tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35733889610578797122024-03-24T03:54:21.767-07:00La Madre Locaa mind long since lostMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-31918990231229737982013-12-19T23:04:00.004-08:002013-12-19T23:04:41.112-08:00They Grow So Fast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I figured I had better post some pictures of my offspring before these kids are so old that these pictures are used to make their senior year photo video..... in no particular order, here are the two best things I've ever done in my life. I don't know how the snow got into the last picture, but the special effects are pretty cool. Enjoy!</div>
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MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-30689351169640757612012-11-20T04:55:00.002-08:002012-11-20T04:55:40.168-08:00Older, Wiser?I'm fast approaching 32. My birthday will be here in 2 weeks and I think I should attempt to set a goal and accomplish it prior to this birthday. The problem is deciding on a goal.<br />
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<li>Lose 10 pounds? Possible, with a little help from the YMCA, so this is on the potential goal list. It is about to be "busy season" at work, so I am going to need to organize myself so that I can have dinner in the crock pot, ready at 7 pm if I stop to get my sweat on. Thank goodness I already planned to make some freezer meals over the holiday weekend!</li>
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<li>Clean out my Facebook friends? Also very possible, since I've come to realize that there are many people I have no connection with outside of having grown up in the same town, or worked together at some previous employer. Within those groups there are several people I still want to be in touch with, but there are just as many that I keep on my friends list because I'm neither proactive enough to delete them or it would make it much more difficult to anonymously rifle through their pictures and posts. </li>
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<li>Start a food blog? I've bandied around this idea for a few months, I just worry I wouldn't have enough content to post, then I realize that I made Zuppa Toscana this weekend and that throngs of people would love the recipe, especially with my particular brand of "voice" (i.e. slurring). I would need an excellent name for it. A Marying of Flavor? </li>
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<li>Get family pictures taken? This is on my Thanksgiving to-do list, I even have a lovely tablecloth that would make a lovely backdrop for Elora's golden hair and Colter's wicked grin.</li>
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So many options. I will keep you posted on what I decide to do. Unless I choose the Facebook cleanup and you are removed from my friends. Hahahaha, I doubt anyone actually comes here unless they know me, but I guess we will see. *Cue ominous music*MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-56746444743236420422012-11-15T17:34:00.001-08:002012-11-15T17:36:17.303-08:00Girls WeekendLast weekend I went on an adventure with my good, good, good, gooder pal Laura G. Have you met my gooder pal Laura?<br />
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My friend LG and myself</div>
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If you haven't I recommend you do so, post-haste. She has been an amazing force of wonderful in my life, which in the last year I've needed a big dose of. She is funny, crafty, a solid shoulder to cry on and the friend that will come over on weeknights (and weekends) to just hang out and.... be. We "be" our best when Coors Light or cocktails are involved.<br />
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Case in point, our Molotov Mule's at dinner</div>
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Laura had a friend who was renting a cabin in Chico for a girls' weekend, and I managed to snag myself an invite. If you have been to this blog before, you may already know how much I love Chico. Seriously, if my IUD falls out and Thad's testes re-fuse together we are naming our miracle baby Chico. There is a good change that Chico might be the location of conception of said miracle baby.<br />
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So Laura and I got in the car on a rather yucky looking Saturday, took some rather treacherous roads to Livingston, and enjoyed a lovely chat on our way south into Paradise Valley. She took all the pictures of the beautiful scenery, so I have none to share, but it was Guh. Or. Juss.<br />
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We did some swimming, we did some (i.e. LOTS) of drinking, we ate some amazing food, and we swam some more. We laughed, I did the jitterbug with Shannon in the Chico Saloon, and we ate brunch at the cutest little depot in Livingston. All in all, a fabulous weekend.<br />
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One year after my reduction and my bubbies still take over group photos</div>
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I already have another Chico weekend booked in 2013, but may have to sneak in one more trip before the new year. I have a hard time leaving each visit. Which is why Laura and I are going to buy property and live there. </div>
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I shall leave you with this final photo, where I look slightly like Mama June and I could have horns. This was at the Pacific Northern Beanery. Cute place, delicious food, and the most awkward yet lovable waiter in Montana. So nice. So attentive. So awkward.</div>
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And Laura, I promise that the next time I meet your friends I won't introduce myself with any phrase that includes "shitting the booze out".<br />
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That is totally a lie. But thanks for still introducing me to new people anyways.<br />
<span id="goog_154158960"></span><span id="goog_154158961"></span><br />MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-19813422608520221582012-11-04T19:58:00.000-08:002012-11-04T19:58:03.440-08:00R&RToday I wrote two blog posts that likely will never see the light of day, but one was incredibly cathartic and reaffirming, the kind of blog I will not delete but will go back and read when I need to hear what it's telling me. The other was about politics, and was not really going anywhere specific, so I just stopped typing and got up and made productive use of my day. Overly-productive, if you ask me.<br />
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The over-productivity might have direct relation to the fact that I am going, all by myself, sans-husband and sans-children, to Chico Hot Springs on Saturday, spending the night, not to return until late morning or early afternoon on Sunday. Twenty four blissful hours of soaking, drinking, playing games, spending time with my giggle-partner, Laura, and just relishing a window of freedom that is as fleeting as it is eminent. <br />
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In observance of No Shave November I have decided to try out the idea of wearing leggings into the pool. This is more to save the other pool-goers than to save my own vanity, and hopefully the idea catches on so no woman has to feel obligated to shave her legs just to go to the pool. I'm hoping this makes the quick trips to the ladies room and the bar window a little more comfortable than bare, hairless legs since it is supposed to be CHILLY this weekend!!!! Can't wait!!!! Four exclamation points!!!!<br />
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I spent most of my weekend in perpetual motion, running to and fro, playing with kids, cooking, spending time with friends and just trying to live in the now, because in the here and now I'm with the right people at the right time in my life. That was part of my life-affirming cathartic blog, looking at what I have now and recognizing that the things that aren't in my life are absent for a reason, and to be comfortable with that instead of second guessing it. I had an a-ha moment, and it was a long time coming.<br />
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So raise your imaginary glass in a Sunday night toast to the pleasures of a weekend over, and the promise of the weekend to come. Or raise a real glass, shit, I won't judge, you deserve it!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-81306722995629970962012-10-16T20:17:00.000-07:002012-10-16T20:17:08.074-07:00If I had a Twitter Part 3Voting for Mitt Romney because of a shared faith is like voting for Mitt Romney only because you are white..... oh wait, is that an unnecessary redundancy?MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-33010680908951665962012-10-16T05:14:00.002-07:002012-10-16T05:14:57.753-07:00Family Fun in Bozo<span id="goog_2040026969"></span><span id="goog_2040026970"></span>Last week I stayed home with Colter while our day care provider was out of town (hope you had a nice vacation, Linda!) and I spent the week puttering around the house, doing the dishes every day, washing load after load of laundry, saw Puss in Boots every single day (it's actually pretty funny) and was a bum. A bum that made two different kinds of mini-muffins (pumpkin chocolate chip and apple cinnamon streusel, both of which were divine),<br />
