tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32738000577418152412024-03-05T09:56:02.389-05:00Tricky PeanutSharing the experiences and lessons learned during my adventures in motherhood.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-6947680125834982602012-07-05T13:47:00.000-04:002012-07-05T13:51:05.279-04:00I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us. -Khalil GibranI've been trying for a while to express the near-universal frustration I feel when I encounter or engage in discussions of a political or social nature. This has been especially true lately, now that we're eyeball-deep into the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign. My aggravation seems omnipresent and on the rise these days--it's not pretty.<br />
<br />
Living with a self-described political junkie doesn't help, but neither does the constant stream of opinions, spin, assumptions and propaganda supplied by the 24-7 news/information cycle and the Internet (upon which we seem to be increasingly, inextricably dependent).<br />
<br />
Cut to this morning, when an insignificant ZipMeme-ish graphic posted on facebook (<i>see previous comment on digital dependency</i>) finally crystallized my thoughts and enabled me to leave some of my vexation here on the page, rather than allowing it to further weigh on my heart. So here goes...<br />
<br />
I find the gross oversimplification of complex social/political/economic
issues to be one of the most frustrating aspects of interacting with
other people. <br />
<br />
It is inexplicably unfair and small-minded to
characterize entire segments of the population as "good" or "bad," "right" or
"wrong." Very few issues are black and white--shades of gray almost alwa<span class="text_exposed_show">ys
exist and are rarely buried deep. The intentional unwillingness to recognize "the
gray" involved in the forming of people's </span>beliefs/philosophies/ways of life<span class="text_exposed_show"> is at once infuriating and baffling to me. And in some cases, I have questioned
and altered my relationship with individuals whose scope is disturbingly myopic. <br /> <br /> Rich/Poor,
Female/Male, Gay/Straight, Carnivore/Vegan, Liberal/Conservative,
Christian/Non-Christian, Pragmatist/Utopianist, Mac/PC--whoever and whatever we are, <i><b>we're all guilty</b></i> of prejudices and predilections for or against someone or something.
We assert that we are open-minded, but never seem to recognize that our
tolerance ends when we encounter opinions that differ from our own. I actively include myself in that royal "we"--no one wants to be around when I get preachy about child advocacy, </span><span class="text_exposed_show">recycling, </span><span class="text_exposed_show">proper grammar and punctuation, or making Hollandaise sauce from scratch.<br /> <br />
</span><span class="text_exposed_show">I'm not a Pollyanna, I know that conflict has always and will always exist, and that it can be an important catalyst for human improvement. But b</span><span class="text_exposed_show">y looking for the gray in those with whom we disagree, rather than painting each other with broad
strokes of black and white--of good and bad--life would be a lot less challenging and
certainly less vitriolic. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">A little less hostility in the world seems like a good thing to me.</span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-9796572939172107302012-07-02T11:37:00.000-04:002012-07-02T12:04:07.400-04:00Handwriting is civilization's casual encephalogram. ~Lance Morrow“<i>Kids should be taught how to print, because it’s all they’ll ever need
if they find themselves without a cell phone to text on, or a keyboard
to type with.</i>”<br />
<br />
I'm pretty sure I had a stroke after reading that quote. Any statement that inclu<span class="text_exposed_show">des
the phrase "...because it's all they'll ever need..." makes me
immediately suspicious and fairly certain that the speaker/writer is, at best, shortsighted (though "idiot" seems a more appropriate description).<br /> <br /> It saddens me to think that we're being stripped down to
our most basic (and base) skills by the advancement of technology.
Those abilities that make us uniquely and preciously human are being
deemed irrelevant because they don't have an immediate application in
the world of the keyboard? It seems we're reverting as a species in the
name of progress.<br /> <br /> No worries, I'm not preparing to move to the
Montana wilderness so I can devote all my time to mailing bombs to ITT
Tech students. I just wanted to share my lament. End rant here. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/blog/should-cursive-be-saved-?src=OB_B278_CursiveSaved#fbid=9uuNcT_gxXK&src=OB_B278_CursiveSaved" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Responsibility Project > Should Cursive Be Saved?</a> </span>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-47320340308218240872011-08-04T00:12:00.020-04:002011-08-04T00:40:41.296-04:00Adventures with greens!<div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our beloved Auntie Karen belongs to an organic CSA <span class="st">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Supported_Agriculture">Community-Supported Agriculture</a>) co-op here in Cincy. She's been out of town </span><span class="st">twice this summer </span><span class="st">on the pickup day for her share, and she generously offered the goodies to us, we just had to go pick them up. Free organic veggies <i>and </i></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">a trip to a farm?</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"> BONUS! (Thanks again, K!)</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">Both of our visits to the co-op nette<span style="background-color: white;">d us familiar vegetables like onions, squash, lettuce, peppers and beans--all of which were eaten quickly and enjoyed </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default;">unequivocally</span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><span style="background-color: white;">. What I didn't have any experience with were the greens offered at each visit--leafy broccoli stems the</span> first time and resplendently stalked Swiss chard today. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzijUcFvgmR-ulIu7hbGEDJtlUgMj8xFljNTU0NRHU2LMj6xcNcztqzqm3nc8g9uLMx1AUEKHy3zgyu3NrRLwat3i-b3q3hp8TCk7ZF-v2d5gOnCnc1HM1B_KL4VC054m3pOPE6RFHFY8/s1600/swisschard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzijUcFvgmR-ulIu7hbGEDJtlUgMj8xFljNTU0NRHU2LMj6xcNcztqzqm3nc8g9uLMx1AUEKHy3zgyu3NrRLwat3i-b3q3hp8TCk7ZF-v2d5gOnCnc1HM1B_KL4VC054m3pOPE6RFHFY8/s320/swisschard.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">I won't recount my experience with preparing the broccoli greens, as the final product didn't even make it to the dinner table. The racoons that frequent our compost pile may have enjoyed them, but I did not. The chard, on the other hand, was a resounding success, illustrated by the fact that both Hoops <i>and </i>Campbell cleaned their plates tonight. Evie did an excellent job of gagging on hers, but that had more to do with my "no noodles/no milk" stipulation (</span><span class="st">I know, I'm a tyrant), </span><span class="st">than with her enjoyment of the meal. Three is just a super-fun age!