity's sake I check texts, myspace, facebook, drawers and under bed. If you don't you're fooling yourself! It is our responsibility to keep them safe from others and most of all themselves.

Communication and Honesty! My husband, John, and I have always been open with Kyle. This includes, sex, drugs, drinking and anything in between (he probably hears more than he wants and does the "yucky" face, but so far it's working). Parents need to get involved in their children's lives: PTA, Booster Club, Athletics, Social Events, etc. Don't be afraid of embarrassing them, that's what we're here for! I can't tell you how many times I've embarrassed Kyle, but after it's all said and done, I know who he's with, where he is and his friends like to hang out at our house and actually think I'm kind of Cool! They'll appreciate you when their older and have children of their own.

I feel very fortunate to have a son that is respectful, smart and responsible. Yes, he is only 16 and just started driving, but I have no illusions that he is perfect and won't have some wild moments. To be honest, I hope he does (as long as it's all in good fun and legal), it's a right of passage! He does have the fear that I will "hear" about it because I have involved myself in Booster Club, Athletics and am known in the community. Nothing can get past me, just like when I was growing up with my parents involved in my school and the community...I knew better than to get caught! Scary! They had eyes and ears all over the place as do I! There may come a time or two that I miss something and I'll be happy not to know everything, maybe! My parents didn't know everything, or did they and their just waiting to tell me about it when I catch Kyle! See, I'm still scared of them!

In conclusion, we need to be there for our children, talk to them, ask questions, be involved, discipline and set boundries. Kids want this from us! They may not know it yet, but make sure you let them know it soon!

Childhood Memories: Al & Jo

It's really interesting how one little thing can trigger such great memories from way back when. My "way back when" moment came today as I was watching, of all things, Everybody Loves Raymond. The scene was of Raymond visiting his brother Robert at their parents house which is across the street and in walked Marie and Frank. All of a sudden I was taken back to my childhood while living on 6th Street in Rosenberg and being able to visit my grandparents, Al & Jo, who lived only 2 houses down from ours.

Al & Jo were the most loving, nice and warm people to be around. Al was on the quiet side but active and liked to tell stories and Jo, well she was a "hoot" and a character. Like Al, she was very active and just full of life. They were small town and not very sophisticated but what I grew to love about them and miss is the authenticity they had. When my sisters and I were introduced into their lives they opened their arms and accepted us with no hesitation.

My most fond memory of them was when they'd invite us to lunch or dinner. It was always a joke that we'd better eat something before we go because Jo's cooking wasn't really the best. She always made casseroles of some sort and topped them off with crushed potato chips. To my mother, who was a good cook, that was a horrific site and more so to even put in her mouth. As kids, we would go along with her and laugh about it. Secretly, all us girls really liked Jo's food because it was usually full of fatty ingredients that we never got to eat and it was made with love. To this day, whenever I find a bag of chips in my pantry that is almost empty with only the broken chips left, I think of those damn casseroles!

If you're my age, you'll remember when microwave ovens were the new big invention. Well, this was Jo's new oven and she would cook just about everything in it. Can I just tell you that hamburgers should never be cooked in a microwave! Wow! That night was a scream...imagine all of us trying to eat hockey pucks and acting like we enjoyed them (we used lots of condiments).

Jo may not have been good at the savory cooking but she could make some damn good sweets and she always had plenty of them on hand. Cookies, fudge, candy and these balls of deliciousness that were rolled in coconut and the center was some kind of date mixture. If you put a date in front of me I'd most likely gag at the thought of even putting it in my mouth, but I couldn't get enough of those little balls! (LOL! I just had a vision of the "schweatie balls" skit from SNL) My sisters and I loved to go to their house after school just to eat some of her goodies and let them dote on us. Al & Jo had two other grandchildren that were "blood" but they were very ungracious and didn't appreciate thier grandparents for who they were, so my sisters and I really got spoiled by them.

Al and Jo eventually moved to Tyler and we didn't get to see them as often, which was sad. When we did visit we got to enjoy those casseroles and yummy treats along with the chicken salad with huge grapes in it! Oh and Jo used to make this angel food cake with orange liquidy stuff dripping off it that was yummy and only Jo would think of serving spaghetti and baked potatoes together (can you say CARBS)! As the years went on I was fortunate they were able to meet Kyle and John and they too, got to enjoy her loving hospitality. Al died from cancer and after that Jo slowly succumbed to Alzheimer's and was moved into a retirement home. Before she was too far gone Kyle, John and I visited her a couple of times and her face would light up. She died several years ago and I miss both of them dearly. I only hope that both of them knew how much I loved them and will never forget all the great memories I have because of them. My words just don't do them justice to explain what a cute couple they were!

