Mom has blisters. Actually, she has five. Today is going to be tough. But I know she can do it.



Passing out gum, mints and baby wipes.


Some people are so clever with their tent decorations and team names. This is the Boobs Farm Whinery. There were two bottles of Boone's wrapped in pink on the ground.


The Remembrance Tent. One small tent for each city that hosts the walk. The San Diego tent is showcased in the larger tent along with photos of people who have recently passed and journals to leave a message to a loved one.


This woman has raised more money total for Komen than any other walker (click to her website, I don't want to give it away but prepare to have your socks knocked off). She gets to sleep in a special tricked out tent sponsored by New Balance.


Overheard: "I'm fine as long as I keep moving."

"If I stop now every muscle in my body will freeze up. I won't even be able to smile."


This is part of Main Street. There is a post office, store for buying merchandise, a tent for bingo, free foot massages and samples.


The walkers come through this area lined with flags as they finish for the day and head into camp. Other walkers stay to cheer them in, there's loud, upbeat music and bottled waters.


Read about the other two days of the walk: Day 1, Day 3

2008 San Diego Breast Cancer 3-Day Day 1 Pictures

My mom rocked it yesterday! She was already eating lunch by the time I headed down to La Jolla. Cross you fingers that her hot spots don't turn into blisters today.


Read about the other two days of the walk: Day 2, Day 3

480 Miles, $50K and Counting - The Breast Cancer 3 Day

When my mom told me she was going to do the Susan G Komen 3 Day walk I laughed at her. Sleeping on the ground in a tent? Public showers? Right. I get my aversion to all things camping from her. I said I'd believe it when I saw it.

And show me she did! This weekend my mom will take to the streets of San Diego for the eighth time. Uh-huh, eight. And my lazy ass will be there on the sidelines and volunteering on Sunday.

This year I decided to Go Pink or Go Home and went on a little shopping spree yesterday (love you honey!) This is what I'm wearing today.

I found this necklace on Etsy. Perfect for the occasion, no?



I normally don't wear pink and didn't realize how hard it is to find pink clothes in adult sizes, especially in fall. I felt like such the soccer mom at Charlotte Russe and Forever 21.


Then I had the brilliant idea that I should wear a black and pink bra with my leather jacket a la biker chick and spent half an hour looking for an inexpensive one.


The way I see it, some of these women have gone through chemo, radiation and worse, so I can get over my body issues for a day.

And I can't possibly go to a breast cancer awareness event without a pink wig and feather boa.


But I will be wearing pants.

If you've never experienced this event I strongly encourage, actually no, I'm telling you to go. It's an amazing way to spend an afternoon. The walkers really feed off the energy of the supporters. People come dressed in some pretty wild costumes. If your city is host to a walk next year please go and show your support.

I tell you, it's hard not to tear up when you see people in their pink survivor shirts or see the man who is walking for the wife, daughter or sister he has lost. And the closing ceremonies, where all the walkers and crew form a tunnel and take off one shoe and hold them up saber style as the survivors enter? Makes me cry buckets. Every. Single. Time.

Please send out some no blisters vibes to my mom. I will spare you pictures of her worst blister episode. You're totally welcome. Have a great weekend!

Read about all three days of the walk: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3.

Easy Weekend Recipe #4: Chicken and Rice Wraps

My grocery budget has taken a serious beating. We've been eating a lot of chicken lately and I found a really good chicken cookbook on the clearance rack to add a little variety to my usual go to's (I actually bought two, perhaps for a future giveaway?). I forgot to pictures, I'm sorry! But the recipe turned out really well and we I had leftovers for days.

Easy Chicken and Rice Wraps

1 box of Rice A Roni Spanish rice
2 Tbs butter
1 cup of your favorite salsa
12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
1 cup black or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup corn
2 cups water
8 6-inch flour tortillas*

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the rice mix with the butter until it is golden brown.

2. Slowly stir in the water, and seasoning packet. Add salsa and chicken. Bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is no longer pink.

4. Stir in beans and corn. Let stand, covered for 5 minutes then serve in warmed tortillas with your favorite garnishes.

I bought a large package of boneless, skinless chicken tenders and used some for this recipe and froze the rest. *These are supposed to be wraps but I didn't think Drama Kid could eat them that way without half ending up on the floor so I made them into burritos instead and wished I had purchased burrito size tortillas rather than soft taco sized.

