Dude, where's my van?

Last night I went to the gym like I normally do around 5 pm.  The location of the gym I go to has a Chipotle and a Trader Joes that utilize the same parking lot.  And for some reason it is always really hard to find a parking spot on the first try.  I end up driving around and around for 5 minutes or more before one opens up.  It's very irritating to say the least.  

So last night while I was circling the prime spots waiting for someone to leave I noticed there were 6 or more other people doing the same thing I was.  I knew my chances of getting a spot were dwindling as more cars entered the parking lot.  I figured if I wanted to make it to my class on time I had better just take a spot farther away than I would normally choose and take a hike to the gym.  

When class was over, I and the kids walked out to where I thought we had parked.  But my van was no where to be found.  I felt like everything was in slow motion and panic started to set in.  The kids could sense my stress and they too started to worry.  Carson kept saying, "Mommy I'm scared." Yep, I was too.  I had left my purse in the van, but covered it up so it wasn't noticeable.  But what if someone broke in and found my purse and my wallet.  Thoughts of having to call the bank and each credit card company flashed though my head.  And how in the world were we going to get home?  I had started to panic - big time.

And the kids were all worried that someone had stolen their Nintendo DS game systems that they had left in the van.  In their world that is some important stuff!

Finally, Carson pointed further away and said he thought we had parked over that way.  We walked over 50 feet or so and sure enough, there was my van.  A huge sense of relief came over me.  That was until I walked over to the passenger side and saw that someone had ran into my side mirror and cracked pieces of plastic were all over the ground.  Unbelievable.  

But I couldn't get too upset considering I thought I had just had my mini van stolen.  A cracked mirror is nothing I can't handle.  

The responses

Yesterday I asked a handful of questions that have been on my mind.  I am always curious if people do things the same as I do or if I am the odd ball.  But I must say with the answers and comments I received that I am half normal and half abnormal per your standards.  And really that only includes 4 people so there may be a slight bit of bias, so be it.  

Here are your results (and I totally just mistyped (but corrected) the word 'result' and it came out kinda nasty - figure it out):

• 75% of you dry off while in the shower before you step out.
  

I am in the majority here - thank goodness.  I understand the concept of the bath mat outside of the shower, but I don't believe it's for completely dripping wet bodies.  That is what a towel is for.  The mat, in my opinion, is a safety precaution so one doesn't slip and fall; not to absorb a ton of water that will take over 24 hours to dry.  Now only if my husband could follow these guidelines.  Sigh.

• 75% of you place your cups upside down in your cupboard/cabinet.

Well, I guess 50% of the time I do the upside down thing, but the other half of the time I put them right side up.  The plastic cups go upside down, but the mugs and glassware are all right side up.  I like how Steph phrased it, "I just don't like the mouth part to touch anything." And that is why I only use a mug or a glass.  Enough said.

• The next question was split 50-50.  Half of you use the word cupboard and the other half use cabinet.

I use both as well, but find myself calling it a cabinet more often.  Cupboard sounds more old fashioned to me, so I choose to be young and hip by calling it a cabinet.  Whatever.

• 100% of you call supper dinner.  Did that even make a bit of sense? 

I call my evening meal 'dinner' as well.  When I was younger we used the word supper a lot, but I feel like it's more of a slang term and the word dinner is a bit more formal.  I don't know if I am right or not, but that is what I am used to.

• 75% of you call your fizzy beverage "pop" and the other 25% call it soda.

I have always called it pop, but I have heard that if you go to a certain area in the States and ask for a 'pop' that you might get punched in the face.  I say we break even and call it a soft drink.  Any one with me?  Check out this map.  Some people must have a lot of time on their hands to actually research this.  Impressive.

• When it comes to spray butter and squeezable jelly 100% of you seem to think it's convenient and not lazy.  And 75% of you purchase these products.

I love me some spray butter, especially when I am feeling lazy and don't want to dirty a knife to spread the regular butter.  But then again, I purchase sticks of butter, a tub of butter, and spray butter, each for different uses.  And I just bought my first jar of squeezable jelly, but I still can't get over the idea of not spreading it with a knife, so it's pretty useless, except I don't have to worry about this ever happening. 

• And finally 75% of you put your right sock on first.  The other 25% don't really notice or think I am insane for posing this question.  I may have to agree with you.  Who really cares?

This was interesting and I thank the 4 of you for your input and playing along (you made the statistics part a no brainer for me and for that I am forever grateful!)  I have another set of questions in the works so be ready to post your input.  I look forward to these really important topics!

You tell me

I have some important questions that I have been pondering in my head.  I want to know how the majority of people do the following things.  Please leave your comments and in the next few days I'll compare my answers to yours.

1) Do you dry your feet and/or body before stepping out of the shower or after?

2) Do you place your clean drinking cups upside down or right side up when putting them away?

3) Do you use the word cabinet or cupboard?