Al and Jo, I love and miss you!

D I V O R C E!!!

Today has been a "weird ass" day, kind of! I guess you could say it all began last night after I received yet another email from my mom regarding some personal financial issue she is having with my dad that has finally come to a head after being divorced from him for at least 2 years now. Prior to my mother's email, I had received an email from two of my sisters stating they didn't want to have anything more to do with my dad because of this matter so I've been conflicted for days over how I should feel and if and when I'd reply to any of them.

Here's a little background: the man I call my dad, Paul, is actually my stepfather of over 28 years. My real father disappeared from our lives when I was still a teenager and has had nothing to do with our family since, not that my sisters and I haven't attempted to make contact. Paul came into our lives very quickly, before my mother and father were even divorced, and assumed the role as our father and provider of us four girls and my mother, so he is my dad.

Back to the emails! I finally decided to respond to my mother in a very loving, yet matter of fact and mature fashion letting her know that my dad has done nothing to me to warrant "writing him off" for an issue that is none of my concern and that she only brought on herself. I wasn't choosing sides but merely staying out of it! Also, mentioning that I don't want to be abondoned by another father...once is more than enough! As I wrote this email to her my eyes began to well up with tears and then the flood gates opened.

Why, at the age of 44, am I crying like a child when I think about my parents being divorced and the feeling of having to choose?

Here's my take on the effects of divorce on not only a child but an adult child. I do believe that parents should never stay married "for the children" because the kids have to bare the consequences. When my real dad and mom divorced I was 11 or 12 and the oldest of 4 girls. My parents were really good at not letting on to any of us that there were any problems so when the announcement came, it was a shock but I believe, fortuneately, for me I wasn't emersed in the drama of their problems. There were tears, my real dad cried in my lap and then he was gone and it seems like life just resumed as usual. I was raised by a mother with very old fashioned views on what children should and shouldn't know and "for appearance sake".

Do I believe my parents should have been more involved in how I felt and communicating more? Yes!

Parents should definitely keep their disagreements to themselves and not get their children involved but on the flip side, when things are going to hell maybe it would be a good idea for the parents, as a couple, to sit the kids down and have an open discussion about what is going to be happening and most importantly the emotions of the kids.

After my real father left we did get to see him every other weekend and each time we'd go with him I was literally sick to my stomach. This wasn't due to not wanting to see him but I felt bad for him and knowing that he knew there was another man in the picture. Our visits were regular for maybe a year or so and then after we got tired of begging him to see us we just didn't care anymore and we'd moved into Paul's house.

Do children need to hear their parents talking negatively about the other? No!

Parents must really think children are dumb because if they didn't they wouldn't take innocent hearts and ears and shatter them. No child wants to hear that their own father isn't paying enough child support, that he can't keep a job, he's just a weak man, their mother is a cheater, and the list can go on depending on the family dynamics. As children, we look up to our parents and hold them on a pedestal so to have to deal with these types of truths can be detrimental in various forms as we go through life.

Does divorce have any effect on grown children? Dah! Yes!

Once again, when my mother and Paul got divorced it came as a huge shock because none of us knew there was any problem. There were a lot of unreal circumstances that led to this divorce and because I was an adult my mother felt she could share all the awful details with me and my sisters. Not really! Again, I looked up to Paul as the man I knew and loved that she had brought into our lives over 28 years ago and I didn't want to know everything. Yes, even though I'm an adult it still hurts me to hear one of my parents "bash" the other. I feel even as an adult there is still that child in me that hates to have her parents divorce and scared of the future (i.e., do I have to choose, will I get abondoned again, will our family ever be the same)!

In the end, I called my sister to ask what her feelings were about the situation and she felt exactly as I do...it is none of our business!

I feel so much better now but earlier today everyone at work was in a crappy mood and I just didn't want to deal with anyone so I came home and curled up in bed, watched an Elvis movie and then felt grateful that I have a very open and honest relationship with my son and husband!

Are you a child of divorce? Let me know how you feel?

Pete's Piano Bar! Whew!!!

Hey, Hey, Hey it's Sunday and since my last entry, Thursday, there is a lot to talk about.