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I had planned for the Swans to stay overnight in Bozeman to visit the <a href="http://www.cmbozeman.org/">Children's Museum of Bozeman</a>, and then hit the Bozeman Hot Springs the following day, but my brother had to go and schedule his FIRST PROFESSIONAL MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TITLE FIGHT for the following day, so we ended up only making it a day trip on Friday and getting Elora out of school early. We managed to squeeze in a trip to the <a href="http://www.museumoftherockies.org/">Museum of the Rockies</a> while we were there too. All in all it was a super fun trip!<br />
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This is the sweet girl on picture day, mommy curled her hair and let her wear glittery lip gloss.<br />
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Puppet show fun! You'll notice that the pig appears to be sexually assaulting the horse in the last picture. Daddy conducts a rather risque puppet show.<br />
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A ship of fools, and a fool with a camera and a mirror. I wanted to document my adorable outfit for the sake of vain posterity.<br />
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PIANO METAL!<br />
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The weather in Bozeman was just gorgeous for an October day, which was awesome because the Children's Museum has a cool plane outside that kids can play in. Elora informed me that it had crashed there a long time ago. <br />
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Playing in the sandbox.<br />
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Didn't take a ton of pictures at the MOR, but the kids enjoyed their Yellowstone room, and they have a really neat games/toys nook with all dinosaur stuff that they enjoyed.<br />
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We filled our growlers, grabbed some Dairy Queen, and headed home to Billings. Saturday night we met some friends for Brew Pub nachos before the fight.<br />
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We had cool shirts that John's girlfriend made for everyone that came to cheer him on. Not that he needed it. He kicked ass and took names.<br />
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Sunday we went to <a href="http://www.sartoriefarms.com/">Sartorie Farms</a> for their pumpkin patch and corn maze, which was huge and the patch was filled with awesome pumpkins. Here is the lot we managed to pick out.<br />
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The green one is super heavy. Thad picked out the giant pumkin on the left so we could have lots of pumpkin to make our own pie, and I picked the nice round pumpkin. Elora has a slightly smaller pumpkin that is not pictured.<br />
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So that was our weekend of fun, in a nut shell. We plan to make another trip and really stay overnight in the future, the kids loved the Children's Museum, and I need to get my hot springs on once the first snow flies.<br />
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Happy Tuesday!<br />
<span id="goog_2040026967"></span><span id="goog_2040026968"></span><br />MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-67430448082656716092012-10-01T19:12:00.001-07:002012-10-01T19:12:55.139-07:00If I had a Twitter Part 2<div><p>Parental success story: my 6 year old daughter informed me it was October this morning. And warned me that full moons mean werewolves come out. Smart girl.</p>
</div>MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-45244718687796128272012-09-27T05:38:00.001-07:002012-09-27T05:38:26.292-07:00If I had a Twitter Part 1I refuse to use Twitter, but some things I want to type I feel silly putting up as a Facebook status, which is exactly what Twitter seems to be all about. So welcome to my fake Twitter account!<br />
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- I've decided that I am going to put on hair and make up this weekend and make someone take pictures of me like a movie star being photographed in her own home. Damn you, Gwyneth Paltrow, you do this to me!!!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-63846012065289910432012-09-23T05:30:00.000-07:002012-09-23T05:35:35.203-07:00My favorite soup for my favorite season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, it's officially autumn! To celebrate the season changing I have finally decided to blog a recipe I make a lot. It's quite possibly perfect. Everything about this soup sings. I found the recipe back when I was making recipe cards for myself a few years ago, and the recipe card has someone's scribbling with a black Sharpie all over it *ahem, Elora* and I keep it tucked in my pretty little recipe journal. <br />
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There are items in the soups that I don't use for anything BUT this soup, but every item is important, so please don't discount the sherry or the tarragon if they aren't normal pantry items for you. Buy them once, and you will be surprised how many times you make this soup and use those 2 items. Plus, I will note, it's a pretty light recipe (you can find the <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-chicken-with-wild-rice-soup-10000000223497/">printable recipe here</a>, along with nutritional information), using evaporated milk for the creaminess instead of heavy cream. It is also not labor or time intensive, so I can make it on a week night easy. <u><b>And it's even better as leftovers</b></u>.<br />
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*Disclaimer* I won't be giving detailed instructions at every step, just offering photographic evidence that this soup is easy to make. Hopefully the photography and my hilarious commentary will have you clicking the recipe and making this soup very soon (how about tonight?!?!). So pull up the recipe and read along with the steps if you want to know exact quantities and cooking times. Please and thank you. And you're welcome.<br />
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So, let's start with a chicken. You can easily buy a rotisserie chicken at whatever grocery store you frequent and break that down for the chicken in this soup. I just so happened to have a couple frozen whole chicken so I thawed one out and followed <a href="http://hockeymomdetours.blogspot.com/2012/09/crockpot-chicken.html">this recipe</a> a fellow blogger had posted. The key to perfect crock pot chicken is adding no water, and seasoning with enough salt.<br />
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I set my light timer to have the chicken start cooking as soon as I left the house, and it turned off at 5 so when I got home at 6 it was still warm but not so hot I couldn't use my hands to pull it apart. It broke down like a dream, and was so yummy I ate the wings piece by delicious piece.<br />
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First step: get some olive oil going in the bottom of the pot, 1 tablespoon or so. I am using my Christmas present dutch oven that I lurve so much to cook with. My friend Laura just got herself a deal on an enameled dutch oven yesterday. I hope she loves hers as much as I love mine.<br />
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Next up, veggies! Celery, carrots, red onion. Don't they look colorful all together like that!<br />
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Mushrooms and garlic are very necessary.<br />
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So, the kids are in the pool. Let 'em sit for a few, they will sweat out a key ingredient to your next step.<br />
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I forgot to take a picture of the thyme (one could say I didn't give myself enough THYME, BAHAHAHAHAHA, kitchen humor). But this is the tarragon, it has a licorice/anise smell and flavor, but in this soup you won't be wondering who spiked it with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_%26_Plenty">Good & Plenty's</a> with only a half teaspoon.<br />
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This is the sweat from the veggies. This is what you're going for, hidden behind the steam in this picture.<br />
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Flour is joining the party. You'll add the flour, tarragon, and thyme at the same time.<br />
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Cook the coated mixture for a minute or so, get that floury taste out of there.<br />
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This has about 6 cups of water added, along with 4 teaspoons of chicken bouillon/chicken base.<br />
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A quarter cup of sherry, artfully shot from above.<br />
