deviled egg carrier

I am the designated pie maker and deviled egg maker of my family (among other goodies), not sure how I got these distinctions, but for whatever reason I am in charge of them for all family gatherings. I think they give those jobs to me because I have the most patience for messy, time consuming recipes (ha ha!). Now, let me tell you, I am part hillbilly (and proud of it) and we have pies and deviled eggs all year long, they are not purely summertime favorites, we'll have deviled eggs with our Thanksgiving turkey, thank you very much. You'd think I'd buy one of those cute plastic carriers from Tupperware or Rubbermaid, oh no, not me, too cheap for that. I found that my mini muffin pan (holds 24) is perfect for transporting eggs here and there. Of course, I rely on my beautiful glass dish for parties at my house (bought second hand, told ya I was cheap), wouldn't Martha be so proud? A regular sized muffin pan works well too. Just a little tip, enjoy!

I am venting so beware...

Why does Sports Illustrated for KIDS have an ad with the race car driver, Danika (sorry about the spelling?) in sexy black leather, hair blowing in the wind, saying, "body by milk" in it? What?! My kids are looking for this magazine for role models and this is what is included? Shame on SI for KIDS and shame on the Got Milk people. I won't be renewing this subscription. Grrr....

AND (told you I was venting) why does a size 6/6x tank top for Zoe have a shelf bra sewn in? Hello? She is 6 and not anywhere near ready for a bra of any kind! Are fashion designers/manufacturers trying to encourage our girls to grow up faster, making it "cool" to have a bra in your shirt? Well, just to show them how dumb they are, I cut that dang thing out, Zoe said it was "bugging" her and she said, "mommy, I don't need this, I don't have big girl chest." Amen girlie, crazy, a 6 year old has it more together than adults making clothes. Grrr...

my computer stinks!

I'm still here, working on deleting stuff from my computer to make room for new pictures. You won't believe how cute my Tanner is! I miss blogging so much. I have had lots of silly stories to share but I swear this computer is very temperamental. I will do my best until we get a new one.

Cute thing to share: Parker is all excited because he realizes his birthday isn't too far away, actually it's in October, but he thinks it's soon. Anyway, he keeps telling me he is "almost four." I said, "stop it, you have to stay little and be my little buddy." So he says back to me, "mommy, I will still be your yiddle buddy when I am foh!" Cuteness overload, I love him.

clean shower

I have a great tip for cleaning your shower...

I put cheap (the $1 kind) shaving cream on the walls and let the kids go crazy. They smear it, smoosh it, write in it and just have a grand old time. I usually have to drag them out of the tub kicking and screaming (and teeth chattering from the water getting cold) because they have so much fun. Before they get out, they have to rinse it off the walls. Voila! Instant clean walls, shh don't tell them they are cleaning for you, they will protest vehemently.

just note: the kids' shower walls are the plastic surround kind, not ceramic tile, I have never used it on tile, not sure what it would do

Hefty, Chinet, and Dixie, Oh my!

I did it. I caved. I bought paper plates about a month ago and have been using them for lunch and snacks. This goes against so much of what I hold dear. I really hate wasting things. I do not like to buy things only to throw them away. I don't like to create unnecessary trash. I really like using my dishes, Fiestaware is just plain pretty, and pizza rolls look way yummier on real dishes! Do you hear the "but" coming on? BUT, I hate running my dishwasher two (sometimes three) times a day and then having to empty it. And we were doing just that, almost everyday, using enough dishes to load and wash two times. So there, I admit it, I am contributing more to the landfills (good thing I am a recycling nazi), and the guilt I feel is enormous. I do however, love only doing dishwasher duty once a day. Oh, the yin yang of a mom's life can be so profound can't it?

storage help

Does anyone have any ideas for storing dance costumes? Help! I am being taken over by sequins, feathers, and tulle! Should I just get rid of them, keep them, or sell them? What to do...

I'm back, kind of

We're still having computer problems but since my hubby's new job doesn't start until Aug. 1st, therefore, no income until then, I will have to make due with this crummy computer... until we can get it fixed or a new one. Bear with me...

I just finished the Herculean task of cleaning Zoe's room. It took me all day. Literally. I am exhausted. Five full garbage bags, four large boxes for Goodwill, rearranged furniture, scrubbing, dusting, about 10 trips to the basement and back, and reorganizing, yep, I did it all. She was devastated when she came home from dance camp. She cried her eyes out over the books I took away. Paul was here to "take the hit" and he said she was ok after a few minutes. I was at Target buying hangers for his new suits and work clothes and I was literally afraid to come home to face her wrath. She was waiting for me to give me a thorough a-- chewing when I pulled in the garage. Now, a few hours later, and with the promise of a trip to Hobby Lobby to get supplies for new artwork for her room, she is loving me and her room. Ahh, bliss. Clean room and a happy girl, what more could I ask for? I will try to post pictures when we are done, if my computer will let me.