In the meantime, some light, randomness of my life ensues...
I recently started dabbling in the world of loose leaf tea and am quickly becoming an addict. I started stalking Teaopia's website and finally made the trip to the Ghetto Mall, risking my chances of being mugged or stabbed. I got in and out as quickly as possible, not making eye contact with anyone. I scored myself a bag of "Slim and Slender", "Mate Citrus Buzz", "Organic Dandelion Leaf" (which sounds and tastes nasty but has some fantastic health benefits) and, as pictured below, some "Love Spell". I can't wait to get back in there to pick up some more teas and have been sharpening my shiv every night in anticipation of another trip to Ghetto Mall.
I have heard people talk about mashed cauliflower in place of mashed potatoes and will readily admit that I snubbed the idea. I couldn't imagine that it could be anything good. Then one day my dear friend Shannon made it and raved. She gave me step by step instructions on how to make it and so, being curious, I did. Ummmm... I LOVE it! Low calorie, great tasting, very comforting and very reasonable substitute to mashed potatoes. It's fitting perfectly into my diet and lifestyle and even my husband readily eats it. I have started stocking up on cauliflower heads at every trip to the grocery store! Have you tried it? You should. Don't be afraid!
Along the same vein of trying new things, I bought a couple of portabella mushrooms recently. Unsure really what to do with them, I decided one night to stuff them (well, top them is more accurate) a la pizza. You're obviously not getting the bready crust like you would from pizza dough, but this was so delicious and satisfying and a big treat for me. It was healthy and low cal and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My other favorite (when I have time to whip it up), is my egg white veggie omelet. So delicious. Always best when I have a bit of goat cheese to throw in...
Last weekend we got brave and took the kids out for the day. We ate in a restaurant as a family for the first time since the "I want my REAL mom and dad" incident. I was very pleased with the outcome. Nobody cried or screamed or poured water over everything. Nobody in the restaurant even looked like they wanted to report us to the police or child welfare services. Still, I left a large tip to cover the cleanup of the excessive sushi rice we left on the floor under our table. Outside the restaurant, the kids were mesmerized by this fountain. It was cute until Ruby sunk her arms in up to her elbows with her coat on. Lincoln declared, "MESS!!"
Since we had a later, larger lunch than usual on Saturday, we decided to just have nibbles for dinner - which I revised into a mini wine and cheese party. The kind where my only guests are my toddlers and my husband - none of whom actually drank the wine. *ahem*
Lincoln dove right into the buffet but quickly realized that he does not care for Applewood Smoked Cheddar. That's OK, it's my favorite. More for me.
In other news, we had a bit of sunshine a week or two ago (been so long I can't remember exactly when it was). But I jumped on the opportunity to get the kids out for a stroller walk. I bundled them up since just because it was sunny doesn't mean it was warm and we didn't want to catch hypothermia. Ruby also insisted on wearing sunglasses. And whatever she wants to do, Linc wants to do. Except I didn't have any sunglasses for him so I dug up an old baby pair of glasses with the stretchy strap to hold them on. He was pleased as punch to wear them and refused to take them off. I recently went out and bought him a real pair of little boy sunglasses since during our walk, some woman asked if he was wearing swimming goggles...
We did end up getting Lincoln's big boy bed all set up and he's now happily sleeping in it every night. Our problem now is that his dad takes him to bed and then since he fits in the bed, he conveniently falls asleep in there with him. At 8pm. Every night.
As for Ruby's sleeping habits, they're still shaky at best. Pretty hit and miss for her sleeping through the night in her own bed. Saturday morning I thought I might get to sleep in but here is the reason I did not...
Ruby's current obsession is my iPhone. She was so interested in it that I downloaded a little storybook app for her to watch to try to keep her entertained for a few minutes. Apparently she lost interest in the storybook quite some time ago and has educated herself on how to use the camera function. Sometimes I don't even know she's lifted my phone, used it and returned it to where I had it. Until I go into the phone and find a picture like this...
If she's going to be a sneaky thief, I'm at least glad she's not a very good one.
I also found the following picture on my phone - which at first I thought was just the toddler's eye view of a toy laying in the hallway. Days later, she pointed out that that toy on the floor is actually Lincoln throwing a tantrum... Look close...
One photo she took, was of this beautiful throw, made and sent to us by our beloved Auntie Corney. I love that Ruby took such a neat picture of it...
Speaking of talented artists, I got my tax return back and my HUSBAND, of all people, suggested maybe I spend some of it by working on finally getting my sleeve finished. He had barely uttered the words and I had made an appointment with "my guy". Nothing makes you feel guilt like investing your money on self pain and tattoo ink...
And after running around all hellish day long, stressed to shit, I took this shot of myself when I finally sat down one evening. I realize I look somewhat worried or scared. I think that's my natural look now. Always waiting for the next bomb to drop. I put a black and white filter on it because that is the best way to hide black circles, wrinkles, sagging skin and grey hair.
