</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="st">Anyway, I had no idea what to do with the chard when I saw it on the share table, but I was bound and determined to get Karen's money's worth and took the allotted 10 stems. When we got home, I pulled out my beloved copy of <i><a href="http://www.thejoykitchen.com/">Joy of Cooking</a></i> and found the only entree that called for chard--</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Creamy Pasta with Chard and Tomatoes</b>. The recipe sounded pretty neutral and Hoops didn't make a face when I mentioned it, so dinner it became. An added bonus was that the girls--who are certifiably Kung-Fu-Panda-crazy--are very pro-noodle these days, so as long as you call the dish "Po Noodles," they're on board. Hooray for well-marketed animated blockbusters! </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, using a couple of farm-stand tomatoes (and two pitiful, meager, warty tomatoes from our garden), a small onion that was also part of today's share, a couple cloves of garlic, some half-and-half (the recipe called for heavy cream, but who keeps that on hand for Wednesday night dinners?), Parmesan cheese, a little seasoning and the chard, I made a pretty super sauce to pour over some freshly prepared pasta. You can get the recipe from the cookbook itself, or you can check out these blogs, <a href="http://gracewoodunited.blogspot.com/2010/02/creamy-pasta-with-chard-and-tomatoes.html">here </a>and <a href="http://thejoyofthejoyofcooking.blogspot.com/2008/12/creamy-pasta-with-chard-and-tomatoes-p.html">here</a>, which share two other cooks' experiences with the recipe. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The only adjustments I made to the mix was the aforementioned half-and-half and a hindsight decision to reduce the amount of cheese a bit. If you're going to use the Parm-in-a-shaker that's conveniently located in your grocery's dairy case (not ideal, but again, it's Wednesday night for Pete's sake!), consider cutting back on the amount you use. The recipe called for 3/4 cup of cheese, but 1/2-a-cup would have been more than enough for my humble taste buds. If you happen to have a wheel of</span><span style="font-size: small;"> Parmigiano-Reggiano aging in your cheese cellar, however, go ahead and grate with gusto!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQBqBlSW4VoQg9xbOIojy1V6dT8LDge5bHHaUIr4_vZ0RBY1YRncvKzNtf9lIUwup6RdIjkbiQICasm1ws7wr2qbHXnDyLhCbGbjlhhurupVhL0FW25jLiff0nJpBohW0yqXF00s4nro/s1600/260px-Parmigiano_reggiano_piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQBqBlSW4VoQg9xbOIojy1V6dT8LDge5bHHaUIr4_vZ0RBY1YRncvKzNtf9lIUwup6RdIjkbiQICasm1ws7wr2qbHXnDyLhCbGbjlhhurupVhL0FW25jLiff0nJpBohW0yqXF00s4nro/s200/260px-Parmigiano_reggiano_piece.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parmigiano-Reggiano = Gourmet Goodness!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-J-5CsTuwTxgU7MIQL27gFr-ZnqkqrOz464Pa1nrs9jUSPLNtlRma0yVyOy9eKjX6TOnxQnG12eRkYjEgbopZS8BGJRU095zO9t1SFORqHPXIBH4bSRTJsn-ng-jvXP61m1eTzWqEwn4/s1600/170px-Kraftparmesan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-J-5CsTuwTxgU7MIQL27gFr-ZnqkqrOz464Pa1nrs9jUSPLNtlRma0yVyOy9eKjX6TOnxQnG12eRkYjEgbopZS8BGJRU095zO9t1SFORqHPXIBH4bSRTJsn-ng-jvXP61m1eTzWqEwn4/s1600/170px-Kraftparmesan.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kraft Parmesan Cheese = No Fillers!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a great recipe to ease my way into the world of greens. It's uncomplicated, it didn't call for any gourmet-level ingredients/ingredient preparations, it didn't take forever to cook, and it was pretty-darned yummy. It was so tasty, in fact, that Hoops said we should have it again--and coming from my beloved corndog-aficionado, that's a ringing endorsement. I don't think it will replace my favorite go-to pasta, Mario Batali's achingly simple and equally delicious <a href="http://www.mariobatali.com/recipes_carbonara.cfm">Spaghetti alla Carbonara</a>, but it will certainly get me to walk around to the entire produce gondola at the grocery store from here on out. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Just so long as I don't have to eat broccoli greens again... .</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzijUcFvgmR-ulIu7hbGEDJtlUgMj8xFljNTU0NRHU2LMj6xcNcztqzqm3nc8g9uLMx1AUEKHy3zgyu3NrRLwat3i-b3q3hp8TCk7ZF-v2d5gOnCnc1HM1B_KL4VC054m3pOPE6RFHFY8/s1600/swisschard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-42090211886861934882010-06-20T15:40:00.006-04:002010-06-20T15:50:04.273-04:00Friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions. -Samuel Johnson<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Holy cow! How have four months gone by since my last post?!?!? Whatever the cause (<i>*cough-cough* <b>Evie and Camie</b> *cough-cough*</i>), please accept my most-sincere apologies and know that I haven't abandoned Tricky Peanut! </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think I've started to get a handle on this mother-of-two-toddlers deal (though it's been a rough transition to say the least) and hope to have more time to devote to writing, if for no other reason than I get to express myself as an adult here, rather than every sentence including words like "boo-boo" "wa-wa" and "deeeese" (which, for those of you who aren't fluent in Evie&Camie-ese, means "please").</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I hope all has been well with you and yours during the past four months and that this special day when we celebrate our fathers/dads/papas/padres/peres/pops/etc, proves to be a source of countless good memories for you and your families. Yay for daddies! :-)</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLig2PuD3ark4xPA5t0e6R3i4hCwxh5QGJ67bR1MtZEoP1X5jhAxF5jjNlbQp19a4_0Ky3xXvrKO9jYutnrMEuH95phd3TPcb3aG1Ns3T4VJZFLWZP9D3o7g1Jd7Hb25wixVFzg73jHI/s1600/DSCN1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLig2PuD3ark4xPA5t0e6R3i4hCwxh5QGJ67bR1MtZEoP1X5jhAxF5jjNlbQp19a4_0Ky3xXvrKO9jYutnrMEuH95phd3TPcb3aG1Ns3T4VJZFLWZP9D3o7g1Jd7Hb25wixVFzg73jHI/s320/DSCN1459.JPG" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-29534245990636087922010-02-19T17:06:00.002-05:002010-02-19T17:07:20.948-05:00Part Two - The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her. -Marcelene Cox<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, since I gave face time to the Target Baby Sale a couple of weeks ago, I figured I'd give some equal time to the <b><a href="http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X3.aspx?deptid=62438&pcatid=62438&catid=62483&cattyp=SAL&dep=Baby&pcat=Baby&cat=view+all+sales&refpagename=X2%252Easpx&refdeptid=62438&refcatid=62438&cmAMS_T=X2&cmAMS_C=MKTGA&cmAMS_V=X2SQ&CmCatId=62438">J.C. Penney Baby Sale</a></b>, which runs through February 25th. Looks like lots of good stuff is available, so if you're expecting, or just want to stock up on swag for your bambino, be sure to click on over!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope y'all have a great weekend! ;-)</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnSCq4zxaxr7SmqXVA0xHVN_Jm_VV5X_0OYkQ4NHwxJw_8oaFq49BDSch2lBt9LJZsACtZIrxgfm8H8GqOglPbyxdzIz386wsYkk6962LgpRwJy8XUSMW-5nT1zWluRTzStGxzEtNpiE/s1600-h/DSCN7320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnSCq4zxaxr7SmqXVA0xHVN_Jm_VV5X_0OYkQ4NHwxJw_8oaFq49BDSch2lBt9LJZsACtZIrxgfm8H8GqOglPbyxdzIz386wsYkk6962LgpRwJy8XUSMW-5nT1zWluRTzStGxzEtNpiE/s320/DSCN7320.JPG" /></a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-23805879239476597742010-02-15T20:30:00.006-05:002010-02-15T20:37:00.529-05:00When someone asks you, 'A penny for your thoughts?,' and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny? -George Carlin<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wow! <a href="http://target.com/">Target.com</a> has some fantastic baby/kiddo clearance items available right now and I thought I needed to share. :-) Perfect for those of us who are snowed in!