I've been watching a lot of news coverage about the devastation from the earthquake in Haiti and am saddened by the unbelievable destruction and turmoil of the Haitians. It really makes you feel grateful for living in the US and having all the day to day comforts we are privileged to have. The next time our children are complaining about something "material" they can't have, we need to sit them down in front of the news/newspaper and let them learn a little about those people not as fortunate as us! All most of us can do is pray for all of those people and donate what few extra dollars we may have to help the relief fund!

Onto more fun topics!

I worked the concession stand at school for the basketball game and got to meet Katie's dad (Kyle's girlfriend). He seems really cool! Also, got an earful of gossip about some of the kids at school that like to fight, drink and have parties. Oh and there was a dad in the mix that likes to fight too. What the hell and what ever happened to just having good ole fun free of harm and the police. I did! Yes, I was going to clubs, drinking and even dating older guys when I was in high school but never got into any trouble and never knew any of my school-mates who did either. I'm re-thinking my thoughts about why Kyle seems to always be at home when he has a car and the freedom to go and do things. Now, it sounds like a good idea that he wants to be at home and safe from those bad influences although I do trust his decisions if he's ever put in a bad spot! However, I did let him know that I better not hear that he's hanging out with those kids mentioned! Amazing how some parents are just clueless!

I had to work Saturday morning and afterwards did a little shopping for my big night out. I bought a new blouse and a cute "Lilian" shot glass for Christa's birthday present. I really wanted that funky pair of 6" "stripper" shoes but refrained because they were too expensive and thought if I drank too much I just may fall and at this age it's along way down and too much to ask for someone to pick me up! Ha! Ha! I came home prior to getting my hair done and relaxed enough to start snoring on the sofa and John kept waking me up and then he finally went to sleep. Told ya, I put him to sleep with my snoring! Off to the beauty salon...I got my hair cut and then straightened for the evening festivities. Once I got home, put my face and outfit on, I was a glamour-puss and ready for my limo to pick me up! Oh, that's just on the Real Housewives show, my limo was my green Montero that had to have oil put in it before I left. Classy!!! I did valet though and don't feel one bit guilty about pulling up in a mom-mobile! Guess I could've taken the vette but too much of a hassle to get out of the garage and didn't want the valet to take it for a "joy ride"! I met Christa, co-workers and her family at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar in Addison. We ended up with tables right at the stage and what a Blast we had. They have 4 pianists that take turns playing in pairs. You get to sing along, dance and laugh at the hilarious jokes and people that go up on the stage. There is a lot of drinking, not just by the audience but the entertainers too. If you've never gone, you have to find one and go. The bigger your party the more fun you'll have. I was drinking cosmos and somehow ended up with a few shots (tequila, buttery nipple and some other test tube shot) too. Why is tequila like the "shot" to do? It's so nasty and stays with you for a while but obviously I had no trouble shooting it back! I met three gay guys at the table next to me that were loads of fun, so much so that I fed some of my cherries (from my drink) to one of them and danced and sang with him. Oh, John was at home!! You see, I've found that the gay men are harmless but you can still have mucho fun with them! This place is adult only due to profanity, nudity (oh yeh, three women bared there boobs for the duel between UT and Texas Tech, UT won and a couple men took there shirts off) and just insanity, mostly all for free shots! The cutest part of the evening was the 81 year old woman who got up on the stage and did a little dance! I only hope I'm that much fun when I'm 80. So, around 12 I started feeling a little hammered and decided it was time for me to leave before I was too far gone. I did make it home ok even though I must have smelled like a brewery because at one point in the evening one of the girls kept spilling her beer and it felt like someone was peeing on my feet until I realized what was happening. To my sup rise Kyle was still up and when he saw me come in he just laughed because I may have stumbled a couple of times on my way to my room. I did eat the after drinking burger/fries to soak up the alcohol, took a few ibuprofen and then passed out.

When I woke up this morning, at 11:00 I had to put all my clothes away and that huge Onyx ring of mine (some woman said how much she loved my Onyx ring and I just agreed with her belief that it was real...$10 from Sam Moon dumb ass!!!). Ha! Ha! I got dressed and went to the grocery store, mistake, cause all I could do was think about how much I just wanted to sit down! Ugh! We watched the Cowboys lose to Minnesota and then it was nap time! I did fix dinner!!

Do I want to go to work tomorrow? No, but I will and then back to workouts or is that sweat out the alcohol!

Please pray for Haiti and try to do what you can for the relief effort! Remember how lucky we are and pray for that too!

