i have some good news and .......that's it

Prior to the last presidential election I was a news and current events junkie. But, by last summer I couldn't take all the negativity and carrying on that was called "news". All the information really started to effect my mood and not in a positive way. I would get all wound up, rant and rave and then ruminate all day long over what I heard on the morning news shows. One of the goals that I have for my blog is to keep all the posts positive. There have been times that I have been truly overwhelmed with grumpiness and writing about positive things helped pull my mood out of muck. So, I lived in a information bubble and was fine with my willful ignorance. I have started to watch the news and read about current events slowly but today I found this website, gimundo.com, that only reports "good news....served daily". I think Gimundo, along with, the new season of "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" and "Flipping Out" should keep me on a natural high for a while.

something's fishy

My goal this weekend was to limit going out to eat (including drive thru/fast food), it all sounds like a good idea in theory. Today I made my new favorite cheap sandwich, peanut butter and honey with whole grain bread, chunky peanut butter and orange blossom honey. The honey is sweet but not overwhelming like jam or jelly.

Then I had a vacuum sealed packet of white, chunk tuna with shredded cheese and sun dried tomatoes (similar to a suggested recipe on the back of the tuna packet). I thought that I was doing pretty well with my choices, they were healthy and cheap. Yeah great thinking, except there must be some type of horrendous chemical reaction that happens when peanut butter and tuna are combined. Before I was done eating the tuna, I started feeling hot and queasy. Now my body aches and I am awaiting the third and most dramatic wave of symptoms.

One thing is for sure, it wasn't the peanut butter and honey sandwich. Maybe the tuna was good too and I have a summer flu. Only time will tell, among other things.

state of emergency

It is after 1 a.m. and I really and truly want chocolate. If this goes on much longer I don't think I can be held responsible for my actions. I don't have any chocolate on hand because I didn't buy any. This type of emergency occurs quite often, it's a measure of self sabotage/control. Tonight, my craving is quite specific. See's Candy, dark chocolate covered English walnuts. I could eat them by the vat. (Which is why I don't have any here.) But there is good news, I can order a custom assortment from See's Candy website. Oh joy! The bad news is they don't have a delivery time line like Domino's pizza. (Wouldn't that be a great idea? A candy home delivery service? Or how about a grown up ice cream truck, that would serve gelato and custom mixed ice cream?)

let's chat in the hat

I am not a bar or club person and never have been. I really don't like to dance; I truly believe that people are watching (as well as, capturing all my awkwardness on their iPhones ready to upload to youtube) and giggling at my lead-foot, lumbering dance"moves".

I like tasty food (fancy isn't required) and a fun dining environment. I prefer a place where occasional loud laughter doesn't cause anyone to turn around and stare. Not at me, of course, I am talking completely hypothetically and about my "friend". It is better that I stay seated, eat and try to contain my "friend's" laughter.

Henry's Hat might be my dream come true, yummy, affordable food and a "game menu" that I can order board games to play at my table. (there is a bar with numerous televisions for people who wish to partake) The only thing I can see might be a problem, in looking at the pictures, is that there doesn't look to be to a lot of comfortable seating. I am willing to sacrifice myself to find out.

(photo credit)

(s)parks of insanity

California has 279 state parks, reserves and beaches; 220 of which the state is planning on shutting down because of the budget crisis. The savings would be less that 1% of the state budget and only consider the parks operational costs. What about the ranger and maintenance jobs that would be lost? (more people receiving unemployment and less payroll taxes collected for the state) The school field trips that would be canceled due to lack of destination? Possible store and restaurant closures that would happen because the proprietors rely on traffic to and from the parks for customers. (more job loss, unemployment recipients, less payroll taxes collected and it ripples outward in the local communities from there) Annual festivals held at these parks that would come to a halt. (example: The Poppy Festival at the Poppy Reserve in Lancaster.)