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/Baby-Clearance/b/ref=br_sort_highlow?ie=UTF8&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=2238085011&searchRank=-price&searchPage=1&searchSize=150">Target Baby Clearance</a> </span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Must. Not. Shop-'Til-I-Drop! :-) Stay warm, everyone!</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-23857907512837560072010-02-08T12:50:00.005-05:002010-02-08T13:07:48.468-05:00And here's another item that should've been the lead story on every news program in the nation...<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week, <a href="http://www.thelancet.com/"><i>The Lancet</i></a>, the world's most respected medical journal, retracted Dr. Andrew Wakefield's 1998 article that linked the MMR vaccine to increased rates of Autism. This is the study that has had parents second-guessing the advice of their doctors and the <a href="http://www.aap.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> for the past 12 years and caused an international spike in reported cases of measles--a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and in some cases, death.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I guess from the tone of the previous paragraph, it's not hard to figure out where I stand on this issue (though I am glad </span>the "clean vaccine" movement brought about the removal of <a href="http://www.fda.gov/biologicsbloodvaccines/safetyavailability/vaccinesafety/ucm096228">Thimerosol </a>from most childhood vaccines--just seems like good juju to me)<span style="font-size: small;">. If you'd like some more information on the whole vaccine/Autism debate, iVillage put together a great presentation on the subject, which you can find here:</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://parenting.ivillage.com/slideshow/parenting/the_truth_about_vaccines_and_autism/do_vaccines_cause_autism.html?nlcid=pb%7C02-08-2010%7C">The Truth About Vaccines and Autism</a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's all I've got for today. Peace out! </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-14031367860803184392010-02-04T14:39:00.008-05:002010-02-05T09:21:42.762-05:00A little shameless self-promtion never hurts. -Erin Hooper<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, as you may have noticed, my TrickyPeanut posts have been pretty few and far between lately. Part of the reason for my e-silence is that, though my growing daughters are a constant source of blogging material, they're also experts at eating up my available free time--gone are the bi-daily two-hour naps, gone are the days of a quick toy tidy-up after they've gone to bed. Oh well, worse things have happened--yay for busy toddlers! :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The other reason I've been m.i.a. is because the hubbster and I are dipping our toes into the bottomless sea of capitalism with the launch of our own cottage industry, the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Peanutindustries">Tidy Peanut Ulti-Bib</a></b>. It's a product born of necessity, as the girls have taken the art of messy eating to wholly unforeseen levels in recent months. They were our guinea pigs, used to help tune and refine our design until we were comfortable introducing it to the world. Some day we'll repay them for their service--I have glorious visions of saving up all our Tidy Peanut earnings and using that money to buy most of the text books the girls will need for their first semester of college. Used text books, mind you. And they might have to share a copy or two. ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In all seriousness, though, while we aren't putting all our eggs in the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Peanutindustries">Tidy Peanut</a> basket, we are excited to see where this adventure will take us. Pat is constantly suggesting design tweaks to enhance the "performance" of the Ulti-Bib and I'm enjoying the autonomy that comes with "designing" a "fashion" line. Who says you can't pair pink terrycloth with a skull-and-crossbones print?!?!? That's right, I'm a rebel! And if nothing else comes of it, I'll still come out of the bargain with a brand new serging machine to play with, so two points for me! :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">With that being said, I promise that TrickyPeanut is not going to become the Tidy Peanut blog. Though I've added a widget for our Etsy and facebook pages to the homepage's sidebar (after all, a little shameless self-promotion never hurts), that's all the Tidy Peanut propaganda you'll see mentioned here. I mean, I'll undoubtedly need a bib-free escape from the daily high-roller, mover-and-shaker grind that awaits me, right? And what could offer a better retreat than a few minutes of non-bib-related writing/venting here on TrickyPeanut? Sure, a pitcher of margaritas would do the trick, too, but I'm much more likely to sew my finger to a bib (*shudder*) if I go the drunken-stupor route--and then I wouldn't be able to write <i>or</i> sew!!! Cathartic blogging it is!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now that's a tricky, tidy solution if I do say so myself. ;-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhC05_3SRhlqPd7Wce66Rj67NjOkzHHZQUl8oVKW-dRmw0aC11PQxGxokJJut0hDOwvMURz_Mj6KtrRrxKvzCjtG3CAY636Kflua17jHEdgJrCTVE-RVR8qLKvno4reh3BjipeaUBb64/s1600-h/DSCN7016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhC05_3SRhlqPd7Wce66Rj67NjOkzHHZQUl8oVKW-dRmw0aC11PQxGxokJJut0hDOwvMURz_Mj6KtrRrxKvzCjtG3CAY636Kflua17jHEdgJrCTVE-RVR8qLKvno4reh3BjipeaUBb64/s320/DSCN7016.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUR5pcZ1Nt0BdEnZQoL8kiO3uzKEQhm3ZjS4PLvKCbQ8mYxkS9vfoydYfUIekYpsKgftkHbEan33iKxIiPwzNLEOg7cKWIGedYa0Eyb5auVhDq8zyNqdhkSkq20G0Q38BSyYLdbVJ8Y4/s1600-h/DSCN7055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUR5pcZ1Nt0BdEnZQoL8kiO3uzKEQhm3ZjS4PLvKCbQ8mYxkS9vfoydYfUIekYpsKgftkHbEan33iKxIiPwzNLEOg7cKWIGedYa0Eyb5auVhDq8zyNqdhkSkq20G0Q38BSyYLdbVJ8Y4/s320/DSCN7055.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f9vQZ3uYgCOoEVTxq5s0gkvRve97buKbNo964iuZUl6dcQupJIBWQTSMIwn1mz0Mpb3GXd0TsyfnlZBjii4TcP_WfpyiheopTDF1eSCHG7ENqphv19eIIQc5Y4BaeFRGs27noKnZI5Q/s1600-h/DSCN7125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f9vQZ3uYgCOoEVTxq5s0gkvRve97buKbNo964iuZUl6dcQupJIBWQTSMIwn1mz0Mpb3GXd0TsyfnlZBjii4TcP_WfpyiheopTDF1eSCHG7ENqphv19eIIQc5Y4BaeFRGs27noKnZI5Q/s320/DSCN7125.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQIKnPhIw-3fRC5DvRb-6RBEv3-ftvr5yNPo-82cY_YF3aKV0hEH5LH-laqsanH8eB60bGL9hOR67j2hVmEL8wEr8Vm2JV7D3srelgL83Ox9KSPvKYP8msM0YZvP8SI4bhzJ2Pbrs0lA/s1600-h/DSCN7152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQIKnPhIw-3fRC5DvRb-6RBEv3-ftvr5yNPo-82cY_YF3aKV0hEH5LH-laqsanH8eB60bGL9hOR67j2hVmEL8wEr8Vm2JV7D3srelgL83Ox9KSPvKYP8msM0YZvP8SI4bhzJ2Pbrs0lA/s320/DSCN7152.JPG" /></a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The evolution of the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Peanutindustries">Tricky Peanut Ulti-Bib</a>!</span> </div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-49972519606319393362010-01-28T06:48:00.003-05:002010-01-28T08:40:23.938-05:00The quickest way to know a woman is to go shopping with her. -Marcelene Cox<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hey Mamas and Mamas-to-be, I got an email this morning from Target previewing their upcoming baby sale (starts in stores on 1/31/10) and thought I'd share in case they didn't send an email to you! Looks like lots of great baby must-haves are marked down, so hopefully you'll find something that's been on your wish list, or something a Mama you know just can't live without. Happy shopping!</span><br />