4) Do you use the word dinner or supper?

5) Do you use the word soda or pop?

6) Do you think spray butter and squeezable jelly is considered being lazy or convenience and do you buy either?

7) What foot do you put your sock on first, left or right?

Inquiring minds want to know so humor me, would ya?

"My Mom"

Today I decided to participate in a "meme" that I saw on Facebook.  I have chosen to ask each of my boys the following questions about me and write down their exact responses.  I interviewed them each separately so they wouldn't copy each others answers even though a few of them had the same responses.  This ought to be good.  If you decide to play along, leave me a comment and let me know. 

And just a reminder:

Luke is 3 

Carson is 6 

Taylor is 11

(And you will see my comments in italics and parenthesis.)

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Luke - "I love you."

Carson - "I love you."

Taylor - "Stop it!"

2. What makes mom happy?

Luke - When I say "I love you."

Carson - When I dry the table and do good stuff.

Taylor - wine (smart kid)

3. What makes mom sad?

Luke - When I say "I hate you."

Carson - When I say "Shut up."

Taylor - When the Biggest Loser is over.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Luke - When you wear your sunglasses (Say what?)

Carson - Telling funny jokes

Taylor - By tickling me

5. What was your mom like as a child?

Luke - played toys

Carson - you didn't look like my mom anymore (Maybe a smaller version)

Taylor - sporty

6. How old is your mom?

Luke - eleven (not possible)

Carson - twenty-four (I love you - you can have cookies for dinner)

Taylor - 30 (oh so close)

7. How tall is your mom?

Luke - big (you're grounded)

Carson - about 30 feet long

Taylor - 5 ft. 4 in. 

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Luke - read stories to me

Carson - play bunco

Taylor - workout, drink wine, play bunco

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

Luke - driving

Carson - usually clean the house

Taylor - works out and blogs

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Luke - being the oldest (nice Luke, way to make me feel good.)

Carson - cause you might look good (I hate to play favorites, but so far he's in the running)

Taylor - a fitness person

11. What is your mom really good at?

Luke - working out

Carson - making dinner

Taylor - gymnastics

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Luke - making hot dogs (Huh? What did Carson just say in #11?)

Carson - beating me at the matching game

Taylor - pitching in baseball

13. What does your mom do for her job?

Luke - go on the computer and work (now if I only got paid for it!)

Carson - nothing

Taylor - watches me, Carson and Luke

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

Luke - chicken

Carson - capers (which he pronounced vipers)

Taylor - enchiladas

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Luke - eating all my dinner

Carson - for giving me ice cream

Taylor - this is going to take awhile . . . . everything! (looks like we've got another contestant in the running for favorites!)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Luke - American Idol, but I'd miss you

Carson - a cowgirl

Taylor - Sandy the squirrel because she's from Texas (I've never even been to Texas)

17. What do you and your mom do together?

Luke - hugs (and he proceeded to give me a big one!)

Carson - wait for my bus

Taylor - go see dogs

18. How are you and your mom the same?

Luke - we live far away from our friends (what an impressive answer for a 3 year old!)

Carson - we both live in the same house

Taylor - we're in the same family

19. How are you and your mom different?

Luke - I'm 3 and you're 11 (at least he's consistent)

Carson - she's a girl and I'm a boy

Taylor - she's a girl

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Luke - cause

Carson - because your special to me

Taylor - because she takes care of me

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

Luke - to work out at the gym

Carson - Kohl's

Taylor - the gym

Entertainment

I guess I am easily entertained because I found this video to be hilarious.  I hope you enjoy it as well.

Did you spring ahead?

Or did you forget to change your clocks like I did until this morning?  

I don't particularly like the fact that we lost an hour with the time change, but I do love that this is just another step towards spring and warmer weather.  

The last few days have been gorgeous and the kids have definitely been taking advantage of the unseasonable temperatures and basically have been living outside.   Late last night the cold rain came in and has been soaking us all day along with the shoes and socks that were left outside.  Ugh!

One of my dearest friends and her two kids came to visit us this weekend and we had such a great time hanging out.  The time she got to spend here with us made me realize how much I totally miss her.  

I was able to share with her and see her experience a few firsts that included Chipotle and The Cheesecake Factory.  We also bought a few bottles of wine that we had never had before and had our own mini wine tasting evening.  Mostly we just sat around, watched the kids play endlessly and enjoyed each others presence and conversation.  I cherished every moment she was here and when it was time for them to leave this morning I felt a rush of sadness as I embraced her before she left.  Great friends like her are far and few, but when you find one you know you have found a true gem.  

Love you Amanda!

Of all the places

The kids each have their own Nintendo DS which has been a life saver on trips back to Indiana.  They have also been great for using them as a way to get the kids to do something they don't want to do.  For example, the kids are playing outside and it's time to come in for dinner.  They get upset and fight me.  So I say you either come inside now, or I take your DS away for a week.  (I'm such a meanie!)  For the most part the threats work because the kids love to play their video games.  