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Bubbly evaporated milk.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2iIAsBxGMS9XbqrMLb3emhUi6ZACEmsAteRgKvTDtlZOHdX6LGpxDGoGQO35cyvPFdGrDli2huPA61vouWeVMLVKYwj7CxFkFz-SFkJ6fxthNL1fnw0JrGczFf7Kdsz-8nqZlERbeik/s1600/2012-09-18+18.47.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2iIAsBxGMS9XbqrMLb3emhUi6ZACEmsAteRgKvTDtlZOHdX6LGpxDGoGQO35cyvPFdGrDli2huPA61vouWeVMLVKYwj7CxFkFz-SFkJ6fxthNL1fnw0JrGczFf7Kdsz-8nqZlERbeik/s320/2012-09-18+18.47.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Let this simmer for a bit whilst you prepare your chicken and your rice.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tk8RdoYL19Q/UFm-VTZS6cI/AAAAAAAAB4w/JpmK9TIS89s/s1600/2012-09-18+18.48.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tk8RdoYL19Q/UFm-VTZS6cI/AAAAAAAAB4w/JpmK9TIS89s/s320/2012-09-18+18.48.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You could make wild rice that takes 50 minutes, or 25 minutes....<br />
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Or 90 seconds. I will go with 90 seconds, thank you very much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLT4H3u1eBgMjVkh1tB1g0LRwv3SswrtHP5O8qrImzWjZxyl_M_yyzsMbbsM9mItOl2i1Z7NQC18mDI-vZpWg0oIqq-tG9DoyqsiZ3xLj8BdOltR2q13IIJM9Ai1_t4a-jV5KomWqTjY/s1600/2012-09-18+19.03.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLT4H3u1eBgMjVkh1tB1g0LRwv3SswrtHP5O8qrImzWjZxyl_M_yyzsMbbsM9mItOl2i1Z7NQC18mDI-vZpWg0oIqq-tG9DoyqsiZ3xLj8BdOltR2q13IIJM9Ai1_t4a-jV5KomWqTjY/s320/2012-09-18+19.03.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This chicken came apart like a pair of dollar store panties. I used the thigh meat and a whole breast, chopped, in the soup, and sent a drumstick in Elora's lunch box the next day.<br />
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Chicken and rice are lurking beneath the surface of this soup. <br />
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Serve this up with some bread for dipping. You will want every last drop of this deliciousness, I assure you.<br />
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I consider any recipe that results in clean plates/bowls a rousing success. This soup is Colter B. Tested, Colter B. Approved.<br />
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So there you go, a wonderful fall soup, easy as pie. Try it out and let me know what you think!<br />
MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-42928786293535763812012-08-21T05:06:00.001-07:002012-08-21T05:06:20.600-07:008/21/12Here we are. August 21st. The day before the first day of school. Kindergarten. And Colter's birthday. Three. I wish I could skip ahead to the weekend, because all of this is too much for a weekday. A Tuesday, to be precise.<br />
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Last night was kindergarten orientation. We took Elora to meet her teacher, a nice lady named Miss Redmond, and we know the little boy sitting next to her via Thad being friends with his mom for a long time. So we keep racking items up in the "plus" column, immediately followed by a little ice cream and a quick trip to the YMCA to Meet the Counselor night. Elora is going to be attending their program after school, and after seeing their facility and getting a run down of the process I am way less nervous than I was even during my drive home from work yesterday.<br />
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Nervous. That's how I am for the first day of school. I am trying very hard not to let on that I am, and I think I've succeeded thus far. Elora expresses nothing but excitement. We have talked about not talking when the teacher talks, raising her hand, saying her first and last name, I think she will be well prepared for the first day. But I will probably spend the day with tears in my eyes. Like I'm typing, right now.<br />
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And Colter B. Wow, three years old. I am conflicted on this age, because it feels like I've spent years telling him "no" and "stop", but also no time at all from when we was the teeny little spud who made all the summer heat while 10 months pregnant worthwhile. He speaks, and says things like "I carry you drnstairs" which means I need to carry him UPSTAIRS. We giggle during the upstairs trip, because I always argue with him that I carry him, and he argues back that he carries me. He is a laugher, too. He was chuckling over something during a car trip and said, "Mommy, I laffin". He is his own commentary. Still working on the potty, he will sit, but may have a touch of daddy's ADD because he doesn't want to sit for long. <br />
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And me, well, I'm looking forward to this week being over. I want to be a few weeks away from today, when our routine has been established and we are falling into it easily. For now, I had better get moving if I plan to go to Walmart before daycare to get this poor kid some treats. Mommy didn't homebake shit. Sorry, bud, but you know your mother.MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-78939142561696996562012-08-13T21:08:00.004-07:002012-08-13T21:08:56.324-07:00Finally, a recap!First let me apologize for waiting to post the last few weekends' worth of events for your enjoyment. I'm living a life, here, get off my back. Haha, I love being snarky with the few readers that come to this wasteland of the mundane.<br />
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There have been many firsts in the last few weeks, and I think 99% of them were fun firsts, like the first time we went to Georgetown Lake (great first), first time taking the kids to the new Heights water park (also a really fun first), first time making a DIY dress from Pinterest (fun, easy, and way cute). I'm failing to think of a first that hasn't been fun since the summer began, but I'm finding it difficult at the moment.<br />
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So Georgetown Lake was... awesome. Amazeballs, if you will. We ate, swam, boated, ate more, drank, sang, boated, slept in a woodshed-cabin that was surprisingly comfortable for a family of 4. Here is a brief picture recap.<br />
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<table style="width: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l1gojF3jR5fR3yIWnNRQwGC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotUKHp1MS9wX31eHi9qJgQ1YU8qLKScX_1inZ5UPRNgA62t2bx_zfcGtYn6-JFKSEyQ4AfbUGW7SZU1K-h5RauJsw6YBhtvBe41rbxB_fu1h-i5iux4VadtOzc6HZdeRA2DiaPrIt-SY/s800/2012-07-28%252009.32.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td></tr>
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It's a thing of beauty, this here lake
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EMoi7kySSyYL_y7VPGwfWWC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgZ-etxtQkiOTccAjq0EdoZpczNXYc7croMQftekko6Z1Fnt23O9QX58nKgEz2QCKm3wDAUejwsGHlK4vqLHqOXpSmj3DpqJ_nB3KlkDLiWzh56R6m0Mo95eg5REZeymF0slLBanUnxY/s800/2012-07-28%252010.17.35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a>
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The deck was enormous and extremely safe. Perfect for Colter "The Tornado" Swan.
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h0Dsy7ylyz5AjH1ct9cV5mC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dzHKtMz484TNdKhwO87-rnP5P9gmQhycwoSXpOKfjedysEiY-PWrBWR3AMTfmZ5j9VUWiw1Z3UsNQJkXTRrLci-TYegY9-nvZma4t9YXwJnGb1bplOpMQP50xtTvAHFmyv5B34K-mXg/s800/2012-07-28%252012.01.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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Our beautiful view from the deck
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Z_UnVeY8ToAPUuY1YZau2C8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR-S5FtEht30Ie-kzK_KR1NK2KHPx9Gzs1EIUqhDLz6ptJHTwUboig1A9SffQ8m83bH_ARhIRFZK28A5gX8iG5eDydkWTmDkM1OaMKab0n4u9bGMw7FAFuIBKeg7CtrjsRQDFyKFLY7I/s800/2012-07-28%252013.12.36.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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The dock below the deck, along with some of our "crew"
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ISmokH8zujHj9rCfViDVsWC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9aaWBmS6LyC8eq-nwyfmaa4nTWlIavsNIZdUiXoRK1MMm-VP_7kVINUdKxiaSL8UbbQIMYQDv-ho8so40nVtF4GSTFgT9kYnuTZcuspMjcmO0DqOybID92ZpcZaRyLHXI-jcp3RHHck/s800/2012-07-28%252015.46.30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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I love this picture of Morgan and I. Love. It. Happy birthday, bestie.
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EgdIx1vL3XxBGZwZgxCF_WC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoCaMBs7kY-xw_c9I1JqIMInL_FYc7lx9y9xMAIGhHqhNW8WgzwlsPgrs4IGUD04gbTL7bUKq5lkbbkqseZCXFYZVmEDlPMUY5eaTKRSXyCyOx2tvNlFQjPFJhuEULQZhA2HvgVtSplM/s800/2012-07-29%252007.26.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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Our little slice of heaven (aka the woodshed-cabin)
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/n2YzKUAyvSFAj222XZJxEGC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_cnpAhOysY_z3Jq5L6xq7fRt1IZwyIljpmO1Dap1Fs4HSoPYCYNWh-LsblzUVxNJ8fBj9wPCxZ8sG5aQu9a2vVBlJzQFEGdhl4i_WgegExXE0HxebtCWd6zsJhcHHRLSi-9IiDEcy4A/s800/2012-07-29%252007.33.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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You can't really tell in this photo, but the steam coming off the water in the morning is gorgeous.
