From the top of the Space Needle!

If anyone was wondering where I've been for the last week, Jason and I took off for four days in Seattle for a family wedding. This photo was taken Sunday from the top of the Space Needle. If I look a little nauseous and like I want to leave it's because I don't like being up high like that. I did my one rotation and then promptly moved to the inside area of the outer deck.

We had a wonderful time, and after I recover from the red-eye flight we took home, I'll be sure to share. Stay tuned...

Keeping him on his toes.

What do you do when you are driving through an obscure plaza parking lot and you see your husband's car parked in front of a restaurant nowhere near his office? First you pull over and look in the car to make sure you aren't dreaming. Then you do what I did. Park. Put on lipstick. Fix your hair. And you go in to see who the heck your husband is having lunch with.

Don't act all shocked. You would do the same thing. Granted, after my initial horror I remembered Jason said he was going to go out to lunch with a fellow co-worker visiting from Texas. And it was one of his favorite restaurants, so I shouldn't have been all that surprised. But still. What was the name of the other person??? Chris??? Was that Christopher or Christine?? So I did what any woman would do. I went in to find out.

I spied them in a quiet, secluded booth in the corner. I walked up to the table and Jason's guest looked at me with a "who is this crazy woman?" face. I smiled and said "Hi, I'm Jason's wife." You should have seen the look on Jason's face. Priceless. It's not like we live in a tiny town, just a very very odd coincidence that I was at the same place at the same time. We had a good laugh, and once Jason recovered he slid over for me to join them. I didn't stay long, but just chatted with them for a few minutes. Turns out the other guy grew up in the same town I did when I was little and went to school with my older brothers and sisters. Small world.

Small world indeed. Better watch your back! Wifey is watching!

Call the New England Journal of Medicine!

I think I have discovered a new disease that afflicts children. Selective Blindness, or SB. SB most often affects those children under the age of ten and most often occurs while walking up a flight of stairs. Somehow the child goes blind and doesn't see all of their things stacked on the stairs waiting to go upstairs. Amazing.

For example, in this picture you can see the following: pink sweater and a blankie; sneakers, slipper socks and a soccer ball notebook; and an origami book, origami projects and more notebooks.
I have made the diagnosis, it's the cure I'm struggling with!

Frugal Friday

After a crazy few weeks around here, I wanted to stop and reflect on what we did this week to cut expenses and reduce waste. What I didn't do was menu plan, which is a big no-no when it comes to frugality 101. But on the flip side I didn't stop in at a store to buy something for dinner at the last minute or order out. So, what did we do this week?

• Stocked the freezer - I used leftovers to make some "quick grab" frozen lunches for Jason. I also made up some cookie dough, scooped it out and froze it so I can make a few quick cookies if the kids have a friend over, or we want a quick treat. Last night I made dinner rolls and simply doubled the batch which allowed me to put a dozen rolls in the freezer for later.
• Fit in some sales - I took advantage of some promotions and sales which allowed me to get some Easter candy for the kids for next to nothing. As long as I peruse a few of the websites once a week, I can keep the deals on my radar and it doesn't take too much time.
• Consolidated insurance - We recently switched car insurance to the same company as our home insurance. Not only was it a better deal, we received an additional discount on our home insurance. All it took was a quick phone call to run the numbers.
• Finally, I got around to putting a small patch on a pair of Noah's jeans. Knowing he will be in shorts 24/7 in two months, it kills me to get him new jeans because of a small hole in the knee. Today he told me that the kids in his class were asking him what the thing was on his pants. These are 10 year olds. What has this world come to if pants get tossed immediately when you get a hole in the knee?? Their parents were probably all traumatized back in the 70's by Sears Toughskins with the big hard square knees!

**** For more frugal ideas, check out Jennifer's Weekly Wrapup on Getting Ahead ****

A St. Patrick's Day Favorite!

This is from last year, but so worth digging up to watch again and again.
Happy St. Patrick's Day from all of us!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

The falling price of milk... an update

In early March I posted about the falling price of milk. I thought $2.19 a gallon for skim was pretty great. Just a quick update to report I just paid $1.98 a gallon. How low will it actually go?