Idiot Drivers & Loss of Control!

My day began early this morning with two breakfast deliveries and then got slow for lunch, only two lunch orders. I had to drive to downtown Dallas twice today and some of the drivers out there are just "Nuts"! If you're not going to go faster than the flow of traffic don't drive in the fast lane (that's the far left lane for anyone that doesn't know that) and if a car is coming up behind you in the fast lane that is going faster than you, get the hell over! I don't drive that fast anymore, but there are times when I'm in a hurry to a delivery so I do! Also, these people that are constantly talking on their cell phones and not paying attention to their surroundings drive me crazy. SPEAKER!!! Then I was on my way back to the cafe after breakfast and saw a junker car pushing another car and thought what a hazard to everyone on the road! I mean they were going at least 55-60 mph and anything could've happened! After my lunch delivery I was behind a car that was literally driving in only half the lane and half the shoulder and seemed to just have no clue! And I wonder why it scares me for Kyle to be driving!

It was Zumba night and boy did I sweat and work it! I'll tell you another reason for exercising is to tighten up the abs and another area we women don't like to admit can have a little problem...leakage! Oh yeah! There is nothing more uncomfortable than getting in class and then the bootie shaking and jumping begin and all of a sudden...Ooops! Yes, it happens to those of us women that have had children, are out of shape and let the abs go and sometimes over-weight. For myself, I try to empty my bladder before class but I drink so much water that once I begin moving around the water seems to make it's way down again! LOL! As I'm dancing around class I'm surveying the room thinking, I bet the cute, slim girl up front isn't having this problem as well as my gorgeous, young friend next to me as they shake and shake! I know the men aren't! They never have to deal with all this "crap" women have too! Hopefully this little problem will go away the more in shape I get but until then I'll wear some pull-ups! Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm putting this subject out there for any of you that have the same problem and think they're the only ones. You're not and don't be embarrassed!

Well, tomorrow is TGIF and I'm looking forward to Christa's birthday party Saturday at Pete's Piano Bar! "Glam" night!!

Healthy, Quick & Easy!

American Idol is going to "suck" when Simon is gone!

I just had to voice my opinion because I just finished watching the show and he really does add some funny moments to the program. Now that that's off my chest I can go forward!

Today at work we were supposed to get a visit from some corporate "big shots" so I went out of my way to put makeup on, do my hair and even wear my name tag (I usually don't wear it just in case I might piss someone off and that it breaks my skin out. Only real gold or sterling silver will do for my skin!) and I'll be damned if they didn't show! I did get to consolidate today and enjoyed the interaction with everyone and they didn't mind that I was a little slow...it has been a while since I've worked that position, but I'll work anywhere!

My body is even more sore today than last night so I skipped my workout today to give my muscles a little rest and will return to do Zumba tomorrow night. Anna better be there!

Along with my working out I am trying to eat more healthy too. I only drink water (maybe a soda once a week, if that), switched my rice/pasta/bread to whole grain, eat more veggies and fruit and have tried, I said tried, to cut out sweets. Another big change I've made is to eat breakfast every morning (oatmeal, eggs or tuna) and eat something every few hours to keep my metabolism going. A lot of people think they must cut out meals and way back in order to lose weight but that's not true. We must eat to fuel our bodies but we must choose the proper foods and portions. I'm not trying to lose a bunch of weight but to get healthier, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and in the process I know some weight will come off. So, below I have given you a healthy, quick and easy recipe to add to your meal plans.


Tomato & Basil Linguine

Linguine (Whole Grain)
1 Lemon
4-6 cloves Garlic (chopped)
Basil (fresh and chopped)
1 Large Tomato (chopped)
Olive Oil to taste
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesan (shaved)

Cook the linguine per directions on the package (al dente is best). While the pasta is cooking chop the tomatoes, garlic and basil. Once the pasta is ready pour into bowl and add all the ingredients except cheese and toss. Plate and top with Parmesan.

Tips:

If you'd like to add a protein you can add shrimp or chicken. Just cook it separate and add with all the other ingredients and toss.

When you drain pasta, don't drain completely. Leave a little water for the flavor!

Enjoy and don't forget to GET MOVING!!!

Workouts Hurt but the Rewards Feel Good!