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XU7RiRJMQHYNUovKVZhLo2C8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkk-Q834FDFvMCRNRjCmY_-5_Xfzpk3eyZGxYQ27s_NGeLNI5FIDTZfLHiQ8xkJzEEq9COC8PcUZMBW_6qOelqNqgrUczdLmYzo9g2PH8HDHiexuzSI_ezigkygCMquPPtdsN8iKX3q4/s800/2012-07-29%252013.47.51.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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Elora and daddy heading out for a tube ride... she loooooved tubin', now she knows all the hand signals (especially the heavy metal devil horns, that means you're having a good ride, apparently)
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gmmI2uQJHxeNKUjXKR_yw2C8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-seXaeF6KERE/UCECuqYgQeI/AAAAAAAABvE/kQ8x9w677sw/s800/2012-07-29%252018.57.16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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A view of the mountains from the end of the dock
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hDsJX6D8tuMmUCZopdMGYGC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-Pc0_1XYTCMGKNvPGrKFEIH3ksvdyISABXD94JWnrm0L0HcZKRheyP1ejSH-o1GzXBAHRKJr78uamq7pAaAN1BU1xn8RwwlS8v3sOxOe_Ec4EjG6qp9_29AJP5mSl5DmxhUZPQSxe6E/s800/2012-07-29%252019.07.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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See that stud out there wakeboarding? That is my stud, thank you very much.
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VrW_j-tVJrd4Dn8T2AY6cmC8vTLpLxEJ49FzPsPq6K4?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXQ5XLba2OjlpmxtjVyF-c7xQ-n7HrGI1I2gEWmX7CIVMy3sFgJI9HJDJVPHQGGtPrYx3Kp9SXqWa-cHEOxY5FpLA9IB6ny-CmGRMUVeKkoREKFlWa4F4VRUP_viUQeMiVQ-6e0A13Qo/s800/2012-07-30%252012.14.15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Georgetown?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLqkvsu8oL3ssgE&feat=embedwebsite">georgetown</a></td>
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Between the tree and the feeder is a little hummingbird. If you squint you can't miss it.
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So we got home from Georgetown Lake and the following weekend was my mom's family's reunion in Colstrip. My mom is the youngest of six kids from an Irish Catholic family. If guilt were gravy they wouldn't have enough gravy boats to go around. The differences between our branch of the family tree (as in my mother and her offspring compared to my other aunt/uncles and cousins) is best illustrated by the following conversation between my cousin and I regarding karaoke:<br />
Cousin: We thought about bringing the karaoke machine but didn't think anyone would sing.<br />
Me: I would have totally rocked the karaoke machine, maybe sing some Meatloaf or "Ballroom Blitz" (goes on to sing a verse into an imaginary microphone I grip with both hands) <br />
Cousin: I was thinking more like "Angel of the Morning" would be more my speed.<br />
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That sums it up folks. My family is Ballroom Blitz. My mother's family can only be described as "Angel of the Morning". That concludes the illustration of that lesson.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-FbNzCkkIy3fF-XKc2i891M2oE6yJnC8iHcBJC7pzVc?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMNmkn_lOtJFqc0Ljg_Il240LHfgmghhSL-YS7_zj8YeYJlGLL43y67F_arbbQWx68ourMDWNshwwT3Kd8Yp6zGmEgCOqgsrtwl3BCSXmBixJd23SlkFrQMAPOlrqz09verO_XPcIJUE/s800/2012-08-04%252009.12.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/FamilyReunion?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOK7vuaE7q_UgwE&feat=embedwebsite">family reunion</a></td>
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This picture is of my mom's family, probably in the mid to late 60's based on the tie and my aunt's beehive. The three gentleman on the left are my uncles Dirk, Dallas and Danny Joe, then my grandma Mary Alice and grandpa Jack, with Debbie on the right, then my uncle Donovan is on the bottom besides an oddly-Elora looking Darla. They share a grin, I found out.<br />
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So after the conclusion of the family reunion we returned home to prepare for an invasion of awesome. Bestie Jen from the West Coast returned last Thursday, bearing only the gift of her smile and her pleasant company. But I think I'm going to save the Jen photographs until after a barbecue we are attending in her honor on Friday night. I love that her visits are like their own meteor shower. Unlike the actual meteor shower last night, I never miss one of her visits.<br />
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I'm off to bed, but I've been meaning to get a blog up for a while, so I'm happy I could get one monkey on my back.
Stay tuned for Elora's first day of school pictures. My little lady starts next week!
MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-79321574223200726332012-07-20T06:04:00.001-07:002012-07-20T06:04:17.721-07:00Ice Cream Castles in the Air<div><p>Joni Mitchell should have lived in Montana.  Our mornings are breathtaking.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8ZyvK1Po9mdJUQi7ph7k5Az8cxIIxV3j0Hc9tg6wG2UrVxEZLqAKJPmq0qmp0nysh81QR16_pE3XVczWcsl46fAGrwqRUc5tokaPAPn54b05OoUsNUUuDJe3My-dw3M_VOgNFsIhu_4/' /></div>MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-447442063750094342012-07-17T04:52:00.000-07:002012-07-17T04:52:13.405-07:00July is Half OverJuly 17th. This summer feels like it's gone into free-fall mode. We have Misty's wedding this weekend (remember <a href="http://mywitastoundsyou.blogspot.com/2012/06/it-happened-one-weekend.html">Misty</a>? She's getting married. To an amazing dude. Super happy to share this weekend with her) and then next weekend we celebrate a fabulous Bestie Birthday with Morgan and Joel at <a href="http://georgetownlakemt.com/">Georgetown Lake</a>. We're taking the kids tubing and boating and Morgan always prepares a feast for 12 people so I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend with some awesome pals.<br />
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August is already half over in my mind as well. I have a family reunion in Colstrip the first weekend, then the next weekend is the start of MontanaFair and <a href="http://sublimewithrome.com/">Sublime with Rome</a>. Yes, I realize it's not the same without Bradley, but I think that is the point, and I think Rome sounds pretty damn good, thank you very much. Miss Jen J.-M. will be here, also celebrating a birthday the night before the concert, and we will be enjoying the show with the delightful Laura G. I could piddle with excitement, I can't believe it's only 3 weekends away!<br />
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The weekend before school starts is going to be our last chance to camp. We ended up not camping last weekend due to an influx of school work and out an outflux of my patience and desire to spend all weekend alone with my family. I love them. A lot. And that is why it's important I not spend time with them when I'm reach my threshold for their shenanigans. And last week I was at my limit.<br />
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Elora starts school on 8/22. I picked up birth certificates last week, got her enrolled for the YMCA afterschool program AND signed up for swim lessons for her and her bro-bro. And thanks to a bunch of clothes from another friend I have a lot less school clothes shopping to do for her. We will probably make a girl-date to shop and get all her stuff together.<br />
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I'm even going to be come a cold-lunch mom! She's going to find a lunch box and I will start packing her and myself a lunch! I found a couple awesome websites with lots of ideas (<a href="http://easylunchboxes.smugmug.com/The-Best-Lunchbox-System/Yummy-Lunch-Ideas">here</a> and <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/04/19/school-lunch-roundup/">here</a>) and will probably start making a couple things to feed the kids over the next few weeks to judge how much they will eat of any particular item.<br />
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It's time to start preparing for work, it's a busy week and I need to get in early today. If you don't see a post by August, just wait longer ;-)<br />
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<br />MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-2403435298209614302012-07-13T18:50:00.001-07:002012-07-13T18:50:13.855-07:00Relay for LifeI joke about being the most ungrateful cancer survivor out there. I say I joke, but I think I totally hold that title. I don't participate in cancer fundraisers. I don't know why, beyond laziness and procrastination. I feel like I was so young when I had it that I don't "connect" with other survivors like people that had it during shared periods with their peers. I was the only person my age undergoing chemo when I did. It was really difficult, not having anyone that was having the same feelings of anger that I was because adults had less anger and more resignation towards their own disease. They fought for their kids and their spouses, and I didn't. I had an amazing boyfriend and wonderful parents, and they were all wonderful while I duked it with a nuclear tumor in my chest. I honestly didn't think I would have kids (surprise!). The fact that chemo erases most of the memories from that time frame makes it almost like a surreal dream, the remembering a tv show that you watched years ago.<br />
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My friend Misty wrote me a message at work today. Misty does participate in cancer fundraisers, and I'm happy to know that I have friends that support finding a cure. She said the following:<br />
