Tackle Box 1st Aid Kit

When I met my husband he had this tackle box in his apartment bathroom. I thought it was a pretty clever way to organize his 1st aid things. I'm pretty sure his mommy made it for him. It reminds me of the Caboodle make-up cases we had back in the 80's. 

Being the organizational nut that I am as well as a mother whom also enjoyed fishing I was kind of surprised that I had not thought of this one myself!

The compartments for the lure's is the perfect size for band aids. The bottom section is deep enough for tape, and ointments, and the open top shelf is just a random mix of salve, finger cots, and larger band aids. 

It's just one of those small little things in our home that makes life easier. Everyone knows where the band-aids are. They are easy to access, and it is easy to see when they need replenished. 

Boundaries, and Taking Back The Master Bath!

I think that the struggle to define boundaries is one of those universal parenting challenges. Not only do we struggle with where to draw a line with our children, society has it's own set of opinions on where those lines should be.

One of the lines that I feel I let be stretched too far is the use of our Master Bath. When the kids were little they had a hard time getting in and out of the tub in the main bath. The Master had a stand up shower and it was just...easier. They also preferred the shower head in the Master bath. I was okay with this because frankly...I didn't care to share a bathroom with my husband. Boys are gross! I gladly took over the main bath with the generous storage and more square footage.

I was reading The Love Dare and somewhere along the way I realized that we should probably be sharing spaces whenever possible and that we should probably have more privacy now that the kids are older. So...I told the kids they had to start using the main bath and that they could only use the Master toilet if the main bath was occupied.

They, for the most part, have cooperated.

Since that battle was over I started seeing other boundaries that at ages 5 to 15, should not longer need to be crossed. I can't use the restroom much less shower without someone coming to talk to me, and more often than not barging in on a closed door when I am otherwise indisposed.

Today I was enjoying a late morning shower. I was deep into massaging my scalp and 50 lbs of hair when our youngest son, age 6, comes to the door. He starts speaking to me through the door. I cannot understand him between the closed door and the shower running. So...you know what ensued. Five minutes of

"What honey?"

"Bwah bwah bwah bwah bwah" (sounding like Charlie Brown's teacher from Peanuts.)

"Honey, I can't hear you."

"Bwah bwah bwah bwah bwah"

"I cannot hear you son. You are going to have to speak louder."

"UGH!!! Bwah bwah bwah bwah bwah"

"Oh for crying out loud! Just open the door and come in here so I can hear you!"

"Do you know my password for Club Penguin?"

"...are you freakin' kidding me right now? I don't know. I will have to call daddy when I get out of the shower to ask him. Now please get out of the bathroom!"

As I was drying off I hear my son say "Mom. Your coffee cup is upside down on your bed." and as I ran into my bedroom I see that my travel mug of coffee was indeed upside down on my bed. As I grabbed it the coffee poured out.

Thank God I literally bought a waterproof mattress cover just 2 days ago because I have no idea how you clean this new memory foam mattress that we just bought. I ripped the towel off of my body to blot the spot. I'm not taking any waterproof chances if I don't have to! As I ripped the sheet and mattress cover off of the bed I was naked and reprimanding my youngest because clearly he had been bouncing on MY bed while I finished my shower and knocked my coffee off of my Cozy laptop tray in the process.

I'll admit it was a rookie mistake to leave that coffee in the tray on my bed. How naive of me to assume that a rambunctious little boy wouldn't dive bomb my bed while I was showering.

So. After today's shower I gathered up all of the childrens and we had a talk. I reminded them that being a mom is a tough job. They agreed. I told them that on some days the shower I take is the only time I have alone, and explained that I need that time to relax, process the days events, and just be as alone as I can be for the moment. They seemed to understand.

We also revisited the "If it is a closed door, you knock and wait for permission to enter" conversation. Since my youngest just got a full on nude shot of mom frantically stripping the bed, and I had the realization that all of them had barged in on my nudity recently I felt that the reminder must be needed. Again!

I told them that from now on no one is to interrupt mom when she is showering unless it is about a phone call, someone at the door, or someone is hurt...and we aren't talking about scratches and minor bumbs that can wait 10 minutes. They all agreed that this was a reasonable request.