I missed writing yesterday, but I didn't really have anything exciting to talk about, but I did remember something funny that I did. I was talking with some of my co-workers behind the line at work and we were discussing dancing and one of my assistant managers did a squat down with hip movement and I said, "I can do that alot easier when I have on my stripper shoes!" I then bent over and shook my bootie. Everyone began to laugh and as I rose up and turned to face the dining room there were several men standing there watching. Maybe you had to be there but it was pretty funny especially when you think of my big ass in the air and picture me with stripper shoes on. I guess I should of asked for tips!!! Ha! Ha!

I did go workout, elliptical and then weights. This housewife didn't even cook last night but made the boys eat leftovers. I went to Booster Club and didn't even get any good scoop on the firing of the football coach. No one knew anymore than I did! Dang it!

Today, work was pretty slow so I got to come home early and did some ironing. I bet those OC, NY or Atlanta housewives don't do that! I then went to work the concession stand at school, mainly so I wouldn't get too tired before Zumba class and then off I went to class. It was a tough class tonight!

Why does it have to hurt so much? Oh, maybe if I'd do it on a regular basis I'd build up my stamina and my muscles will get stretched out! That is my goal for this year...to work out consistently and keep it up! Luckily, I've had enough training from trainers to be able to know what I need to do when I workout alone and then the Zumba class is an overall body workout. I've never moved my hips so fast or as much as I do in this hour class. This is also the first time in years that I've belonged to a club and actually used my membership! I just remind myself how good I feel after my workouts if I start to come up with excuses not to go!

We all need to just get moving, no matter if you walk, swim or bike. Just move several times a week for 30-60 minutes at a time and you won't believe the difference it'll make on your body. I get so much more accomplished when I exercises and feel better about myself! I challenge you all to do the same and see what you think!

Spirituality and Football!

Is the weekend already over? I worked all weekend which is probably payback from having too many days off over the Christmas/New Year's holiday!

I had a meeting at work tonight that was 2 hours of boring! What is it about some people that first, don't know how to organize a meeting and second, can't public speak? The only positive about the meeting is they have to pay me "out the ass" to be there and do nothing! Oh, I put in my two cents but sometimes I wish I could just sit there in a stooper like the rest of the employees and say nothing!

Today was still cold outside and I had to run to the store for a couple of things and as I was leaving my husband said, "really, you're wearing that?" That was my pajama pants, flip flops and an over sized sweatshirt and yes, no makeup! I would have been all "dolled up" had I gone to church as expected but my son had other plans! Video games! He has been a Squire (the teen version of Knights of Columbus) for several years and over the past year the group hasn't really done much and the meetings, to him, are boring and he doesn't really get anything out of church at this stage in his life. I gave up on him attending CCD and church but had hoped that by remaining in Squires would keep him "in the loop". Apparently that has come crashing down on me, as of today! Today the Squires were to go to noon mass (I was going to go to mass too, really!!!), have a meeting and then go bowling, but he has decided that he is done with it. So, remember the letter writing I spoke about the other day, he gets to write a resignation letter because his "Mommy" isn't letting him off the hook this time. I'm disappointed but feel that by forcing him to go would just lead to arguments and resentment towards me and growing up, my family would go back and forth over the years to church and I turned out OK. He will find his spiritual way on his own and I believe I've given him a good foundation. To me a person's spirituality is very personal and can be confusing, especially to young people. It took me well into my adulthood to find mine and having a child helped!

Ok, enough with the DEEP THOUGHTS and on to Football! I'm so excited about the Cowboys winning and enjoyed the game mostly because I got to see my "secret crush"...Ed Hockely. For an older man, he's got a great body that I don't mind looking at! It's a joke in my house that whenever a game comes on the first thing I ask is, "Who's the ref?" Today we watched two games but I didn't pay much attention to the first and the second was Green Bay and Arizona. We wanted Arizona to win and they pulled it out in over-time! I can't wait for this weekends Cowboy game in Minnesota. Hopefully, Favre has a bad day!

Well, I'm looking forward to Monday because it's payday and I will get all the gossip on the firing of the head football coach from Kyle's school tomorrow at Booster Club! Can't wait to hear all the juicy details!! Bonjour!

Tipping is Appreciated!

Ugh! I had to get up and go to work today and make sandwiches for 230 box lunches. It only took Christa and I 4 1/2 hours to "get er done" and have it delivered by 11:30. It wouldn't have been so bad if my boss didn't have the heater cranked up throughout the entire cafe. You know it's one thing to have it going in the dining area, but turn it off in the workers area where we are having to deal with ovens, grills and heaters plus running around! You can always put clothes on, but I believe taking them off in a nice cafe wouldn't go over so well!!!