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"<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">I walk tonight for my friend Mary. She is an ingrate of a
survivor, thumbing her nose at the disease and the ridiculous hoopla involved
in being a victim and allowing your life to be defined by it."</span></span><br />
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I read this and my eyes welled with tears. I have never been prouder to be an ingrate. Thanks Misty!<br />MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-81278472911100957512012-07-08T20:59:00.001-07:002012-07-08T20:59:39.766-07:00Longest Sunday in ExistenceSome Sundays are gone before they even start. This was not one of those Sundays.<br />
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First, I've been fighting off a bizarre mix of sore throat/sinus infection that feels like a touch of tonsillitis has set in since last week. I only drank 3 beers the WHOLE DAY of the Fourth (anyone that knows me is shaking their head at their computer in utter disbelief). And I'm trying to fight it off naturally, lots of fluids and Mucinex and ibuprofen and saline solution. I don't feel as crappy tonight as I did a couple days ago, but my throat still feels like I'm parched all the time. Could be all the fires and smoke, too. If you're not from these parts, Montana is pretty much 10% burned to the ground now. I made up that statistic, but if I'm even close to being right I will pretend like I knew it all along.<br />
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Thad has been working all day long. All. Day. Long. Real work, so I can't even be mad that I spend the entire day cleaning up kids' crap, sorting kids' clothes, entertaining/disciplining said kids with 0% help from my husband. I don't have to like it, but I can't be angry about it. I feel robbed of something.<br />
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Elora, Morgan and I (plus Joel's sister & niece) went to see "Brave" today, which was probably the highlight of the day. Elora and I love lifting up the arm rest and getting snuggled up when we watch movies together. And this one was excellent, I loved the story line, and even though it made me cry I didn't feel like Pixar raped my emotions the way they have in the past. In fact, Morgan mentioned that her go-to movie to get herself crying is "Steel Magnolias" (agreed), and I had to counter that the first 5 minutes of "Up" is about as emotionally devastating.<br />
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As for Colter, someone has replaced my little cute and curious 2 year old with <b><i>hell on wheels</i></b>. He is unreal, a typhoon of energy and destruction. He is almost 3 and he is really starting to act like it. Apparently both my kids are exhibiting really typical behavior for their ages, which is why I'm surprised there really aren't more child murders in this country. BRAVO, AMERICA, IF YOU CAN ACTUALLY RAISE A CHILD PAST THIS AGE WITHOUT CAUSING PERMANENT BODILY HARM I FEEL A STATUE SHOULD BE ERECTED IN HONOR OF YOUR SELF CONTROL.<br />
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Anyways, I have several hours worth of DVRed television that I plan to go ignore in order to go to bed. Enjoy your Monday, internetz!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-22956151927904100642012-07-01T06:05:00.001-07:002012-07-01T06:05:13.322-07:00Early Sunday MorningColter has been sneaking into my bed every night for the last week, and he seems to now be acclimating to sleeping with me because I was actually able to stay in the bed and continue sleeping for the last couple of nights. He's a thrasher, with a side order of throwing his leg over anything next to him all night long. And he is a furnace. I woke up at around 3 and 4 a couple mornings last week.<br />
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This morning I woke up to my normal internal alarm that goes off before 6:00 am every day. EVERY. DAY. Even vacation days when I want to sleep in, or hangover days. Hangover days actually mean an earlier wake up for me, I don't know why. So I used the extra time to sort some laundry, do a sinkful of dishes (all the disgusting rancid sippy cups are officially accounted for) and am writing this blog. How ambitious of me!!!<br />
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July 1st. Holy shit. I just realized the entire month of June is out the door, waiving goodbye before it's even taken off its coat and hat. It's a good thing I used a little time in June to update my online calendar with the upcoming school schedule, Thad's on-call schedule, and the day care providers holiday schedule, because July is going to race by. Elora starts school in 1 month and 22 days, so of course it will race by. I'm truly looking forward to some mommy/daughter girl time to school shop with her. It's going to be so much fun!<br />
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(I just looked up behavior problems in 5 year olds on Baby Center. Turns out I'm doing EVERYTHING WRONG.)<br />
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(I think that when the Fourth of July falls on a mid-week day you should observe it on a Friday. Just saying.)<br />
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(It isn't even 7:00 am and I feel the day slipping away already. Is this like a backwards summer seasonal depression?)<br />
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I have a new buddy, my neighbor Rhiannon. Or Rhianna (lol, if she reads this she will laugh). We had beers downtown yesterday afternoon, and it was fun! Exclamation point! I haven't been to two different bars in two hours since I was in my twenties! Exclamation point! And the patio at Tiny's was gorgeous on the last day of June! That's right, one more exclamation point!<br />
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Just got big news that my bestie Jen J.-M. (documented in all her lush glory <a href="http://mywitastoundsyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-fren-jen.html">HERE</a>) is coming to Montana at the same time as the MontanaFair/Sublime w/ Rome concert! I've put off buying tickets, and now I know it's because I knew deep down that I should wait. It's like I have a sixth, or even seventh sense, about these types of things..... I am super stoked.<br />
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My mom is coming for the next week, so I actually have to go make up her bed with clean sheets and give her a stack of towels. I'm on to my next task, so you all have a great Sunday, internet folks!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-57996727761544109562012-06-17T21:15:00.000-07:002012-06-17T21:15:54.396-07:00It Happened One Weekend<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
This weekend started as a dream. A vision of a world where life was fair and my hard work as a mother and wife (and daughter) paid off in the form of a weekend away with girlfriends, hanging out and doing what we do best. Which is drinking and laughing. </div>
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The dream sort of morphed into reality in the form of an overnight with ONE girlfriend (although many were there in spirit, of course), and what we really did best was <i>eating </i>and laughing. We did a shit load of both.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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Meet Misty. We have been friends for over a decade and this is the first time we've had a sleepover. And I think we knocked it outta the park.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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We went to Bozeman for a little R & R, and it turned out to be one of the funnest and most relaxing trips I might have the pleasure of one day saying I have ever taken.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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Bozeman is filled with a smorgasbord of styles, from the old stain glass in the buildings to the obvious art deco influences of some of the architecture. This is an example of Art Nouveau I found downtown. I had an architecture boner the whole time. I also love the old Hotel Baxter you see in the background, they have a restaurant, a pub called Bacchus and a French chocolate shop. I would be broke if I lived closer. Three words. Nipple. Of. Venus.</div>
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Let's talk about THE FOOD. ***Disclaimer - If you are prone to palate-jealousy or are on a diet, please be forewarned that this is going to get graphic. Proceed at your own risk.***</div>
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I put feelers out with some folks on the places to eat in Bozeman. <a href="http://www.cafezydeco.com/">Cafe Zydeco</a> was a recommendation from two foodies who have never been there but have heard from other foodies how amazing it is. </div>
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We got to town and parked at the far end of Main Street, closest to the Montana Ale Works, as this was where we were planning to end our day of downtown shenanigans. We walked a long way..... let's just say about 18 blocks... just to get to Cafe Zydeco. If we had planned better we may have looked the place up and parked closer, but the spirit of adventure was alive in both of us.</div>
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SIDEBAR: This weekend was Pride weekend in Bozeman. There were a lot of rainbows, and we witnessed one woman walking down Main Street topless. More power to ya, sister. Bras suck, and if men can do it I say brave the sunburn and relish the freedom.</div>