Wordles Wednesday: The Sky at Sunset

Three Things on Tuesday

I should wait and post Three Things on Thursday (I love alliteration) but oh well. This is going to be a busy week. I'm going to resort to bullets:

1. I participated in a focus group yesterday for HP that was so interesting! I can't talk about the product but if they are able to pull this off it will be really sweet. It's nice to see a company who wants to make technology for moms actually include moms in the development! Before the product and advertising are complete! (This is my addition to the online furor over the Motrin ad on Twitter)

2. Drama Dad got a raise!! It's not a giant one, basically cost of living but with companies shutting down and layoffs everywhere we are SO grateful and I am so thankful he has such a great job with a great company.

3. I met with one of my favorite bloggers yesterday. I was nervous because my hair appointment isn't until next month, I haven't had a mani/pedi since my weekend in Florida and I have a zit on my cheek. But, I had so much fun! Even waiting in line at the bank. Her daughter is just as cute and sweet as I new she'd be. Thanks so much for hanging out with me Casey (Laural too!). Even if I did take you to a substandard park (Indside joke, you had to be there).

History, Made

*This was emailed to me. If anyone knows which Times Union it came from please let me know.

'Tis the Season

We may not have as much as we did last year but we have enough. Not everyone can say the same. If you know a family who may need help this holiday season, 5 Minutes For Mom is taking nominations. They are also hosting giveaways with prizes from the same sponsors donating to the families in need. I really like what these ladies do. Many of the promotions they run really make a difference in a families lives. Take a moment to see how you can help.

I'm Married to a 15 Year Old

Not only did my husband wait in line at midnight Wednesday night to buy the latest World of Warcraft, but he took yesterday and today off of work to "set it up."

New levels of geekdom have been reached here at the Drama House. I'm a little embarrassed to claim him right now.

He's been in front of the computer almost non-stop. He's taken breaks to eat but I fear he'd pee in plastic bottle if he thought he could get away with it.

I tried to think of when, if ever, I camped out or stood in line for anything and the only thing that came to mind happened in the late 1980's.

I was in junior high. My best friend called me beyond excited and squeely and said I was never, ever going to guess who was going to be at the mall in the valley signing autographs!!!! Even over the phone I could tell she was jumping up and down. I played her reindeer game and said, "who?" and she screamed in my ear THE ENTIRE CAST OF 21 JUMP STREET!!!!

And then I started screaming and jumping up and down too because Oh. My. God. Johnny Depp!! Signing autographs!! At the mall!!

I begged my mom to let me go and a few days later Mrs. Best Friend drove us to the mall on the day that had been circled with a heart and smeared with kisses on our calendars.

I took great care with my outfit: a pink half sweater, acid washed jeans, a white belt (the kind that buckled on a diagonal so the tongue was hanging down below my waist) pink and blue eye shadow, multiple pairs of socks and leather booties. Cut me some slack, you know you were dressed the same way!

We got to the mall when it opened to be at the front of the line and were blown away that there was no line.

Johnny and co were signing autographs to raise money for a charity and one could either buy a spot in line or contribute canned goods. We, being tweens with no money, opted for the canned goods.

So, with no line we decided we had time to walk around the mall for awhile and schlepped our cans of condensed soups from store to store while checking the mall courtyard periodically to stay ahead of the crowd.

Do I even need to say how miserably we failed? One minute, it was all clear and then BAM! The mall exploded with hairsprayed, acid washed, hormonal tween girls.

I don't remember too much of what happened after we got in line. It was a blur of screaming and neon and big hair. We dropped our canned goods in a big barrel and waited in the line to go up on a little stage where the photos were being taken.

We were hustled up the stairs and pushed in front of Johnny and Peter so fast our hair barely had time to settle back in place before the photographer snapped the Polaroid and we were shoved down the stairs so the next girl could take her place. If Holly Robinson, Steven Williams or Dustin Nguyen were there too I don't remember, because really? Who cared? It was all about the Depp man.

It was a totally bitchin' day. I had that Polaroid taped to my closet door like, for ever. What about you? Have you ever camped out or waited in line for anything?

Wordles Wednesday: Roller Coasters! (Pic and Video)

For more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom, What's That Smell and MomDot.

Happy Veterans Day

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell


For all those who served, continue to serve and paid the ultimate sacrifice, we thank you. Photo from him

100 (Late) Things About Me for My 200th Post

*Take a look at my 'professional about me' here.

So this is really, really late. Like 100 posts late. Other bloggers have said this list is harder to put together than it seems and I was all, "nah, how hard could it be? I've known me for 35 years," but now I eat those words with a spork because this was really hard! And I'm totally boring and need a hobby like yesterday.

I've really enjoyed my first foray into the blogging community! You all are so nice and supportive and funny and talented. Hooray for me and here's to another 100 200 posts!