This order I had today consisted of 230 boxes with chips, cookie and sandwich that my assistant (Christa) and I had to do and the total cost was $2300. I even included extra box lunches along with extra cookies and chips for the "just in case" factor! After we delivered and put out all the boxes on tables the customer signed the bill and left a $25 tip. It was a real "bummer" to look at the tip amount and see how little it was (1%) after all the work we'd just done. I do get paid hourly but one of my incentives is receiving tips so when a customer doesn't leave one or leaves less than 10% all the hard work that goes into the preparation and care of the order seems unappreciated. Because I do work for tips, when I go out and eat, have pizza delivered or even at Sonic, I always leave 10-20% to show my gratitude!

Which leads me to the question, "How much tip should be left on the bill?" Are people just uneducated on tipping or just inconsiderate?

So, to better answer these questions and set the public straight, I turned to my best friend when it comes to etiquette, Emily Post's Etiquette; A guide to Modern Manners. Below is Emily's guide to tipping:

Tipping, whether we like it or not, is here to stay. It would, of course, be ideal if everyone who offered a service of any kind were paid so well that he or she did not need to depend on tips, but this, unfortunately, is not the case. Therefore we must remember that many, many people are dependent on a "reward" for good service, in addition to their regular salaries. I do believe firmly, however, that the tip should be merited. Where service is bad and the personnel is deliberately rude, inattentive, or careless, the amount should be reduced. If it is bad enough, no tip should be left at all, and you should bring the situation to the attention of the manager. If everyone continues to tip at the same rate, regardless of the effort made to please, there is no incentive to make any extra effort at all. We are all at the mercy of the "system," but by rewarding good service more generously and withholding a gratuity when the service is bad, we can help to make tipping acceptable.

In Restaurants: It is difficult to give definite rules for tipping, because it depends upon where you go and the service that is given you. That is, if you patronize luxurious restaurants, or if you have special requirements or are difficult to please, greater "compensation" is expected than if you choose simpler restaurants and receive less service. 15% gratuity is standard but higher for extraordinarily good service.

Let's all remember those hard workers whether it be caterers, waiters/waitresses, hairdressers, masseuse/masseurs, etc. that do a service for us that WE DON'T want to do ourselves and take care of them!

Way to go Cowboys...Headed to the Super Bowl!!!

Holy Guacamole!

Is it cold enough for everyone? Damn, even the folks living in Florida are having to wear coats! Getting into my car this morning was a slight challenge due to the doors being frozen shut and even my floor mat on the driver side was crispy, so much so, I had a hard time pressing the gas pedal!

My day was uneventful and a short work day. After work I headed out to the grocery store to stock-up on goodies for the cold, cold weekend. Since my son has grown and seems to just keep growing my grocery bill has increased by $50 plus. I feel like I buy enough food and then in only a few days it's all gone! This is the time I wish I had a girl. You know, most high school aged girls are so consumed with their body image that food is rarely eaten! Ha! Ha! Ha! So, I buy all this food and for the last several days my son has been eating fast food with his buddies before coming home. As soon as I stop buying as much or cooking for him he'll wonder when I'm making his next meal! Huh! That'll teach him to eat out!

I took my sweet Murphy to the dog park today with my friend Christa and her cute dog Zoe and we watched them run around and tried to keep them out of the muddy spots! It was cold and we were all bundled up as were some of the dogs. Two of the dogs had on sweaters and all I could think was what all the other dogs were going to say about them. Yes, I know it sounds cukie, but I like to imagine my dog does have a brain and talks to other dogs. Really, dogs do have a natural coat so why would you want to put a sweater on it and take the risk of it being made fun of by the others? Oh, wait a minute, that was me making fun of them! There was this one dog out there, a grey doberman, that was a huge weenie and would cower down as soon as any of the others would approach. Did I mention, he was one of the two with a sweater on! Murphy just finally left him alone and played with the others. Murphy may not have any "balls" but he's all MALE!

My husband had a dinner meeting and Kyle went to his girlfriends so I got to eat dinner alone so I made a taco salad. Below is my mother's recipe for Holy Guacamole, that I learned when I was a child. I had to do a "show and tell" in my 3rd grade class and I made this recipe and have been doing so ever since. I think it is the best I've ever tasted and hope you will too!


Holy Guacamole!