Stay Healthy Saturday

I haven't done one of these posts in a while. Life can take over sometimes, and that's part of the reason I wanted to stop and reflect on what I can do to stay healthy. This week was more of a wake up call. Tuesday morning while I was in the dentist chair, Jason's father was having a heart attack. I found out about an hour later and it seems like the roller coaster hasn't stopped since then.

Grandpa was discharged from the hospital yesterday and is resting at home, but what does this mean? In the last ten months - just 10 short months - our family has had a wake up call to heart disease. My father, my brother, and now Jason's father. A year ago I probably would have blown off any concern about heart disease. That always happens to other people. Now, I'm rethinking things.

For Jason and I diet has been an easy area to work on and in the last few months we are eating oatmeal over regular cereal, adding soy and flax seed to our diet, and reducing our meat. Fitting regular exercise in has been more challenging, but now that the snow is melting, hopefully we'll make time for getting out and moving. Stress management is another big one to work on. We have been reading more, playing games together, trying to find time to wind down and turn the brain on to something else. For a while I didn't think I had stress in my life simply because I don't have a "real" job, but that is far from the truth. Everyone has stress in their lives and it is important to find a way to deal with it to stay healthy.

So what have I done this week to stay healthy? I talked with Jason, my family and friends about my worries and concerns. I turned to friends and asked for help when I needed it. I found time each day to connect with my kids with a kiss, or a cuddle. Finally, I thought long and hard about what I can control and what I can't. If I expect myself to do and handle everything, then I will only feel like a failure when life throws a curveball at you. And the curveballs always come. That's one thing I'm sure of.

Thanks everyone

Thank you for the emails, phone calls and messages for our family. Jason's dad loved the videos of the kids that I had posted earlier today.

March in New England

Wait a minute... wasn't it yesterday we taught Alanya to ride a bike and the kids were playing with no jackets?? Cut to today. 4-5 inches of snow and it's still coming. You gotta love it!

Auntie Kathy's book club

When I was in Florida recently I was looking through my mom's books for something to read. I picked one up and my mom said, "that was Kathy's. I think you'd like that one."

Kathy was Auntie Kathy, my mom's sister. She passed away a few years ago, far too soon, at the age of 60 from breast cancer. Auntie Kathy was a librarian, an aspiring writer and an overall book enthusiast and bibliophile. History, romance, adventure and science fiction, she loved it all. Kathy wasn't a book snob though, and wasn't embarrassed to be entertained by "fluffy" books or escapist fun. In fact, she introduced me to Clive Cussler, king of all adventure fluff.

Shortly after having my first baby, I was complaining to Kathy about how Noah took so long to nurse I felt like I was wasting time. (No bashing on me for not being the perfect mother enjoying our quiet nursing time... Noah seriously nursed for HOURS. One nursing session would often take an hour from start to finish! Of course, he was my first and I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so maybe that was part of it!) Kathy asked why I wasn't reading when I nursed. When I said I didn't have time to poke around at the library, or read book reviews, or find out what was good, she simply said "get a pen." She proceeded to rattle off her list of favorite books and authors. A few I had read, but most I had not. It was like someone had done the hard work for me. I wrote it all down in a little notebook I carried in my purse at the time (I had pregnancy brain then and couldn't remember anything so Jason bought me a little notebook to jot down things like "buy light bulbs" and "bathroom needs a rug".) I still have it. For ten years it has bounced around from car to junk drawer to my desk. I rarely add to it, but every time I go to throw it away I find Kathy's list in the back and I tuck that little notebook away again.

Jump ahead ten years and my pregnancy brain is now more aptly called busy mommy brain and I still find it frustrating to find good books. So there I stood in Florida, holding a book that was Kathy's. Ok, maybe this wasn't the book she actually held in her hands, it could be for all I know, but as I stood there I remembered my little red notebook from a decade earlier. Staring at the cover of the book I felt a strange stirring in my heart, a strange connection to Kathy. To think I could read a book she had read, one she had loved. I started reading the book, and my mom was right, I do love it. I just went digging through my kitchen and found my little red notebook. There are 38 titles and/or authors just waiting for me. A gift to me from her. It's a little book club for one... Auntie Kathy's Book Club.