Outside of all the monetary arguments that seem to prove closure of the parks as illogical the unquantifiable arguments are even more convincing . The joy that these areas provide to the citizens and in difficult economic times these places provide very low cost getaways for families. Many of these locations are also near larger urban areas and offer children who are accustomed to their concrete jungle neighborhoods exposure to the beauty of nature. (In my own case I would like to suggest that mothers have destinations for temporary breaks in order to collect their thoughts and restore their sanity. I think that motherly happiness is reason enough. After all when I am happy the whole world sings. No?)

I wonder if the legislators are also cutting their per diem rates, state paid for car allowances and taking pay cuts?

links:

LA Times Article: Proposed State Parks Closure List is Not for the Faint of Heart
CA State Parks Foundation: Proposed List of State Park Closures

(picture credit)

rock & ruffle

One more stretchy pant day option. Comfortable and casual but not frumpy and dumpy.


1. agate cuff
2. ruffle cardigan
3. lightweight trousers

i scream

Today is National Ice Cream Day, finally a seemingly meaningless holiday that I can get behind. I had a mini breakdown in the midst of my very important holiday preparations when I visited my local grocery store to find my new favorite ice cream flavor (that I purchased from this same store), Haagen-Dazs Carmelized Pear and Toasted Pecan. Words cannot capture how wonderful this flavor is and with one of the named ingredients being a fruit my children won't touch it, leaving it all for me to enjoy at my leisure. But, for some reason I couldn't find a pint at it's assigned spot or anywhere in the freezer section. I don't understand. This is surely a signal of the decline of western civilization as we know it. So, I stormed home and went to the Haagen-Dazs website where I performed a search for my favorite flavor of ice cream. (They can tell you what store in your area has the flavor that you are searching for). After an extensive search there isn't a spoonful in a 10 mile radius. (HD did suggest other flavors that I might like.) There is hope, a shipment of my favorite flavor was delivered to three stores near my office building. Also, to avoid future traumatic events HD will notification emails when shipments of my favored flavor are recieved at stores in my area.

If I am able to pull myself together I can go to Milk in the city (Los Angeles) and get a free scoop, in a cone or cup, if I say "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream". That is a little too much carrying on and attention than I am willing to go through for one scoop. I might just wait to complete my quest after work on Monday and quietly enjoy my treasure in the privacy of my home.

just a little corny

The term "junk food" doesn't mean that food isn't really delicious or that it can't be made with healthier ingredients and still taste good.

recipe: baked mini corn dogs

nearly national velvet

I suppose if I liked horses this outfit would make more sense. It is an inch away from being a costume for a indie film remake of "National Velvet". Whatever I think it's cute and really like the mix of masculine and feminine elements in this outfit. (note: skinny jeans required - a tunic is not a dress)

1.mauve scarf
2.wool plaid jacket
3.pin tucked tunic
4.super cute knee high boots

It's sort of like......

It seems like after so long I look at the same things, eat the same things and go to the same places. Sometimes it is ok because I like everything enough to make it a habit. Other times it would be nice to do something new. The website sortuv.com (although still in it's beta version) is awesome. You type in a place, restaurant, store, etc. that you like and it will find other places that are similar or that match your tastes. I want some change but not that much. (You can also add it as an app on your iphone) It's sortuv cool.

ring, round and rosey

This looks really comfortable especially on a "salt-bloat stretchy pants" day. There are days that I wake up and it is like my body has absorbed all the moisture in the air overnight and I feel like a puffer fish for the rest of the day. I have to drink gallons of water and ideally wear comfortable clothes during the deflation period. Anything tight just prolongs my pudgy purgatory or so it seems.