<h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/b/ref=tgt_email_RX001276/181-2439918-6264425?ie=UTF8&node=1038590">Baby Sale Sneek Peek</a> </span></h3><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/b/ref=tgt_email_RX001276/181-2439918-6264425?ie=UTF8&node=393200011">DwellStudio Bedding Sale</a> </span></h3><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/b/ref=tgt_email_RX001276/181-2439918-6264425?ie=UTF8&node=2225070011">Baby Sale Deals</a> </span></h3><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.target.com/b/ref=tgt_email_RX001276/181-2439918-6264425?ie=UTF8&node=672126011">Diapers & Wipes Deals</a> </span></h3><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many items are tagged for free shipping with an order of $50 or more, PLUS, you can get an additional $5 off a $50 order when you use the code <b>TCDWMNBF </b>at checkout! :-)</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19RjMIFkiSR0oieeVe-V7o8QMvelG4YKcCAy4VwyA3jjP51N0sriH1Vn8QmrTkVM8HQ72FX9CkcDOLqFpv1O8xEnozsoKQcu5aTuibM03SCgmYXlbxSkWo-lwiZ_G-apF_jEIfl2vx94/s1600-h/DSCN6748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19RjMIFkiSR0oieeVe-V7o8QMvelG4YKcCAy4VwyA3jjP51N0sriH1Vn8QmrTkVM8HQ72FX9CkcDOLqFpv1O8xEnozsoKQcu5aTuibM03SCgmYXlbxSkWo-lwiZ_G-apF_jEIfl2vx94/s320/DSCN6748.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><h3 class="GenericStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </h3>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-82093776325152094302010-01-15T10:11:00.005-05:002010-01-15T10:29:56.132-05:00How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. -Anne Frank<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Haitian earthquake relief--if you can help, please do. And please make sure you're donating to a reputable organization. Sending money to the corrupt Haitian government that has mistreated its citizens for decades and created the deplorable infrastructure that lead to the disintegration of structures across this nation of 10 million souls will do much more harm than good.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.momlogic.com/2010/01/haiti_earthquake_relief.php">Haitian Earthquake Relief Resources - 1</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/13/haiti.earthquake.how.to.help/index.html">Haitian Earthquake Relief Resources - 2</a> </span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582902,00.html">Haitian Earthquake Relief Resources - 3</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="goog_1263567307398"></span><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/13/world/main6090814.shtml">Haitian Earthquake Relief Resources - 4</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/haiti-earthquake-help-victims/story?id=9547030">Haitian Earthquake Relief Resources - 5</a><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-27575384248974179302010-01-12T09:29:00.003-05:002010-01-12T09:33:09.574-05:00Don't throw away your old shoes until you have got new ones. -Dutch Proverb<div style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As I've posted before, <b>Robeez </b>baby shoes are one of our absolute favorite "baby bits," as they are the only shoes I was able to keep on the girls' feet for the first 18 months of their lives. And as I've also posted before, when you're buying two pairs at a time, the costs can add up quickly. So I was very excited to see this morning that <a href="http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/default.htm?Lang=EN-US&PriceCat=2&RefID=">Robeez </a>is knocking off up to 50% on select styles.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are some really cute shoes and boots available, and as always, you get free shipping if you purchase two pairs or more. So take a look and see if there's any must-have footwear on sale that your peanuts must have!</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.robeez.com/Department.aspx?DeptID=350&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US">Robeez - Girls</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.robeez.com/Department.aspx?DeptID=311&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US">Robeez - Boys</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If Robeez's sale prices are still a little steep for you, though, consider <a href="http://www.bobuxusa.com/site/index.html">Bobux</a> or <a href="http://www.target.com/s/180-9250415-0726155?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&keywords=ministar&searchSize=30&ref=sr_bx_1_1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=1038576&searchPage=1&searchRank=target104545">Ministar</a> shoes. The girls have worn all three brands and with the exception of some differences in washability, we've found them all to be great footwear options.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Happy Tuesday and happy shopping, y'all!</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-16Kv4LLELbvva51LY-ufg_kBScTJvn1IrMtShHZpE03ndEjIxYB3MeSU6T7QXnkwdBe2G-yXq7U4Ayjzqzs4hP7FrlZdTg_bkYZa2969w5LjixbEpAwlageimXgC1tf73XJL_N-Vgg/s1600-h/DSCN5859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-16Kv4LLELbvva51LY-ufg_kBScTJvn1IrMtShHZpE03ndEjIxYB3MeSU6T7QXnkwdBe2G-yXq7U4Ayjzqzs4hP7FrlZdTg_bkYZa2969w5LjixbEpAwlageimXgC1tf73XJL_N-Vgg/s320/DSCN5859.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-18211110426374445872010-01-09T15:06:00.005-05:002010-01-09T15:21:46.182-05:00Quick question...<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have in my possession approximately 475 lbs. (give or take 474.5 lbs.) of peppermint candy in various shapes and sizes thanks to the cornucopia that is Christmas. Any ideas for what I can do with it?</span><br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thanks in advance for your minty-fresh help!</span><br />
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</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGQxBvvDmuavWbQs3G6f6EHzy6eG9tY_4TrcH90TBKSk0wGWWG_QhyphenhyphenJ4GrSVxGI4-506aJ1DV49y_fImQ9zHVwRuoRYbQ_OTRyoJxTBkvLH0_uu_dinOgw20OCSe6JrKRQPfOmq7IRzc/s1600-h/DSCN6719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGQxBvvDmuavWbQs3G6f6EHzy6eG9tY_4TrcH90TBKSk0wGWWG_QhyphenhyphenJ4GrSVxGI4-506aJ1DV49y_fImQ9zHVwRuoRYbQ_OTRyoJxTBkvLH0_uu_dinOgw20OCSe6JrKRQPfOmq7IRzc/s320/DSCN6719.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVE663i_j0n791VhbtoZFic400JM3aXcWVETOTxCAUhUaAZwFe70lKPq3JVA29JaOPPr2drua5hzxmWSdrKcUsiRlOqFpeDNi5w89IpsrMY6DAMSOaWfIYiwgiIWXYYbMZ7Ce25qvtM4/s1600-h/DSCN6722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVE663i_j0n791VhbtoZFic400JM3aXcWVETOTxCAUhUaAZwFe70lKPq3JVA29JaOPPr2drua5hzxmWSdrKcUsiRlOqFpeDNi5w89IpsrMY6DAMSOaWfIYiwgiIWXYYbMZ7Ce25qvtM4/s320/DSCN6722.JPG" /></a></span><br />