The last first ride

The weather hit the low 60's today, and we pulled out the two-wheeler for Alanya to try. Her coordination, balance and confidence were finally all aligned and she took off. But in true 21st century fashion, none of our batteries were charged for the camera! Argh! Good thing it is daylight savings because after charging batteries all afternoon we just went out at 6pm to take this official video of the first day she rode her bike. And she's off!

F-Laura-nce Nightingale

On Wednesday night I packed up a suitcase and left for three nights to help out my sister who was having surgery on Thursday morning. It was outpatient surgery, but still a big deal having to get her into Boston early, talk to the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses, and understand the discharge instructions. Once I got her home I had to get her settled, fill her prescriptions, make sure she ate, drank, peed and took her pain medication.

By Friday she was feeling a whole lot better and the demands on me were not so intense. As you can see from this photo, I had an exhausting afternoon reading my book and taking a nap.

I have to admit, I did feel a smidge guilty that Jason was home juggling the kids, work, the contractor and everything else going on. The last few days were a bit of a recharge for me though not having to think about packing lunches, combing hair, or checking homework. The only responsibility I had was to be there in case my sister needed me. A rare treat for a mom with little ones. Too bad my sister had to have surgery for me to have a few days of doing nothing. I don't know any mom who gives themselves permission to do nothing.

My mom tells me a story of a good friend of hers who used to give herself a day off when she had little ones at home. One day of the week was designated as her day and she wouldn't do housework, and would even sit around in her pj's all day if that's what tickled her fancy. She'd read a book, talk with friends on the phone, or watch tv. It was all about her. After the last two days I had, I'm starting to think my mom's friend was on to something good!

Bring it on Mother Nature!

Here is the latest addition to our household, a Briggs and Stratton 7 kilowatt installed generator. Never in a million years did I think I would be in a position to buy one of these things, but after our nearly 6 days without power, flooded basement and mold problem, we are now the proud owners of this baby. It was installed yesterday and Jason was like a little kid with a new toy demonstrating it for me. He shut down the power to the house, and within ten seconds the generator automatically kicks on, and about thirty seconds after that about 75% of our house is powered up.

Our goal was to run the essentials, primarily the two sump pumps, the furnace, the deep freezer and the refrigerator. After that we had requested a few lights in the kitchen and den, as well as a plug to run the microwave if it was possible. When all was said and done, we got lights and outlets in all the bedrooms and some hallways. Only the living room and the back sun room are completely out when the generator is on. But for the most part, our house will be a shining beacon in our neighborhood during the next power outage.

Jason has always been a survivalist at heart which I have never really understood. I still tell people the story about the first winter that he owned a car while living on the East Coast. He asked me where to buy the chains. Huh? You know, tire chains? As an Oregonian he actually used to hear those stories about people going to a doctors appointment and getting stuck in a storm on the way home and dying after being in their car for a week. He was completely serious about the chains, and my response was "Sweetie, you live in Greater Boston, the worst that could happen is you break down about a half a mile away from a Dunkin Donuts." He didn't see the humor in that. If I'd let him he'd have blankets, flares, water and protein bars in his trunk, and in mine. He'll sleep well tonight knowing his Briggs and Stratton is sitting outside, ready to go.

Falling prices??

Earlier this week I posted about how a year ago we paid more than a dollar more a gallon for gas when we drove down to Florida. In the midst of this crazy economic crisis, people losing their jobs, stores closing, prices rising, the relatively low cost of gas is a small thing to be thankful for. The other day I discovered there is someting else too, the price of milk.