Sometimes you just have to stop and take a look at the things that are no longer working in your life. 4 years ago this was a non issue. It was what worked for our family. Today it is no longer working. I'm glad that we were able to discuss it and hopefully mom can have some peaceful showers in the near future that don't involve video game passwords, and tattling. Ha!

It's funny how we let ourselves come undone about these things, as mothers, and don't immediately recognize that it doesn't have to be this way.

So...my advice to new parents is to remember that it's okay to change the rules in this game. You have to do what works for your family and if mamma's not happy, ain't nobody happy!

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

There is nothing healthy about this meal. In fact it is everything that is wrong with our diet in America. I'm almost embarrassed to be sharing this recipe. It's processed, it's not fresh, it's not local, and it's probably not half real food.

I'm a mom of 4
I work outside of the home.
Sometimes life is what it is.

Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:
1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, pork, chicken...whatever you like!) cooked & drained
1 can Chili ready beans
1 can Chili ready tomatoes
1lb bags tater tots
1 can Fiesta Nacho cheese soup (Or use cheddar for less heat!)
1 can cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup
1 cups milk

Directions: Brown meat, and place in large casserole dish. Cover with frozen tater tots. Mix milk, both soups, beans, and tomatoes.. Pour over top of the entire pan.

Bake at 350 for 1 Hour. I only cook mine for 45 minutes because my boys don't grasp the concept of hot. They are sure that they will die before their food cools off.

*Makes  a 9”X13” pans (about 8 servings)

I usually mix the soup and milk first to get that incorporated before I add the beans and tomatoes.

Sometimes we top it with shredded cheddar cheese, diced white onion, and slices of Jalapeno too.

Enjoy!

The things you learn at the gym

I was at Zumba class tonight and had a ton of things on my mind. I'd been really torn about some friendships that I had been holding onto as well as some groups that I just felt that I no longer belonged to. I thought that maybe I could just take a step back and avoid participating in the group and see how it went. I knew that this would be too much of a challenge for me.

Here's the thing. Facebook is a wonderful tool when it is used responsibly. If you let it become your whole world you will no doubt find yourself wondering where hours of your day went.

We're buying a new house which will need to be remodeled once we close. We will be moving again. School is starting in 4 weeks. Cross Country season is already underway. Busy, busy, busy, busy.

With 4 kids, a husband, and 2 dogs...my life is pretty full. I don't have enough time in the day as it is. I figure that anything I do beyond the care of myself and my loved ones should really be worthy of my time. It is my most precious commodity, right?

So, as Zumba class ended our instructor said some words about resolutions, and how it is almost half way through 2012 and she asked had any of us obtained our goals. She then said that maybe this isn't for you.

She said if you do something over and over again you get used to it and you stop seeing results that it may be time to find something new to challenge you.

That is precisely what I need to do. I need to separate myself from some groups. I need to take back the time I normally dedicate to these groups. These groups are not helping me achieve my highest heights right now. I need to dedicate that time to something that challenges me. Like relaxing!!!

I will miss my groups, and those mommy wars from time to time but I look forward to the growth that all of that free time may afford me!

Giant Microbes!

We had our weekly visit to The Children's Museum so the kids could climb the rock wall. Aiden graduated to the intermediate wall and found it to be quite the challenge!

 We don't usually visit the gift shop but Aiden had birthday money burning a hole in his pocked and he wanted to buy a Lego Lantern so we went in to check those out.

The kids found bins of stuffed creatures that we found were actually diseases and microbes. Ummm...kind of disturbing if you ask me but to each his own. Ha!

 Mono looks cute enough but I hear it can be a real pain in the neck...

 E. Coli does not look very pleasant and I wouldn't want him swimming around in my lower intestine, for sure!

I guess these guys would be a great teaching tool but I'm not sure that I would want them in our toy box. 

I've been horrible about posting anything here so....here's to another start. Oye!