On our last trip to Indiana in January all 3 boys had their DS's, but the week following Taylor couldn't find his.  That did not surprise me much at all.  He always seems to be misplacing things and asking me where they are as if I would wear his shoes or his backpack, etc.  So of course he asked me if I knew where his DS was.  Hmm, last time I played it.... No Taylor, I do not play your DS, therefore, I do not know where you put it last.  I told him to retrace his steps and try to recall when and where the last time he had played it.  No luck.  

I asked his brothers if maybe they had seen it around the house since they've been known to swap and play each others DS.  But, they were no help either.  We pretty much gave up looking and gave up hope that we'd find it.  

That was until today.

I decided to do a little rearranging of decorations I have throughout the house.  I went to put a glass jar up above the cabinets which required me to stand up on the counter and notice all the dust on top which is going to remain up there until the dusting fairy arrives.  And what did my eyes behold - you guessed it - Taylor's DS.  I am guessing he put it up there to hide it from his brothers who would no way ever guess to look in that spot nonetheless reach it.  

The only problem with that hiding spot is that it was so good, Taylor forgot about it as well.  

Church food

I was baffled the other day when Luke came up to me saying he was hungry and wanted 'church food.'

"Church food, what is that?" I asked Luke throwing out options that I guessed may be some kind of snack they gave the kids.

"Goldfish?"  

No.

"Graham crackers?"

No.

"Cheese stick?"

No.

"Vanilla wafers."

No.

What the heck would be considered church food? I wondered.  So I asked Luke if we had church food in our house and if he would show me.  He took my hand, walked me to the refrigerator, opened the door and pointed to the top shelf.  

"That momma, church food, up there."

On the top shelf were eggs, yogurt, sticks of butter, and a casserole dish.  

"Ah-ha!  I got it now, you want a yogurt, right Luke?"

"NO! I want THAT church food!" he demanded.

Finally, I realized what on God's earth he was talking about.  I had made a cinnamon roll french toast dish for bible study on Wednesday and there were a few pieces left.  I told the kids they couldn't have any unless there were leftovers because it was for church - hence the 'church food' classification.  

Luckily, he got his wish and was a happy boy. He just brought a whole other meaning to the phrase 'soul food'. 

"Church Food"

(a.k.a. Cinnamon French Toast Bake)

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing (12.4 oz each)
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup half and half (or heavy whipping cream)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 cup syrup

Heat oven to 375.  Pour melted butter into ungreased 13x9 glass baking dish.  Separate each can of dough into 8 rolls (set icing aside). Cut each roll into 8 pieces; place pieces over butter in dish.

In medium bowl with wire whisk, beat eggs. Beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well blended. Gently pour over roll pieces. Sprinkle with pecans (optional), drizzle with 1 cup syrup.

Bake uncovered for 20 - 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

Microwave icing (10 - 15 sec) or until drizzling consistency.

Drizzle icing over top.

Can't get enough

Last year I made a compilation CD which included some of my favorite 80's songs.  I thoroughly enjoyed living in the 80's and if there was ever any time I would want to go back and live in it would be that era.  I have such great memories of my childhood and these songs just make me feel good.  

Last night while I was "alone" making dinner (hubby was at work, kids were downstairs playing) I popped in my CD and cranked it up and just had this awesome sensation overcome me.  I felt so alive and happy.  I was dancing around and singing to my heart's content.  That was until my oldest son came in and gave me a look of "your so uncool and embarrassing Mother".  That look alone made me feel old, but it didn't put a damper on my mood.  I was jamming out and reliving my youth.  And it felt great.  

I have posted the majority of my favorites on the music player below so you too can enjoy the 80's experience.  

Do tell, what is one of your all-time favorite 80's songs.  I would love to know.

Works for me Wednesday - Gift Card Solution

Today's tip is about those abandoned gift cards that are sitting around in your wallet collecting dust.  You know the one's I am talking about.  Those with balances under $5 that you will most likely never use again.  

Well instead of letting the bank slowly drain the fees right out of them or they go dormant, why not donate them to a worthy cause of your choice.  

This is exactly what I have done with a few that have been in my wallet for 2 years way too long.

I did a google search for ways I could donate my old gift cards and found this site.  It was very easy to create an account, add my card information online, print out the form, and mail my old cards to the company.  And the best part was that I could choose which charity I wanted a percentage of the card to go to.  What a great opportunity - plus there could be tax write-off benefits, not much if you have a small balance, but every bit adds up.

(Another cool thing about this site is that you can purchase gift cards at a discount.  I have not done this yet, but I am sure I will check it out when the need arises.)

So don't let those cards dwindle away in your wallet - give them up for a good cause!

That works for me.  For other WFMW tips click here.