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So 18 blocks later, we have reached our destination, Cafe Zydeco, conveniently located next to La Chatelain Chocolat. They have another location in the very same Hotel Baxter I mentioned earlier. They have artisan ice cream and the prettiest chocolates I've ever set eyes on. I wish I would have taken a picture..... now I'm overwhelmed with sadness.</div>
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Back to the Zydeco.... we walk in and it is warm. Really warm. Sweltering might be the word. And there is a ceiling fan over their lovely ordering area that just gives you the feeling that it could be just as easily churning the air over a restaurant in New Orleans.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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This is the area we chose to eat outside... we're in a little open shed, perfectly shaded and cool.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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We order a muffaletta sandwich to share and an order of beignets with cafe au lait.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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This is the close up of the sandwich. There is capicola, salami, the most delightful ratio of olive tapenade and mayo, and the lettuce is sprinkled with balsalmic, which pretty much made my taste buds climax.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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Then came the beignets. They pour about a cup of powdered sugar over the 4 you order. This is Misty enjoying hers.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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I had a slight problem with my beignet. When you bring the beignet to your mouth to take a bite, but end up laughing at something your traveling companion says, you wind up "antiqued" by the shower of powdered sugar that flies everywhere. You will still have spots of white on your jeans and your sweater, no matter how much brushing of ones self you do. Fact of life.</div>
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So after saying "this is so good" about 30 times during our visit we decide to head back downtown and peruse some of the other vendors on our way. We skipped the stop at the next-door chocolate shop, opting instead to stop in at the location in Hotel Baxter. I ordered toasted coconut ice cream. It's the closest you can get to literally eating Hawaiian Tropic tanning lotion without the illness that occurs when you eat tanning lotion. Decadent is an understatement.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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We stopped at an Irish pub as we made our way back to the car. <a href="http://www.pub317.com/">Pub 317</a> is gorgeous, filled with dark wood and real Irish tall booths. They have live Irish music on Sundays. I think I'm going to make sure I'm there for a Sunday evening the next time I'm in Bozeman.</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MU1W3HoaHDhM-FIJnOjOgfngkNTOEIMG6zJYWAcQngs?feat=embedwebsite"><img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZksX14IzXJJASCMvz75HTWXiDsArm3gl80yZ0JSXUzYAbaMbG6Zm7rSEWNEuAg3K0h_dm-TTCsYXlGJl_r2nUppChEKRYCPfY81KgXSZGil9NpDa0t7M3EPSMw4EdBBUIETYBlnrfnUg/s400/2012-06-16%252014.47.27.jpg" width="400" /></a>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a>
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Misty and enjoying a beer before jewelry shopping.</div>
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Benjie's is jam packed full of beeeeeautiful jewelry, sterling silver, and it is all 50% off whatever the price tag indicates. I got a new labradorite pendant and a pair of iolite earrings. My total was less than 20 bucks. Thanks again to Laura G for another great suggestion.</div>
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Once we finished jewelry shopping our last scheduled stop before we figured out what we were doing for the night was <a href="http://montanaaleworks.com/">Montana Ale Works</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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Where we saw the world's shortest bottle of ketchup. Mary size. </div>
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<tr><td style="font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105866992208317292365/Bozeman2012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJCLtLOp0suL5AE&feat=embedwebsite">Bozeman 2012</a></td></tr>
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This was my wedge salad. Pretty epic as far as salads go.</div>
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We had toyed with the idea of heading to Chico and staying in Livingston. We ixnayed that because our bellies were too full and I had to face the reality that I would not be up late enough to take part in any of the fun stuff Chico would offer after hours. So we got a room at a hotel with a pool and a hot tub. Make that just a TUB. There was nothing hot about it, but we did sit in it's tepid water for nearly two hours so it obviously cured something that ailed us.</div>
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I was in bed by 11:00 pm. No night life, no bar scene, just two girls, some HGTV, and the promise of breakfast.</div>
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Breakfast. If I'd only written about breakfast in this blog it would have been equally as long as it already is. Misty, being the smartest researcher on the planet, Googled "best breakfast in Bozeman" and came up with two options. One of which was <a href="http://thenovacafe.com/">The Nova Cafe</a>. If Bozeman hadn't already surpassed my culinary expectations, this would have put me right over the top.</div>
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Everything is local. Everything is delicious. The coffee is quite possibly some magical elixir, because it was neither too bitter nor too light and had just the right flavor. JUST RIGHT. I drank cup after cup, the waitress seemed prepared for this and made sure the fresh cream kept a coming. The food.... well, it was so good I didn't even get a picture. Misty had the breakfast burrito, which was epic. I had the Bozli, which is two eggs scrambled with local ham and white cheddar, and their amazing potatoes. AMAZING. This was also a meal I think back to and remember saying "this is so good" and making yummy noises through to an almost obnoxious level.</div>
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We had to hit Zydeco's one more time on our way out, just to hold on to the magic a little longer. One to-go gumbo and shrimp po' boy for me, a muffaletta for my friend, and a quick stop for "thank you" chocolates for my mom and sister for staying the weekend while Thad was on call. Perfect.</div>
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This ext weekend we are in Colstrip for Colstrip Days, an excellent time to let kids run wild and enjoy time with old pals. Riding the high of this weekend into the coming week will help keep the wind in my sails until my next awesome weekend adventure.</div>
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<br /></div>MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-86595023069887087742012-06-11T19:47:00.003-07:002012-06-11T19:47:34.797-07:00Under the radarWow, it's been a whole month since Cinco De Oh-no, and while there isn't a huge amount of news I'd like to at least catch up on things we've done since last month.<br />
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- I have not turned in Elora's school enrollment stuff, mainly because I need her birth certificate and have to order one online. I should probably do that tonight. I also need to send her enrollment for the YMCA after school program. Hopefully having blogged about it will mean I can no longer procrastinate. Don't count on it.<br />
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- I've fallen head over heels in love with the HBO series 'Girls'. Hilarious. It is nothing like "Sex and the City", except there is sex, 4 girls, and it's in NYC. Other than that, nothing.<br />
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- Thad is doing super good in school, all A's so far. He also just got an <b><i>old</i></b><b> </b>car, like from the 80s, this weekend to save some money on his in-town-commute gas consumption. <br />
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- An old Colstrip friend, Kari, moved to the Heights recently, and it's been fun getting to hang out with her and throw our kids together in her yard. Super nice to have yet another close-by friend (shout out to my other close-by friend, Laura G, for being an impromptu hostess to my motley crew last night, sorry about the cup LOL). <br />
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- Ask and you shall receive... after posting on Facebook that I needed a girls weekend a dear friend and bride-to-be approached me about making some fun weekend plans and we're taking a little trip to Bozeman this weekend to shop and eat and maybe dip in at Chico for the evening. <br />
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- I read "Fifty Shades of Grey" this weekend. Whoa. In a word, that's all I can say.<br />
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- I also finished 'The Forsyte Saga' on Netflix this weekend. Ten hour long episodes. All packed to the brim with passion and Victorian/Art Nouveau/Art Deco architecture, clothing and jewelry. I loved it. I feel a gaping wound in my soul. Now taking applications for a new Netflix show to consume me for a few days/weeks.<br />
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The summer already seems half over, mainly because of so many weekends with plans already made. I took a calendar we got on our recent excursion to Idaho and marked each weekend with what was going on, and it boggles my mind how we can have so much going on, all leading up to the grand finale of Elora going to school. <br />