</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-41346363061438898532010-01-07T14:11:00.027-05:002010-06-20T17:27:53.792-04:00And she's back!<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As my house is still dripping with boughs of holly and Santa-hatted creatures of all shapes and sizes, it seems odd to say that the holidays are over, but since yesterday was Epiphany, I guess I'm going to have to face the fact that Christmas is once again 11-and-a-half months away. And while I'll miss the heightened goodwill and eggnog, a year-long wait might be just what I need right now, as I'm gonna' need a few months to get over a rather unpleasant, eye-opening yuletide revelation.</span></span><br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What was this jarring realization, you ask? Simply put, I am now a Mom, and Christmas (or any other holiday/occasion that requires a lot of preparation and effort) can really be rough on a Mom.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Between my posts here and on facebook, my longing for even a smidge of Christmas Spirit during the holiday </span><span style="font-size: small;">buildup </span><span style="font-size: small;">was well-documented (once again, sorry for the repetition). Happily, I can report that on Christmas Eve, when everything was done and the girls were blissfully covering their beautiful velvet dresses with cookie crumbs, the spirit finally took over and I ended up really enjoying the final week of 2009. But as I reflected on my not-so-merry countdown to December 25th--hoping to figure out how I could prevent the same thing from happening in the future--I, quite unexpectedly, had a full-on<i> "I'm The Mom"</i> revelation.</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, this wasn't my first Christmas as a Mom, but for Yuletide 2008, the girls were perfectly content to lounge on their play mats or sway in their swings while I decorated the tree, baked cookies and wrapped presents. This year, however, the girls were slightly more interactive, happily unrolling countless tubes of wrapping paper, tearing up Christmas cards to their hearts' content and de-decorating the tree every chance they got. And all of that was awesome--really! Some of my happiest memories of this Christmas are the visions of my sugarplums exploring, enjoying and dismantling everything the holiday had to offer. But the energy it took to keep up with my peanuts <i>and </i>prepare a festive celebration that met my grandiose expectations meant that I spent a lot of the season in a less-than-jolly frame of mind.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know I'm not alone in this struggle--looking back on my childhood, I can remember lots of special occasions when my mom ran around like a chicken with her head cut off, trying to ensure that everything was perfect and everyone was happy. She'd finally have a chance to sit down and let out a sigh of relief during the event in question--be it a birthday, holiday or dinner party--only to be up and running shortly thereafter, cleaning up and putting the compulsory party paraphernalia away. <b>If I haven't said it recently, Wizard, thank you for being the best mom ever!</b> :-)</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Judging from the facebook status updates posted the week of December 21st, most of my friends were caught up in the same kind of holiday rigmarole, frantically trying to get one more batch of cookies baked, send out a few more Christmas cards, find the perfect gift for Uncle Mel, get the dog to the vet after it ate Grandma Rose's fruit cake, and so on. But as I've said before, I do not subscribe to the belief that misery loves company--I don't want my friends and family zipping around like decapitated poultry any more than I want myself to be.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So where does all this reflection and introspection get us? Do we pinky swear that we'll give ourselves a break when it comes to life's landmark occasions? That we'll focus more on the meaning of the event than on the menu and decorations? I know that's a gross oversimplification of life's realities--it's the rule rather than the exception that if Mom/Wife/Daughter/Sister doesn't take care of things, a lot of special moments would simply pass by unnoticed. I think for my own sanity and contentment, however, I'll try to take it a little easier at holiday time from now on. Maybe I'll switch to eChristmas cards next year, or cut back on the number of perfect stocking stuffers I want to find. And maybe, instead of waking up early on Sunday mornings to scour the newspaper for sale circulars, I'll wake up early and go to church--after all, personal enrichment is vastly preferable to the depletion of our bank account. :-) All it takes is a little self-awareness and a slight adjustment of expectations...</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of expectations, has anyone been to <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/jewelry-box-for-semiprecious-candies?backto=true">MarthaStewart.com</a> recently? They've posted instructions on how to make your own candy jewels for Valentine's Day!!! They would look just beautiful on a from-scratch, four-tiered, fondant-enrobed Valentine's cake, don't you think? Now all I have to do is find the perfect cake recipe, buy the right pans, learn how to make fondant, watch a few episodes of <i>Ace of Cakes</i>, make the candy jewels and I'll be set!</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">~Sigh~</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ;-)</span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM0f5cImZeGT4C9zyf-_YPaVwzmqInRA121ZrOHnYsKTbZIYOiISFFvfrewvudjLY-jG0bTcOAlUskfo9UesYD1EYs0poQ0-eOheRih9Ikpu2WINcWZfFCbE3jws98lFRHys88wImB7Q/s1600-h/DSCN6773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM0f5cImZeGT4C9zyf-_YPaVwzmqInRA121ZrOHnYsKTbZIYOiISFFvfrewvudjLY-jG0bTcOAlUskfo9UesYD1EYs0poQ0-eOheRih9Ikpu2WINcWZfFCbE3jws98lFRHys88wImB7Q/s320/DSCN6773.JPG" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWA1KGMLmsQvnJHjDYJRVaX_-1ASuF58hIV27MuKdKpiu6XYyJsDAgZCYWJNEQ6qgwbZ7hPbCTYcY6Ni7AIVObAeGyc4R9-C8McUXMUECppTwtwkvMmnXDt2xA81ECud3SxyJM1IoFtY/s1600-h/DSCN6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWA1KGMLmsQvnJHjDYJRVaX_-1ASuF58hIV27MuKdKpiu6XYyJsDAgZCYWJNEQ6qgwbZ7hPbCTYcY6Ni7AIVObAeGyc4R9-C8McUXMUECppTwtwkvMmnXDt2xA81ECud3SxyJM1IoFtY/s320/DSCN6764.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg2cMP2fL4vYuFq7IamQRlxqDNs6mdoSxF6wxsuJxJRH9H_LtXshK4Lqce0mH7Alt1gskDQ_Z70yvtSzLVCr5xxn2vKutq5bMKTgGFC3aMxfoj2uZj3Ev6lpKsf7A9eKbRtGKvLm4LR8/s1600-h/DSCN6767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg2cMP2fL4vYuFq7IamQRlxqDNs6mdoSxF6wxsuJxJRH9H_LtXshK4Lqce0mH7Alt1gskDQ_Z70yvtSzLVCr5xxn2vKutq5bMKTgGFC3aMxfoj2uZj3Ev6lpKsf7A9eKbRtGKvLm4LR8/s320/DSCN6767.JPG" /></a></span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-22334579042557719062009-12-25T15:07:00.003-05:002009-12-25T15:09:52.490-05:00Short, sweet and slightly pine-scented...<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I just wanted to hop on and wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas! I hope you're all having a wonderful day and that your evening is warm and snuggly, and full of relaxed sighs signifying a job well done. :-)</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All my best to you and yours! Now bring on the giddy kiddies and the eggnog!</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-40766020753545710172009-12-21T07:27:00.002-05:002009-12-21T07:33:05.292-05:00In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukka' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukka!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' -Dave Barry<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So this will probably be my last Christmas-shopping-related post for the year, seeing as how you won't even be able to get this item in time to put it under the tree, but it's so flippin' cute, I had to share! <a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Kids.woot.com</a> has the <b>Zing Foam Sweet Home Playhouse</b> for $79.99 plus $5 s/h today, which is half the price it's selling for elsewhere online. Measuring 70” x 50” x 49” (L x W x H), it's big enough for a preschooler to easily get in and out of, but since it's made up of individual foam panels, it breaks down to 35.2" x 45.2" x 5.5" for storage. How cool is that?!?</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So if you're interested, head over and pick one up as a belated Christmas gift, or tuck it away for future gift-giving purposes. Either way, get going 'cause there's less than <b>96 hours</b> left 'til the big day!