1. poet's tunic
2. red leather rose ring
3. slim jeans
4. flower sandals

help me, help you, help me

After staying at home with my children for 7+ years and doing all the "magic elf" work. The "magic elves" I speak of, are from Grimm's Fairy Tales, "The Elves and the Shoemaker" about a cobbler who would wake up every morning to wonderful, perfect shoes would have been made. By who? The magic elves. When I was a full time homemaker I felt like an elf (except I didn't work in the nude, unlike the elves in the tale). I was doing all this "stuff" that nobody really registered I was doing; there was food available, toilet paper stockpiled, requests filled, needs anticipated but it all just magically happened somehow. Everyone was happy, then oh no, I went back to work. The standard of living that my family was used to has come to a halt. I just don't have the time to do everything I used to do. My husband is doing some of the basics but it is time for "those people" (the children) to put on aprons. A few months ago, I gave each of "them" a chore list and left the completion schedule up to them. From what they tell me, they are not able to fit chores in with playing, television and harassing each other. But I may have found their kryptonite. The website Chorebusters.net will automatically generate a "fair" chore schedule that lists names, chores by level of difficulty, desirability and completion frequency, then will email the schedule to me daily or weekly. Fair and efficient.

After the kids have it together, the dogs are next. I wonder if I can train them to do their "business" directly into the Doggie Dooley or at least near it. The Doggie Dooley is a septic contraption that the dogs "business" is put in, eliminating bags of "business" and stinky trash cans. The possibilities are endless.

just add water

I have been so puffy this week or at least, puffier than usual. I put on my fat jeans and it was even more disappointing than usual. It looked like all the circulation to my lower extremities was being totally cut off. To help, I put on a pair of spanx and nearly crushed all my internal organs. I shimmied over to the scale and I saw that I had lost a few pounds since the last time I checked. I didn't understand what was happening until I peered through my tear filled eyes at the calendar and registered what was going on. Apparently through osmosis I was able to pull all the moisture out of the air and retain it under my skin. So for maximum comfort and ideal blood circulation I went off to work in a dress that was loose and flowey. (Although, my friend was kind enough to let me know I looked like giant baby.)

Perhaps I have an answer for the future with this outfit. It is all black; so chic and slimming. The addition of the necklace will draw the eye upward and away from my water balloon body. Also, the pants have some much appreciated stretching ability. That is all I can ask for during such hard times.

1. mother of pearl necklace
2. tipping scales shirt (that's the real name of the shirt - so irritating)
3. bit of stretch capri

always bring a banana to a party

I was a guest at a gathering where bananas with chocolate syrup and peanut pieces were served as the dessert. When I was handed this "dessert banana" I nicely thanked them but was screaming on the inside, "What the hell? Whose tick-tacky cheapo dessert idea was this? Why even bother?" But it had chocolate syrup poured over it and I was out of options so I tried a little bit. You know, desperate times. But it was wonderful, an orchestra in my mouth. Who knew? Plus it's healthy and inexpensive. You really can't ask for more, unless you're asking for seconds.


Recipe:
choco banana pops

(The bananas that I make are simply peeled bananas with chocolate syrup poured and peanut pieces sprinkled over it; no freezing. This recipe is a little but fancier and surely party worthy.)

i'll hit an old man in public!

Just kidding, it's a quote from "The Hangover". On second thought, don't push me, Grampies!

1. mj aviator glasses

2. black tank top


3. gray leather jacket


4. gray skinny jeans

have fork, will travel

TastingTable.com sends a free daily email that delivers information about local food and drink culture. In the Los Angeles edition, alerts tell of must-try dishes at forgotten restaurants, new bars that deserve buzz and under-appreciated neighborhood cook/food shops that might otherwise go unnoticed. (So far the only cities that are covered are Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. San Francisco will be added soon.)

TastingTable.com can only help with the two most important questions of the day, "What's for lunch?" and "What's for dinner?" TastingTable.com is supposed to be thought of as a food-obsessed coworker who knows where to find the best $2 tacos and which $200 tasting menu is worth the splurge. Since my friends/co-workers and I start to think about the next day's lunch while eating the current day's lunch, I believe this tool will make us much more efficient. Knowledge is power after all.

here comes trouble

1. asymmetrical sweater

2. leather bauble bracelet

3. l.a.m.b. heels

fancy feet

I really don't like going to get pedicures. The few times that I have had a professional pedicure I leave feeling like I could have done the same or better job at home. I am sure that the pedicurist has seen many feet worse than mine but for some reason I believe that my hooves are so noteworthy that they are bound to be the topic of conversations after I leave.