4-6 Large Avocados
1 Lemon
1 Tomato (chopped)
1 Onion (chopped)
Garlic Salt to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Worcestershire Sauce to taste
Tabasco (if you want to add a little zip)

Take and slice avocados in half and remove the seed and then the meat from the skin with a spoon and put in bowl. Squeeze the lemon into bowl and then mash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients to taste and mix. Now you're ready for chips and deliciousness!

Tips: to choose ripe avocados you must feel each one and they should be firm, not hard or too mushy. If you won't be eating the guacamole right away you can throw a few of the seeds into the mixture, cover and refrigerate. This will help keep it from turning brown, but don't worry, if it should turn a slight brown just stir it and it's fine. Finally, if you want a little heat in it add several drops of the Tabasco. At my last party I served the guacamole in a huge martini glass, set in on a plate and surrounded it with colorful tortilla chips. It was a huge hit and you'll say "Holy Guacamole!" Good Luck and Enjoy!

Good Deeds!

Happy Thursday Everyone or the only few that may be reading this!

I must tell you that today began just like every other day, but ended on a high! Oh, I did have a "glam" moment thanks to the frigid temperature because I was able to wear my long black coat accompanied by my brown, faux fur hat and gloves and big sunglasses. Yes, there were a few moments of looking like Audrey Hepburn until the glasses came off and damn there I was with pony tail hair and no makeup...not exactly Audrey Hepburn, but it was nice to feel like it for a few moments! My hat got some looks and comments from co-workers and I just let them know that I had made it over the Holidays from the fur of that "rogue" squirrel that tried to attack us in the house! That's a story for another day!

My day at work was slightly busy and then ended with a meeting with the managers. I was talking but don't think anyone was listening except the GM, which is all that counts, I guess! Oh well, I did what I was suppose to do and got the hell out!

On my way home I decided to stop by my local Kroger but never made it because out of the left lane of traffic came a car swerving into my lane that hit the concrete barrier, did a 360 hit it again and stopped right in front of me. Why it didn't take out me or any other cars is just Davine Intervention! I immediately stopped and jumped out to run over and see if anyone was injured. There were two young girls inside that seemed ok but the passenger was 5 months pregnant so I got on the phone with 911 and requested an ambulance to check her out. I was not the only one to stop, two other women pulled off to see what they could also do. I got the two girls in my car to warm up and breath and wait on the police. One of the women left and the other finally left after I let her know that all would be ok and I could stay since I just lived right up the road. The pregnant girl was fine but both were reasonably shaken so I waited with them until a wrecker and their ride came. They were both sweet and appreciated my care and help!

Now, I'm not telling this story to "toot my own horn" but to make a short statement of how much we need to help when we can. If those girls had been seriously injured I'm not sure I would have known what to do but to just be able to be there, hold a hand, show compassion and give a warm place to wait is what I would hope someone would do for me or my family member if in that predicament. There car was probably totalled but they were alive and well and no one else was hurt!

Here is my question though: Where were the men? Is chivalry dead?

I know it isn't because I do run across men and young boys everyday that have been taught to be real gentlemen, but I'm always amazed at the number of women who are more willing to help in times of crisis or even just holding a door. Have we women just become so independent and strong that men are feeling stripped of their manhood?

Because I'm a strong and independent woman, I know that if I have to take care of things I can, but it certainly makes me feel more of a woman when my husband and/or son takes the reigns and checks my car fluids, opens a door for me and all those little things that count! Control is nice but it gets tiring sometimes!

Go out there and help when and where you can! It really makes for a happy soul!

Congratulations Alabama and good game Texas!

"Thank You's"

Hump Day is almost over and I just had a moment of clarity! Yes, I had a "blonde moment" and the clarity hit me in the bathroom. I don't understand why these moments as well as great ideas pop-up while in this one place!

I was thinking, "why do they call Wednesday "hump day" when there are 7 days in the week so it should be Thursday?" Then all of a sudden it came to me...it's because most of us work M-F and the middle day is Wednesday! Dah!!!

Well, my day went rather smoothly with putting in about 5 hours and then going to the gym for a 45 minute workout. I arrived home to find my hubby watching Get Smart so to spend some time with him before he had to go to bed I sat and watched with him until I dosed off and before I knew it he'd gone to bed. I was probably snoring as I usually do if I fall asleep on the sofa and it makes him tired! I'm the good form of a sleeping aid!