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Merry, merry, everyone!!!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, and happy Winter Solstice! What could be better than longer days and more sunlight--spring will be here before you know it! :-)<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-45253606863736732982009-12-17T11:59:00.012-05:002009-12-17T14:07:25.690-05:00May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind. -Unknown<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I was obviously <b>WAY </b>off when I posted Sunday that there were 7 days left 'til Hanukkah, since it had already started on the 11th at sundown. Stupid countdown calendar website!!! In a woefully belated attempt to celebrate the Festival of Lights, I thought I'd post links to some of my favorite Hanukkah recipes--I hope you enjoy them, but first you'll have to work on <a href="http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/452580/jewish/Potato-Latkes.htm"> overcoming the fear of frying!</a> </span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/103032/jewish/Traditional-Latkes.htm">Traditional Latkes </a>- Seriously, I could live on potato pancakes! Any of you northeast Ohioans ever had the <a href="http://chicagodelisolon.com/menu1.htm">Beef Latka</a> at the Chicago Deli in Solon? A miracle of deli science, it's built from two latkes, a mountain of corned beef and sour cream. Oh how I miss those heavenly "sandwiches"!!!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/779943/jewish/Cheese-Latkes-III.htm">Cheese Latkes</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/776833/jewish/Easy-Jelly-Doughnuts.htm">Easy Sufganiot (Jelly Doughnuts)</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/785204/jewish/Spiced-Cake-Doughnuts.htm">Spiced Cake Doughnuts</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And in a quick side note to my fellow gentiles, did you know it's tradition to eat foods fried in oil on Hanukkah as a commemoration of the <i>miracle of the container of oil</i>, which followed Judas Maccabeus’ defeat of the Syrians and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem</span><span style="font-size: small;">? A most yummy custom indeed! (Thanks to Wikipedia and www.huliq.com for the </span><span style="font-size: small;">Hanukkah history</span><span style="font-size: small;">)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Happy Hanukkah!</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-27333298571368515412009-12-14T10:41:00.010-05:002009-12-14T10:48:16.289-05:00Have a burgeoning Julia Child or Alton Brown on your hands?<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Kids.Woot.com</a> has a beautiful <b>KidKraft Play Kitchen</b> - replete with dishes, silverware, </span>pot and ladle, oven mitt and pot holder<span style="font-size: small;"> - on sale today for $89.99 + $5 s/h. O.K., so maybe your little Alton won't love the pastel color scheme, but at $95 shipped, you could afford a can or two of masculine-hued spray paint! See, you just have to think creatively sometimes - which is exactly what your peanut will be able to do with this super-cool, super-detailed, super-stocked, super scullery!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Super!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Monday, everyone! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugrPg12f8hBx6CX7Ku9sdfgeeUDUwTUlRp_kvafuO14RmeEVMzUyMYoU1ZhzHEIaAN9bFw62OHkQ7nOs8FapgfyOtmaFY5eiD1Q9RufAhKFsXgmfErNIJ6cKabogscHcWETnoi4AkHI8/s1600-h/DSCN6236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugrPg12f8hBx6CX7Ku9sdfgeeUDUwTUlRp_kvafuO14RmeEVMzUyMYoU1ZhzHEIaAN9bFw62OHkQ7nOs8FapgfyOtmaFY5eiD1Q9RufAhKFsXgmfErNIJ6cKabogscHcWETnoi4AkHI8/s320/DSCN6236.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmjIK9a32srGVeEu_IAs0VGz9yh289poggf1F2a3WjMn5HDU_sWZgPyzBe_iOB7O19xGVdMjQjO0fl11XbZ9ulkx3LXfVqozH92As3s1Axgnxb73vDAHC4a_kPc7z_STv6SajckZx-64/s1600-h/VSCN6239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmjIK9a32srGVeEu_IAs0VGz9yh289poggf1F2a3WjMn5HDU_sWZgPyzBe_iOB7O19xGVdMjQjO0fl11XbZ9ulkx3LXfVqozH92As3s1Axgnxb73vDAHC4a_kPc7z_STv6SajckZx-64/s320/VSCN6239.JPG" /></a> </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">No, this isn't the KidKraft Kitchen, but given how much the girls enjoy playing with their </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Little Tikes galley (thanks again, Meg and Aunt Katie!!!), I can certainly see a</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Pastel Cottage Kitchen</a> in our future!<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-436139700815392792009-12-13T14:23:00.003-05:002009-12-13T14:27:01.041-05:00Anyone know where their Cabbage Patch Kid is? Tickle-Me Elmo? Furby?<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I guess these little guys aren't <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zhuzhu-pets8-2009dec08,0,7448175.story?track=rss">chock-full of toxic metaloids</a> after all. If you know someone who is desperate for their own <a href="http://totallyanything.com/">Mr. Squiggles</a> this Christmas, <a href="http://totallyanything.com/">TotallyAnything.com</a> has them today for $28.50 + $6 s/h. They've had Zhu Zhu Pets up for sale a few times in the past weeks, so if Mr. Squiggles doesn't do it for you, they might have a different critter available later in the week. Or they might not.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh, and don't forget, there's only <b>12</b> days 'til Christmas, <b>7</b> days 'til Hanukkah, <b>13 </b>days 'til Kwanzaa and <b>9</b> days 'til the Winter Solstice! :-)</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-25212329913908183752009-12-11T11:21:00.008-05:002009-12-11T11:48:46.656-05:00Shopping tip: You can get shoes for 85 cents at the bowling alley! -Anonymous<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Had to post this one! Not only is this a super-cute gift idea that little peanuts will love to play with (or snuggle with, depending on their bowling skills), it's a fair trade item, so your purchase will also help artisans in less developed areas of the world. <a href="http://babysteals.com/">Babysteals.com</a> has Bowling Buddies play sets on sale for $23.98 plus s/h, which is 63%-off the regular retail price of $65. I'm sure these will sell out quickly, so if you're interested, click on over and buddy-up!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After all, it's never too soon to begin preparing your kiddos for the fast-paced, glamorous world of the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association)! :-)</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Friday!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONbC03AiBmx292FIzc9O93ZBMBoyXQmdiJ6JX3K42XTqC7HrXRoRLE4PvG0rXkYKmUw2GRSCxvskHhUpVfgSLLG1s-m8m5fyfazphEJHi6mPrYcQ6VeSBQ6UHZj_kJ7MFHtHJUm5kIKU/s1600-h/bowlingdogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONbC03AiBmx292FIzc9O93ZBMBoyXQmdiJ6JX3K42XTqC7HrXRoRLE4PvG0rXkYKmUw2GRSCxvskHhUpVfgSLLG1s-m8m5fyfazphEJHi6mPrYcQ6VeSBQ6UHZj_kJ7MFHtHJUm5kIKU/s320/bowlingdogs.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iafivx1w5D0ekRiytPcbPb4xN_Zf7hyuRZTqheBAAF3AxpzaOQmgUM2F7kt3gGvvT5r6LPJ9IRV4d5R4nCI4TdFUEwlE-mJtJNYOjK-K-NFqo1X2LRnZF0rhZalOOKw-SmNawhze0IQ/s1600-h/bowlingpeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iafivx1w5D0ekRiytPcbPb4xN_Zf7hyuRZTqheBAAF3AxpzaOQmgUM2F7kt3gGvvT5r6LPJ9IRV4d5R4nCI4TdFUEwlE-mJtJNYOjK-K-NFqo1X2LRnZF0rhZalOOKw-SmNawhze0IQ/s320/bowlingpeople.