Reasonably Dining Out

I am a dining out failure. I have zero portion control. I'm like the honey badger, man! I just takes what I wants! In all seriousness though I used to have myself trained to know what I could have BEFORE I went to a restaurant and I knew what I would drink, and I adjusted my activity levels and calorie intake that day with the expectation that I was eating out.

These days...Oh girl just doesn't care! I have got to get a system in place for dining out. I went to Qdoba with my husband for lunch. I ordered a burrito. The Angus Steak 3 cheese queso (which, by the way, makes no sense! 3 cheese cheese?) and I was looking at the nutritional menu they had so responsibly placed at the front of the store which I so irresponsibly chose to read after I had finished my burrito as big as my head. Guess what? 1,250 calories. My entire days calorie intake in one freaking burrito. Are you kidding me? It really should be illegal to sell such a portion. I think the government just might need to put out some regulations to protect stupid. Like...if my fat ass really wants 1,250 calories worth of burrito I should have to order 3. I'm just sayin'.

I should have only eaten half of it and in reality...even half of it was way more calories than I should eat for lunch. That's a dinner!

So, the next time I visit Qdoba I will have a Naked burrito with pulled pork (which is surprisingly less calories than beef or chicken), with pinto beans, 3 cheese-cheese, pico de gallo, and lettuce for just 400 calories, and a water to drink.

In my defense I had just finished Zumba 500. 2 hours of straight Zumba will make a girl think she needs to eat a whole cow!

So...I am going to work on making myself a list of restaurants I frequent in my travels, and choose one or two menu options and find out the calories and keep that list on me at all times. I may even make a copy of it for my cell phone so I really ALWAYS have it until I memorize it.

I know for breakfast at McDonalds the only thing I can really have and feel satisfied is the Egg McMuffin. At 300 calories it is a good calorie range and not too awful in fat.

A hamburger is 250 calories.

A Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich is 350 calories.

A side salad is 20 calories, a Premium Caesar Salad is 90 calories, and the new tiny bags of apples are just 15 calories.

A small fry is 230 calories. Have you SEEN their "new" small fry? It's the tiniest fast food french fry portion you will ever see and yet it is still 230 calories. Ridiculous. Just say no to fries!

The snack wraps are 250-270 calories, but I really don't feel like they are as filling as a hamburger. They might be a better option as far as carbs and fat are concerned but if I dont' feel satisfied I will eat more sooner rather than later!

4 Chicken nuggets are 190 calories, 6 are 280 calories and yes, I am well aware of what they are made of. My fat ass really doesn't care, They are delicious chicken pieces parts. Unhealthy as they may be. Gross as they may be. Yum!

So, for McDonalds my best bet for Breakfast is an Egg McMuffin and a black coffee at around 300 calories. For lunch I should opt for the hamburger, side salad, apples, and an iced tea at around 285 calories for a lunch and a decent dinner could be a Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich, a side Caesar salad, apples, and an unsweet iced tea at around 455 calories. I never eat fast food 3 times a day so this would just be one of the above per day.

I know it is possible to eat fast food and stay on target. I have traveled for my job for 6 years and have managed to stay on target before while eating out. I just need to get back to setting limits and adjusting my day accordingly.

I am sure that once we close on the new house, and get settled in it will be more feasible for me to pack my snacks and I really do better at calculating my foods at the start of my day so...just 6 more weeks or so and hopefully I can see some results by Christmas! Ha!

Painting the house

We are painting the rental house to prep for listing it this summer. I am hoping to have it 100% ready when we move out so we don't have to come back for projects here and there. We have a few pieces of siding to replace, and then the scraping, and caulking, and the power washing. It's a lot of work but we will save a ton of money by doing it ourselves.

My goal is to have it done by the end of May. This was the 1st weekend and we got the front 98% completed. We still have 1 trim board to replace, and I need a 2nd coat of paint on the deck.

Here are some pics from this weekend's progress.

This is a close up of the front entry before and after

This is the front of the house near finished!

So, what do you think? I'm pretty happy with it. I may add a few things if time permits. I'd like to do the trim around the garage door in that dark brown and also the window trim or perhaps add shutters to the window to carry out the brown to each side. For now it is greatly improved!