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I better start a list of things that have to happen before 8/22/12. The first thing on my list is to make a list. I might make it more like an outline with bullets and a numbering lettering system. I'm going to nerd the eff out on making a list right now. Go find something else to do to kill some time, quit bugging me!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-62727744256991259132012-05-05T19:09:00.002-07:002012-05-05T19:09:38.488-07:00Cinco de Oh-no!How is it May 5th?! Did we hit a wrinkle in the space-time continuum?! It seems like it was New Years Even only yesterday and all of a sudden we're 1/3rd of the way through 2012. Time for a quick inventory of my 2012 bucket list:<br />
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Visit hot springs during delicious winter months - CHECK. Twice. <br />
Try out new recipes - Also done and done. We have been cooking like crazy at Casa de la Swan. And still more to try, barbeque season is starting with a fury this year.<br />
Make a trip by myself (i.e. no kids or husband) - still working on it, although taking a trip with my husband might be better.... except he's got homework and reading most nights so I am still going to have to calculate logistics and see what makes sense. But a little California sun could be in my 2012 future!<br />
Get to some good concerts - well, I have MontanaFair to thank for the only concert so far this year I'm considering going to: Sublime with Rome! If you know me, you know Sublime pretty much simultaneously rocks my world and floats my boat all at once. I've already been practicing holding one arm up to simulate the beer in my hand while I dance in place. It's all about the training.<br />
Do the Women's Run - registered! And super excited to see some super awesome chicas for it!<br />
Do the Dirty Dash - I'm being bribed to do it, because once I realized it was $50 per person to enter I was more interested in getting a tattoo for that much money versus running a race. Too bad for me that Morgan is one of the best friends a girl could ask for, and now I can't deny her this request.<br />
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So, onward into May. I'm ready to have some fun!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-66727304407970829062012-05-05T09:33:00.002-07:002012-05-05T09:33:23.217-07:00Easy Peasy Pasta SaladForewarning: there will be no pictures in this food blog. I am not a food photographer, I'm an eater. Let your taste buds do the talking.<br />
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<b><u>Easy Peasy Pasta Salad </u></b><br /><br />
8 cups loose pasta (I used tri-colored spirals), cooked and drained<br />
1 1/2 c mayo<br />
juice of 1 lemon (or about a tbsp if you are using a plastic lemon like I was)<br />
1 tbsp Ranch dressing mix (and rather than buying a package at the store, you can <a href="http://www.5dollardinners.com/2011/04/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix.html">MAKE YOUR OWN</a>!)<br />
2 tbsp of Wildtree Smokey Bacon flavored grapeseed oil (or the last of the only bottle you have until your new order comes in soon) (or regular olive oil, or some other flavor, bacon isn't required but it is delicious)<br />
1 1/2 c chopped red, orange & yellow pepper (I used a half of each color)<br />
30 or so pepperoni, stacked and cut into quarters (or buy cubes if Walmart isn't out at 11:30pm on a Friday night while you drunkenly shop with your giggling friend Laura)<br />
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Cook the pasta, and drain. Place in a large bowl. Add in the chopped peppers and pepperoni. Stir to combine.<br />
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Mix the mayo, lemon juice, ranch mix, and oil in a small bowl. Add to pasta and toss to coat thoroughly.<br />
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Take to your old friend's non-Cinco de Mayo May 5th birthday party and bet on a pony in the Derby. Drink lots of beer, eat lots of the pasta salad, and make sure you bring bubbles and sidewalk chalk.<br />
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Cook's note: I love this bacon oil, it gives the illusion of bacon being in the pasta salad, but the pepperoni gives it a lovely chewy bite. I interchange a lot of ingredients, use more lemon juice, throw in some onion, the possibilities are endless. Perfect barbecue side dish.MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-49472657683569473162012-04-25T05:19:00.002-07:002012-04-25T05:19:45.705-07:00Shop til You Drop.... Minus the DroppingSo I hosted a Thirty One, Scentsy, and Wildtree party on Saturday. It didn't have many attendees, which reminds me why I'm not a party thrower, because when no one comes its slightly crushing to one's self esteem. But the consultants are all wonderful ladies for watching me drink most of the two bottles of wine we opened and staying the whole time to visit and eat.<br />
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If you're interested in ordering anything, the links are below. Thirty One had a special that if you purchase $31 of products you can get a purse for 50% off.... this is an excellent way to order if you know someone who wants a purse (or maybe you want a purse but don't need anything else). That party is <a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/preshop.aspx">right here</a>. <br />
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I made food using some Wildtree products for the party, and we got to sample some of the dressings and marinades. Yum! The Outrageous Orange sauce was super good. If you want to check out any of the products they are all <a href="http://www.mywildtree.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E46945&from=DIRECTLINK&verify=true">right here</a>.<br />
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Last but not least, Scentsy has some AMAZING body products that I can't wait to get ordered, and my consultant's page is <a href="https://sariw.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Home">right here</a>. She doesn't have a party open for me at the moment online, but if you see something just email me (email address <a href="mailto:swanny119@gmail.com">HERE</a>) and I will put it on my order for you!<br />
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Happy Hump Day!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-88554433302159766922012-04-21T16:18:00.001-07:002012-04-21T16:19:11.294-07:00Here Comes Your Man<div><p>I'm 2, and I'm oblivious to reason<i>! </i></p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLtQKDBLcZW2k3LWK5gB3-tqG5ly2CDoZ5InVuS-aFo9Ezk9Ydj_9_CXouj0QKEzpmKzj9K9HGzT2VTaySXdwGAP_76Puz6cOWkt__aaP3yghIsT5n1wbzwGZNy6j8ksOE7WI0rj7lKw/' /></div>MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-53511253137269194422012-04-05T21:36:00.001-07:002012-04-05T21:36:36.980-07:00The New GigLast year I applied for a position in the organization I work for. Lo and behold, after completing the interview process I was offered the position, that of Eligibility Administrator. Roll that around in your mouth for a moment. Nice and slow. Doesn't that sound nice? I like that it has just a shade of respectability to it. Moving on.<br />
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The company I work for, who I feel odd naming on my blog since I wouldn't necessarily recommend that they read my blog based on the use of the word asshole and my desire to make people laugh by being inappropriate, is an awesome company. I really love it. Look up Third Party Administrator on google. I work at a TPA. There is so much I now know about health care, health care reform, and insurance, and my job allows me to find ways to make those mysterious topics less mysterious to the employees we handle benefits for. I started in the call center, and I was one of the freaks that actually LOVED talking to people on the phone. I sort of miss that part every day. But on with the new position!<br />
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I started training in February, and am happy to announce that I got it done and I will be introduced to the employers that I will be handling the eligibility issues for in the next couple weeks while I quietly get to know their workload. This is the point of no return. I am choosing to walk headlong into the fray and I am oddly exhilarated by it.<br />
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I lucked out and got into a position that already seems to reward my (often spotty) critical thinking and my small town nosiness. When I have issues where we have families that appear to have coverage through baby daddy's and remarriage it's actually important for me to wonder who is who's dad and whether or not he got stuck with a custody agreement that would make the coverage through someone else a primary payer. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary. These are my daily jargon. Tertiary means third. I don't get to say it often, but when I do I savor it.<br />
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The new department has also gotten a taste of the genius that is my brain. I'm a process improver, give me a process you think is redundant or outdated or even one you don't think is really "broken" and I can probably find a way to make it faster, easier, or at least more thorough. I'm finally getting to spread my Excel wings a little bit and make my own spreadsheets for various tasks. The daily work of this new job is going to be a little stressful, but I know that when I have issues or problems or need help with a project I'll get the support I need.<br />