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-47183528096030753672009-12-10T16:22:00.002-05:002009-12-10T16:24:16.885-05:00And it's up!<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I'm happy to report that the Christmas tree is finally on display at the Hooper house and everyone seems pleased. :-) It's not exactly on-par with the tree at Rockefeller Center, but it's also not as pitiful as Charlie Brown's Christmas tree. Somewhere in the middle, our happy little tannenbaum makes my babies' eyes sparkle, and truth be told, that's all I need this Christmas.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Only 15 days to go!</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-77110710766446051752009-12-06T10:47:00.007-05:002009-12-07T12:20:51.459-05:00Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. -Dr. Seuss<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's sad to say, but I'm suffering from a serious case of lack-of-Christmas-Spirit-itis, and it's really bumming me out. In years past, our tree would have been up on Thanksgiving, our stockings would already have been hung by the chimney with care, cookies would be baking in the oven and my disposition would be bordering on elf-like cheeriness. This year, however, I've yet to connect with my inner-Santa's-helper.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were out of town this Thanksgiving, so the Christmas tree wasn't up on the 26th, and 10 days later, it still isn't up. I don't even know where we've got it stashed--the garage maybe?--which isn't an auspicious start for Tannenbaum 2009. I did manage to wrestle the boxes of decorations out of the attic, but haven't figured out how to get the stockings up without the girls trying to use them to clamber up the side of the chimney. And if I had my druthers, I would've started my baking by now--filling the downstairs freezer with all kinds Pat-tempting goodies--but the heating element in the oven decided to fail catastrophically Wednesday night, so there'll be no chocolate crinkles, sugar cookies or snickerdoodles 'til the new part arrives from Texas (thank you ebay!).</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The biggest holiday hurdle to overcome, though, is the severe case of toddler-induced malaise from which I am currently suffering. During the past 20 months, I've heard the phrase, "You've certainly got your hands full!" approximately 73,726 times from various strangers, acquaintances and friends while out and about with The Peanuts. To this frequently encountered greeting, my response has usually been, "It's really not bad. They're great little girls!" And while I stand steadfastly by the "great little girls" part of that statement--really, I couldn't ask for two sweeter, happier, more loving little people to call me "Mama"--my hands seem fuller and fuller every day (incorrect grammar, I know, but it stays).</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have myself to blame--I lulled myself into a false sense of maternal security when the girls were teeny. Once we got past those first few months of midnight feedings and endless spit-up, I really thought I had a handle on being the mom of a duo. They ate the same things, they chewed on the same toys, they slept at the same time, they giggled at the same stories, they pooped at the same time (sorry, but it's true)--our world was a rather reliable realm of sameness and I loved it. Then they started walking.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a milestone I'd been dreading since they first pulled themselves into a standing position, and though they really didn't start cruising until the 15-month mark, their independence of motion jarringly marked the beginning of their independence of spirit. Suddenly, no one wanted to eat--not even the beloved combo of avocados and macaroni and cheese!--the only toy they wanted to play with was the one their sister was holding, naptime became a total crap shoot as to who would sleep and for how long, and diaper changes evolved into a part-wrestling match, part-hazmat power struggle that I now dread almost as much as mealtime.</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I can hear you snickering out there, my dear mommy and daddy friends who have already been down this road, and I'd appreciate it if you'd stop it right now! Don't get me wrong, I knew this was coming--I'd seen all of your kiddos go through the same thing, but in those days, I was just "Fun Aunt Erin" who could leave when the tempers and screams reached levels I couldn't handle. Now, I'm the one who has to figure out why the MagnaDoodle is pissing Evie off and how I can get Camie to eat something more than Kraft cheese singles. And quite frankly, I'm exhausted. I mean <b>EXHAUSTED</b>!!! Worse than those first few weeks home with the girls. At least back then--back in the good old days--I knew it was just a matter of time before we all found our bearings and began moving forward with purposeful stride. Today, the only stride found around these parts involves a rapid succession of breakneck steps, a stumble or two over a variety of strewn objects and an ensuing tumble that may or may not end it tears (theirs or mine).</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know I've just got to adjust to this new phase of our lives together--not expecting a rhyme or reason to their moods, doing my best to roll with the punches (figurative punches, not literal ones, 'cause we don't hit our sister!) and, above all, just trying to keep us all on an even keel. Good gravy, I don't think I could have fit another emotionally themed cliché into that last sentence if I'd tried. :-)</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Maybe the holidays will get me into that new way of thinking. Watching the girls marvel at the Christmas lights, be-bop along to <i>Jingle Bell Rock</i> and delight in tasting the special treats enjoyed only at Christmas time (eggnog and cranberry sauce anyone?) might be just the boost my deflated psyche needs right now. I mean, what's more charming than the sight of your beautiful children on Santa's knee...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31B8s1HrPvZz50CT1AEEnQzvplPfjFU3pbxc07Dg7sr1HJrG6tFE4o-Om5hTm1iMuJajjdQHdVnWcT4UjnZY9LoNzJVg-UAJjq2i8sQFvvgrBLGdImCDO2cXDfZ4a1MnXvcfQ5dlrn9I/s1600-h/Santa090001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31B8s1HrPvZz50CT1AEEnQzvplPfjFU3pbxc07Dg7sr1HJrG6tFE4o-Om5hTm1iMuJajjdQHdVnWcT4UjnZY9LoNzJVg-UAJjq2i8sQFvvgrBLGdImCDO2cXDfZ4a1MnXvcfQ5dlrn9I/s320/Santa090001.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then again, there's always Valentine's Day...</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-36741008150335857142009-12-02T18:52:00.003-05:002009-12-02T18:59:32.596-05:00Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand. And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand. -Elton John<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know this is a late post, but holy frijoles--these might just be the cutest thing I've ever seen!!! <a href="http://mamabargains.com/">Mamabargains.com</a> has a set of Taylor Joelle <i>Balerina</i> and <i>Pretty In Pink</i> tights on sale for $9.75 plus s/h. They could cost $100 and I'd still be tempted to buy them (o.k., probably not, but seriously, <b>THESE ARE SO STINKIN' CUTE!!!</b>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So if you've got a teeny girl in your life--the tights are available in 0-6 and 6-12 month sizes-- get over there now 'cause they're going to sell fast!</span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-37259976579395337572009-11-30T09:53:00.006-05:002009-11-30T11:42:24.052-05:00Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are!<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, I guess I'm jumping right back into my laissez-faire, capitalist-pig ways today, but it's for a good reason--really! <a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Kids.Woot.com</a> is offering <b><a href="http://kids.woot.com/"><i>Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories</i></a></b>, a four-DVD set, for $4.99 plus $5 shipping. If you're not familiar with Ms. Duvall's children's productions--we're not talking <i>The Shining</i> here, folks--you're missing out. Her <i>Faerie Tale Theater</i> series brought hours of entertainment/inspiration to a couple of little Murches back in the oh-so-awesome 80's. I'm not personally familiar with the <i>Bedtime Stories</i> series, but according one major online retailer (where this set sells for $17.99 + s/h):</span><br />