To avoid my paranoia induced panic attacks, I have a little pedicure kit that I use at home. I can spruce my toes up at midnight if I want. I have all the colors that I love on tap and I don't have to share. My friend was kind enough to point out that I really like two different nail polish color schemes, very dark (purples or deep burgundies) or as she puts it "the color of skin". Funny but true. However, I have branched out and now have a lovely gray polish.
1. pedicure kit
2. jellybath foot soak

3. cuticle oil

4. nail polish

I am so hungry I could eat my shirt!

Herbivore. Carnivore. Omnivore. I have been all of these singularly or collectively at one time or another. I am sure when I say polyvore one might think that I am going to talk about something related to food. If so, one would be "moded corroded, one's mama's butt exploded". (Hopefully this saying wasn't limited to my elementary school exclusively. It is still unexplainably funny to me.)

Polyvore.com is a magically wonderful site for anyone interested in fashion and shopping. Polyvore gathers and lists non-frumpy articles of clothing (from a variety of websites) and individual members pull together the pieces into highly stylized "looks" (some with make-up suggestions). You can also choose a celebrity whose style you admire and view "looks" that are inspired by them. There are more nifty features but I will leave those to be discovered by you. The only negative is, although mixed in with more affordable brands, many items are priced well above the affordability level of most people. If nothing else it's really great for fashion inspiration.

dark night b.t.j.

Although I would say this is a w.t.j. (white t-shirt & jeans) outfit I think it would look better with a black tissue tee.

1. shibori wrap
2. wrap sweater
3. foldover clutch
4. platform heels

reduce my carbon tire print

It would be a great thing if I was able to bicycle to work instead of driving. But my drive to work is 45 minutes long - without traffic and on a freeway. I have a little hatchback that gets great gas mileage and has 8 airbags. It is the best possible, eco-friendly car for driving in California, on freeways full of monster SUVs, with two adult size children and a "baby rhino" husband. If I lived closer to work, I'd like to think that I would walk or bicycle to work. (Notice I said that "I'd like to think".) It is part of my Mayberry dream to bike around and wave to all the town, where everyone knows my name. (My dream neighborhood would be a hybrid of Mayberry from the "Andy Griffith Show" and the bar from "Cheers" - without the drunks but with the personalities.)

Urban Outfitters has a new site, Republic Bike, where you can custom design and buy (within their guidelines) a bike they will build for $399. It's a bit pricey and best suited for Mayberry.

The folding bikes that are supposed to be ideal for college students and commmuters have been priced anywhere from just under $1,000 to more than $5,000. At those prices people could buy a car. But, I found a folding bike for under $200 - $159 to be exact. Pretty reasonable I think. Now if I can attach a motor to it, so I don't have to actually exercise we might be on to something. An environmentally friendly motor, of course.

beach burka bingo

Finding a bathing suit for a grown woman who doesn't want to wear a bikini, that doesn't have large turquoise tropical flowers printed all over, is near impossible. The limited selection of one piece bathing suits usually lack style and you also run the risk of wearing the same bathing suit as your grandma. As if not feeling comfortable enough to wear a bikini isn't enough, the one piece options only help to make burkas feel like a preferable option.

These are cute but expensive, maybe they will go on sale or better yet clearance. They look like they might be able to create some sort of optical illusion that might make my beach burka order unnecessary.


1. smoke gray swimsuit
2. light gray swimsuit

mix it up

Although I like more traditional and old fashioned styled kitchen supplies, I thought these would be a really nice gift for a college student (my daughter in a few years) or a girl who is newly out on her own with her own kitchen (my sister). The cute nesting bowl set includes mixing bowls, measuring spoons and a colander. Measuring cups are, well, measuring cups but in the shape of cute flowers they are....still measuring cups.

1. measuring cups
2. mixing bowls, collander, measuring spoons set