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This new job, combined with a new position Thad took at his work (congrats, husband, you make me so proud to be married to such a smart, handsome guy), means that this summer we probably won't get to get out of town as much as we'd like, but we already have some fun stuff planned for July (weekend at a lake house, how upper middle class of us!) and my mom's family reunion in Colstrip in August. We'll be making time for the important stuff. <br />
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I may not blog as often (haha, like I blog regularly at all as it is) but when I do you know it will be a gem! Stay tuned!MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-62538132495986355242012-03-14T20:47:00.001-07:002012-03-14T20:47:24.073-07:00I Have Seen the Gates of Hell<div>
And they look a lot like Disney on Ice.<br />
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Last week we took the kids to opening night of Disney on Ice. It was quite an experience, if that is what one calls the physical embodiment of their own personal nightmare.<br />
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Just kidding, in theory the idea is quite genius. Take stories from all the Disney movies, play the famous music, and dress people riding sharpened pieces of metal on their shoes like the characters in said movies, sometimes even building costumes to personify the rounder characters in all their squatty glory. As a fan of figure skating dating all the way back to the Nancy/Tanya days I like to see the jumps and the spins and the... jumps. And more spins. The problem wasn't what was going on <i>on the ice</i>. It was all the shenanigans ensuing <i>off of it</i>.<br />
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I must first say, Elora has grown and aged into quite a little girl. She is so tall, and so long in all of her limbs, but she is helpful and (to some degree) well behaved. Her brother, on the other hand, is neither helpful or well behaved. He is, for lack of a better word, an asshole. You may consider the language rather harsh for a 2 year old, but I don't <i>tell him</i> he's an asshole. I just use it as the most descriptive disambiguation of how a 2 year old can behave (please click <a href="http://www.offsprung.com/forum/topics/my-three-year-old-is-an-asshole?commentId=3680042%3AComment%3A90464">HERE </a>for a wonderfully poignant summary of 2 to 3 year old behavior, which I found when I googled "my 2 year old is an asshole"). He will probably grow out of being 2, and then 3 after that, and will likely start to normalize a bit. But for now he's belligerent and unreasonable. <br />
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As the story unfolds we get to the show and get seated, and we wait patiently for the show to begin. This is Colter's first time in the Metra, and we got pretty nosebleed seats so I wasn't worried of the danger that one of my kids would be playing too close to one of the rails and fall over. The PA system is playing canned messages that must come with the whole Disney on Ice tour, stating that you could take pictures, but only for your own purposes and no video, only to later send ushers through the upper reaches of the bleachers to tell people to not take any pictures regardless of the what the message said. Two words: Nazi. Regime. And I wasn't even taking pictures, I just heard some poor guy behind us get told what-for. Fascists.<br />
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The audience is rampant with the various toys/drinks/junk food that accompanies an event of this nature. The show gets started and the kids are mesmerized. Colter is singing along with the music, Elora is yelling "I love this song" at the beginning of every song, things start off strong. It was my bright idea to go get the "stuff", the crap that the event shills, early on so we could keep kids distracted when necessary. I ask Thad to switch places with me so he is beside Colter and I can go get the stuff. He says "I can go get it", so I hand him all $40 of crap buying cash I had with me. I should have given exact instructions. Hindsight is always 20/20.<br />
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Thad returns soon thereafter with a spinning, light-up Tinkerbell themed toy, and a plastic Stitch. That's it. Stitch doesn't have lights, he doesn't have anything that spins, and frankly Colter hasn't even seen Lilo & Stitch so he has no idea what the hell it is. And the total of the two toys left no money left over for even a drink to keep a kid distracted from his sister's toy. So Colter wants Elora's toy. And he proceeds to flip out repeatedly, even when the toy was put away, in an attempt to get at the toy wherever it was at. Thad and I both got up and walked him around the stands, and each time he settled for roughly 2 minutes before turning into a psycho hose beast attempting to get to the bag with the toys.<br />
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Thad decided to take Colter home, which is one of the many reasons I love living so close to the Metra, because when this shit goes down we can drive home and back in less than 15 minutes. So Elora and I finished watching the show with some friends of mine who happened to be there with their daughter. This couple I've known since before they were a couple, which is hilarious because we all met when we started training together at Bresnan, and they weren't together at the time and didn't get together for a very long time. She had to go through a ridiculous marriage and a beautiful daughter before they got together, but the sexual tension had been palpable for a very long time. She laughs at me in a way that just brings out my entertainer, and we bantered and cackled during the show while our kids ignored us. <br />
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At one point I mentioned that I just was so curious about what goes on backstage for the cast of Disney on Ice. I want to know all the sordid details, who is sleeping with whom, whose drinking is causing problems, who called who a whore. We laughed over this remark and I followed up with the best quote of my 30s thus far... "Disney on Ice skaters are like the carnies of the figure skating world". Sheer comedic gold. I think I'll constantly be trying to top that one, and likely failing miserably my entire life. <br />
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So that is it, my experience with Disney on Ice summarized for your reading enjoyment. The Shrine Circus looks like it could be another experiment in pain, but I will be better prepared by enlisting the services of grandparents to wrangle the young one. And a leash.</div>MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3573388961057879712.post-17051068093400045542012-02-26T08:06:00.000-08:002012-02-26T08:06:44.704-08:00Adventures in Menu-makingI had posted on Facebook recently that I was going to try to stretch my tax return as far as it will go this year by trying to make our paychecks last longer for groceries and gas and the day to day, week to week stuff we always need. I'm the main money person in our household in terms of money management (Thad is a spender, not a manager), and now that my husband is going back to school we'll have a nice sum of debt to pay back after he gets the degree he's going to work on.<br />
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I had been using Ziplist, and I loved it, it lets you add your recipes that you like and make shopping lists out of the recipes, but it had no planner capabilities. I really need a planner. I used to use Tasty Planner, but had made the switch over to Ziplist. Someone I worked with recommended <a href="http://www.pepperplate.com/">Pepper Plate</a>, and oh boy I'm in love. I've worked out the initial kinks (what is the difference between the Menu option and the Planner option?) and found that they offer a <a href="http://www.pepperplate.com/bookmarklet.aspx">bookmark button</a> that lets you add a recipe from a webpage you are viewing. If it's one of the website supported by Pepper Plate you don't even have to copy/paste, but if not the copy/paste is all done in a sidebar on the page and is SUPER EASY. Case in point, I added about 30 recipes to it this morning from various places.<br />
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After I added all my recipes for the morning I started adding the things I plan to make to my Planner. Menus are where you can combine recipes you plan to make for the same meal into a Menu, and then you can add those grouped recipes to your Planner. Once I picked the days of the week I was going to make my meals you add that days to your Shopping List, which I had already customized to match the aisles at our nearest Walmart so it would group my ingredients into where I would find them. I took out the stuff I knew I already had, added a few things that weren't food related (like diapers) and voila, we're ready to hit the store.<br />
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I've also been using Pinterest a bit more these days, which has introduced me to a lot of really awesome recipes and some homemade cleaning products, so as I find these I will probably start adding them to Pepper Plate. I also fell in love with a blog called <a href="http://www.mamalovesfood.com/">Mama Loves Food</a> that has pretty much given me a new reason to live.... or at least cook :)<br />
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I'm still working on a way to capitalize on my children. They are cute but I don't know if I'm the kind of mother that can force them into child modeling. I'll work on loosening my morals on the subject a little more :)MRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669196033105799937noreply@blogger.com0