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<div style="color: #444444;">"<i>Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories</i> features all 26 of the original animated adaptations narrated by legendary musicians and Hollywood mega-stars. Celebrities bring beloved characters to life! <i>Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories</i> first aired in 1992 to rave reviews and went on to earn an Emmy Award nomination. Self-professed childhood dreamer and award-winning actress Shelley Duvall produced the series and asked 24 celebrity friends to narrate it. Featuring the voices of Bette Midler, Rick Moranis, Bonnie Raitt, Jean Stapleton, Dudley Moore, John Candy, Christian Slater, Martin Short, James Earl Jones, Billy Crystal, Candice Bergen, Michael J. Fox, Steve Martin, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Grodin, Shelley Duvall, Mary Steenburgen, Rhea Perlman, Shelley Long, Sissy Spacek, Morgan Freeman, Angela Lansbury, Kathy Bates, Ed Begley Jr., and Ringo Starr. Revisit stories from your favorite authors! From <i>There's a Nightmare in My Closet</i> to <i>Elbert's Bad Word</i>, <i>Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories</i> features animated adaptations of tales written by some of the most beloved children's authors of all time, including Virginia Lee Burton, Tomie de Paola, Hardie Gramatky, Mercer Mayer, Marilyn Sadler and Audrey Wood."<br />
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So if you'd like to introduce your kiddos to the gone-too-soon likes of Dudley Moore and John Candy, as well as <span style="font-size: small;">as the amazing talents of James Earl Jones, Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury, Morgan Freeman, Kathy Bates and Ringo Starr (?!?), click on over to <a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Kids.Woot.com</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">And remember, there's only </span><span id="ID_Christmas24"><b>25 </b>more days until</span> Christmas, <span id="ID_Hanukkah12"><b>12 </b>days until</span> Hanukkah, <span id="ID_December-Solstice18"><b>22 </b>days until</span> the December Solstice and <span id="ID_Kwanzaa27"><b>26 </b>days until</span> Kwanzaa!<br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-42729914027997097872009-11-27T13:14:00.010-05:002009-11-27T13:36:02.667-05:00Ah, there it is! The holy grail of Christmas gifts, the Red Ryder 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. -Ralphie Parker (Jean Shepherd)<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Christmas shopping season is officially upon us and though I've been filling the "pages" of this blog with one sale post after another lately, today I'm going to refrain. I figure that if you're on the lookout for can't-miss deals, this is the one day you'll be able to find them without any difficulty <i>or</i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i> </i>any additional guidance.</span><br />
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<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So if you're out and about this Black Friday (<i>anyone else ready to boycott that term for life?</i>), I wish you good luck, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Godspeed</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and successful hunting. And if you're like me, sitting in front of your computer at lunchtime, still cozy in your jammies, I beseech you to avoid overdoing it with the Thanksgiving leftovers (<i>as I did about 15 minutes ago</i>) and make the most of your long weekend. But whether you're shopping or shunning the crowds today, may this be the start of a wonderful, respectful and joyous holiday season for you, your family and friends!</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gobble, gobble!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Fi0sALkhsFv0Q4Ubc9qXpkewX-JmMerfICkORazryJ9LhY5DhEpejT0OSPS2qc_jXgxHbGonR6rJzJbZxqvwwq9faFNCIiknZTyVH0LiU9TWuOGR9HqeOJXGkxcjezktgwLEw8oMnLs/s1600/DSCN6441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Fi0sALkhsFv0Q4Ubc9qXpkewX-JmMerfICkORazryJ9LhY5DhEpejT0OSPS2qc_jXgxHbGonR6rJzJbZxqvwwq9faFNCIiknZTyVH0LiU9TWuOGR9HqeOJXGkxcjezktgwLEw8oMnLs/s320/DSCN6441.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3273800057741815241.post-46654771703904700222009-11-24T07:30:00.004-05:002009-11-24T07:40:37.658-05:00Hey, do us both a favor, don't get mad, huh?<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If there's a kiddo in your life (or an adult-o, for that matter) who needs a constructive way to vent their frustrations, I may have found the ideal forum for doing so... the <b><a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Incredible Hulk Smash Board Game</a></b>! According to the manufacturer's description:</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"<i>It's dashin' smashin' outRAGEous fun! Get ready for a wild race through the streets of New York City! Make your own vehicles, then roll the dice to race them along the path. Stop your opponents by drawing cards that let you smash their vehicle flat! Keep making them, racing them and smashing them until somebody makes it out of the city to win!</i>"</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I feel like I've already won just by reading that,don't you?!? If my parents had known about this game when I was a kid, my brother could have smashed playdough game pieces when he lost, rather than putting on a sore-loser show that rivaled John McEnroe's greatest tantrums (sorry, Dave, but you know it's true).</span><br />
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</div><div style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, if you're interested, <a href="http://kids.woot.com/">Kids.Woot.com</a> has the Incredible Hulk Smash Board Game on sale for only $7.99 plus $5 shipping today--it retails on Amazon for $23.99 plus S&H, so this is a pretty darn good deal. But go now, 'cause once their inventory is gone, so is all the smashing fun.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtBDIrLXDwB03itd1IhXI3ty7vB0CxtsqTNjZy6mvprBkrDiCn0c5p5ofwSGgYdq-wlCo440ZbdKG0NeKZB6JIpnnqmepASVh-vTnp756ZV3KRJMvqNQEJYpoNGlDZmmcuFsXDNKgBmo/s1600/Davy0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtBDIrLXDwB03itd1IhXI3ty7vB0CxtsqTNjZy6mvprBkrDiCn0c5p5ofwSGgYdq-wlCo440ZbdKG0NeKZB6JIpnnqmepASVh-vTnp756ZV3KRJMvqNQEJYpoNGlDZmmcuFsXDNKgBmo/s320/Davy0001.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And if he was standing in front of me right now, he'd be giving me that exact same look. :-)</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Circa 1987-ish?</span></span><br />
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</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06679511513052758504noreply@blogger.com0