Dinner was nothing exciting, just some pasta w/veggies and then time for the People's Choice Awards. The show was ok...the jokes sucked and Alec Baldwin lost out to Steve Carrell for Best Actor in a comedy. I just love Alec and if you haven't seen It's Complicated you should. He's hilarious! Finally, watched the news to find out just how cold it's going to get tonight with my son hoping it is so frozen in the morning that he won't have school! Ha! Keep hoping buddy! Apparently it's suppose to get in the low 20's with a wind chill in the teens and not go above 27 tomorrow and Friday! Ok, my window is gonna open because my husband will have the damn heater cranked up so high I may suffocate!

Now, let's talk "Thank You" cards! How many of you actually sit down and write these after you've been given a gift? or have you ever? If there is one thing my mother taught me was etiquette. I've been writing TU's and letters all my life! I believe that due to the influx of technology (i.e. email, texting, twitter and internet) the majority of our manners have flown out the window and everyone just excepts it! The subject of manners and etiquette opens an entire flood gate of areas I could go into but lets just stick with the TU's for now.

Handwritten notes are a fading past-time that I believe we should all begin to really integrate back into our lives as well as our children. It is amazing the impression a simple note can make and it only takes a few moments of our time. I just finished writing all of mine for the gifts, whether it was small or large, I received from friends and family and it took me no more than 15 minutes to write 8 of them. All you need are some nice and inexpensive cards that you can purchase at any discount store and a pen. Start with Dear ??? and then write 3 sentences including what they gave you and what you are doing with it. For example, if you received a gift card let them know what you purchased or plan to purchase with it, same with cash. It's really easy and you'll feel really good about yourself plus the satisfaction of knowing the receiver will know you truly cared about them and the gift!

Now, come on! Get those pens moving across the paper and let's all keep this past-time in the now-time! (that's a little funny!) Texting, twitting, emailing, etc. are not acceptable forms of "Thank You's" in receipt of gifts!

Hope you all had a great day and I'll be back tomorrow!

The end of Tuesday

Whew! I'm back!

Dinner was a hit, fried catfish, boiled shrimp and whole grain rice. My son almost ate all the shrimp before we sat down to eat! My dog, Murphy, enjoyed it too although I don't recommend giving them much. Otherwise, you may be cleaning it up off the carpet later! Yuck!!

After dinner I held true to going to Zumba class. I met my girlfriend, Anna, and we sweated our little (ok, big) asses off! It was a tough class since we haven't been in two weeks! Oh yeh, the soreness will set in over night and when I get up in the morning for my first pee of the day, trying to sit and then get up will be the soreness level test! If you've never tried a Zumba class, you must. It is an overall body workout to great music that includes lots of hip rolls, bootie shaking and latin influence! I may learn spanish while taking the class due to the large following of hispanics the teacher has. It's fun, try it out at your local gym!!!

Well, for my first "blog" I feel it has gone really good and I'm looking forward to tomorrow. My topics this week will include: Thank You card writing, suitable public restrooms in town, a recipe or two and much more!

Bye until tomorrow!

It's a new year and a new ME!

This has been a long-time coming! For years now I have been trying to decide what I'd like to do with myself as far as my career and self gratification are concerned. In my 44 years of life I have had many jobs, many talents and my one big passion besides cooking and eating is writing, so after watching the movie Julie and Julia the other night I realized a "blog" would be my perfect avenue to express this passion.

I have decided that since this is a new year I'd like to share my everyday life experiences with anyone out there that may benefit from them whether they are successes or mistakes I make along the way. This will also be a way of the New Me being exposed by stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a leap of faith that I may make a difference!

So, here is a little insight into who Christine is! First, let me start by letting you know that I am addicted to any and all TV shows that are reality. This includes all of the Real Housewives of ??? programs. The title says "Real" but after you watch the first episode it is clear that these women are far from "Real" but are selfish, greedy, into Social status, and more than anything full of drama! If you notice, they all have lots of money (nothing wrong with that), housekeepers and nannies and live well above the average HOUSEWIFE! What really "sticks in my crawl" about these women is that those of us who are Real Housewives don't live like that and a film crew should come by one of our homes and film our "lovely" life for a day! They'd be in shock and bored, most likely!

There are days when I don't wear any makeup and I certainly don't wear a dress and heels everyday. I'm lucky to get a shower and a workout in! I'm hoping to change the workout part this year and will let you know how that's going!

I'm going to end here today because as one of my motherly and wifely duties, I must go start dinner. Please let me know your feelings on this subject and I'll get back to you later with the rest of my day!

Bye for now!