My family goes through a lot of milk. A few years ago when my kids were really little I would put 5 to 6 gallons in my cart at a time. Crazy, I know. Now it is more like 3 at a time, but I still am very aware of what I am paying for them. I always buy store brand, as I don't see an reason to pay more for a name brand milk as I can't tell any difference whatsoever. The 'expensive' grocery store near me had a gallon of skim milk for $3.69 not so long ago. The cheapest was at BJs for $2.99, and sometime $2.79. I would go out of my way to stop there for milk if I was driving by. However, a few weeks ago I noticed that the expensive store was selling it for $2.99, and much to my surprise, BJs was selling it for $2.19! A few months ago I read in article about wholesale clubs, BJs in particular, and it said the new CEO believed cutting the price on the basics to draw people in was good practice. Looks like they moved forward with that in addition to a drop in the price of milk overall.

So, the reality is ice cream manufacturers are downsizing their packages due to high costs, but the price of milk has dropped? Go figure. Maybe a better option would be to get a cow to graze in my back yard near the compost bin. The neighbors would love that!

The blogging machine got the best of me

Ok, so I still am an amateur at blogging and don't know how to change the order of posts. To see the Florida pics in order, start HERE. Then go to the posts that continue above it HERE.

Proof in the pics... cont.

Are they standing on a whale out there? Walking on water? This was a huge sand bar that they waded out to, and I remained on the shore as photographer. The water was a little chilly for me and I was afraid of dropping the camera.

No trip to Florida is complete without a visit to see the Boys of Summer! Here we are at the Red Sox spring training opener against the Minnesota Twins. They sure do pack them in at Twins Stadium and I was jammed up against two very large farmers from Minnesota. Minnesotans sure do love their kettle corn.

The Sox lost, but that didn't stop Noah from trying to get a 9th inning rally going much to the delight of the remaining Twins and Sox fans around us!

Proof in the pics... cont.

Jason and I actually did have our belated Valentine's Day celebration with the sunset. We had a picnic and watched the sun go down. And then got silly and took some pictures of ourselves. Jason nearly pulled a muscle taking this one!

Here is a classic Brady Bunch pose on the beach. Remember the episode when they sang on the talent show? The kids did pretty well considering they had no idea what I was talking about!

You must go shell searching while in Florida! Here Jason and Ben match up their findings to the laminated shell "map" Nana has. You mean shells actually have names?

The proof is in the pictures

Just in case anyone needed more proof that the drive, planning and effort were worth it, here's a sampling of what we did on our vacation.

The main attraction, otherwise known as Nana and Pepere. Our big outing where bathing suits were not an option... Sunday brunch. After a few quick reminders on "buffet etiquette" Noah hit the Belgian waffle chef, Alanya was a perfect lady using her manners, and Ben actually stopped darting around and sat still for once to enjoy his breakfast.

Here's the gang coming down the Lazy River! It was a little cool, but we all had a ball at the water park.

The big event here was Ben got up the courage to head up the tower and try the big slides. Once he actually did it, we could barely get him to leave. Noah finally had a buddy to ride the slides with! Alanya preferred the river and the splash area. Next year we'll get her up there.

Jason must have snapped this when I wasn't looking. My little baby is getting so big!

Florida by the numbers

After a wonderful trip to Florida, we had to race up the Eastern seaboard yesterday to try and beat a major snowstorm. We pulled in at 6:30 pm and the snow started a few hours later. We woke up to about a foot of snow and no school. Beach day to snow day in what seems like overnight. I am spending the day doing laundry, picking up and putting things away, but in the meantime... a quick "Florida by the numbers"....

1,601 - The number of miles exactly from our driveway to my parent's driveway.

26:13 - The number of hours it took us to drive straight through from New Hampshire to Florida. Actual driving time was 23:55 hours.

10 - The number of stops we needed to take on the way down. Our quickest pit stop was 6 minutes in Santee, South Carolina. For all five of us to get out of the car and get in to use a bathroom, we really can't knock much time off this. And believe me, we tried!

$230.95 - The total cost of gas for the trip.

$1.87 - The average price we paid for gas. Flagler, Florida had the most expensive at $2.09 and we paid the least, $1.77, just north of Richmond, VA. Last year we paid $3.30 a gallon in Daytona, Florida!

8 - The number of days the kids got to swim!