1. I was born in the Midwest

2. I have lived in CA since I was 9.

3. I have never broken a bone.

4. I met my husband in high school.

5. We married eloped two days after his sister's wedding.

6. I have never traveled internationally (Tijuana doesn't count).

7. I have more than 85 pairs of shoes

8. I have never eaten apple pie or guacamole.

9. Until now, I have had a job almost continuously since I was 15.

10. I could eat chocolate every day.

11. I am an extremely picky eater.

12. I like almost all music except hard rap, speed metal and country.

13. I do not like camping.

14. I'm not very good at sports.

15. I am a great baker.

16. I LOVE watching football.

17. I haven't read enough of the "classics."

18. I can't stand doing laundry.

19. I clip coupons religiously.

20. I could eat bread with every meal, especially sourdough.
21. My favorite foods are Italian and Mexican.

22. I love the beach, but hate the sand.

23. I'm barely 5'5" but everyone thinks I'm taller.

24. I love shoes and purses.

25. I have loved to read since I was little.

26. I do not own a laptop, but need one desperately.

27. The shortest job I had lasted one week.

28. I would like to be a better writer.

29. I would love to go back to school.

30. I have two middle names.

31. I have only lived in two states: Illinois and California.

32. I've been to the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest and the huge crater in Arizona (Texas? Nevada?)

33. We bought our first home a year ago this March.

34. I think remodeling is a true test of marriage strength.

35. I just finished an HTML class and LOVED it! (See #26)

36. It took me six years to graduate from college (went from one impacted major to another).

37. I LOVE roller coasters.

38. I am a lapsed Catholic.

39. I have never seen It's a Wonderful Life, Casa Blanca or Gone With the Wind all the way through.

40. I'm a very social person.

41. I love playing board and card games.

42. But I have never played Bunco.

43. I have yet to find a wine I like.

44. But mixed drinks are no problem!

45. If I were rich I'd have a Jamba Juice Breakfast Meal every day.

46. I spend roughly $960 yearly on my hair (not including shampoo, styling aids, dryers or flat irons)

47. I love watching TV. There's so much good stuff on!

48. I think my handwriting is really pretty.

49. My first year of college I wrote in a journal every day (I still have all my journals).

50. My top three travel destinations are Spain, Africa and Greece.

51. I love candles.

52. I can't sleep nekkid, and I need something covering me, even if it's 100 billion degrees.

53. If I've been screaming a lot (like at a concert or cheering for something) about 2 hours later I can sing really well, but it passes like that [snap].

54. I sometimes regret that I never had a one night stand. (Note to self: do not work on this list at 2:15am)

55. I wrote for my college newspaper.

56. I had a falling out with my college roommate and really regret that she never knew why.

57. I have read Little Women and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn more than 10 times each.

58. I absolutely love my married name.

59. I won a pretty nice portable grill from a Pizza Hut contest I had forgotten I entered.

60. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

61. My husband thinks I'm "rack-tacular." (He's a boob man)

62. I kick butt in the bunny dancing on Rayman for the Wii.

63. I'm getting really good at pool.

64. I used to be really good at roller skating.

65. I didn't get my first pet (aside from goldfish) until I was in high school.

66. I have had all the supplies for my son's First Year scrapbook sitting in a box for 3 years.

67. I want to audition for The Amazing Race.

68. This September was our 10 year wedding anniversary.

69. I color occasionally after everyone is asleep.

70. I have less money in my personal checking than my son does in his savings.

71. I love cereal. I could eat it all day.

72. I love going dancing. I'd go every weekend if Drama Dad would let me (and could afford all the cover charges).

73. When I worked for Godiva, I won an award for top sales and went on an all expense paid trip to Florida.

74. I really need to buy my domain name soon.

75. I have only recently begun drinking tea (the hot kind).

76. I am a lightweight (if I don't keep drinking steadily I fall asleep).

77. I love buying cookbooks more than I like cooking.

78. My car has more than 119,000 miles on it.

79. I love kitchen gadgets. I could spend a fortune at Bed, Bath and Beyond on peelers, zesters and scrapers.

80. My husband loves the "strawberry patch" birthmark on my leg.

81. I need to get better at budgeting and frugalizing.

82. I have fallen off the exercise wagon these past two weeks.

83. I am volunteering at the 3 Day breast cancer walk in two weeks.

84. I do not like long car trips. I'd rather fly.

85. It can be a really nice day outside but I'll still have on sweats.

86. From my husband: "It's crazy that you've never seen any of The Godfather movies."

87. I do not like to put ketchup in the fridge (or any other condiment).

88. I can't whistle through my fingers.

89. I can raise one eyebrow at a time.

90. I can't make a good grilled cheese. They either burn or stay soggy.

91. is the year I graduated high school.

92. I am not a morning person.

93. I don't like needles.

94. I put Vicks Vapo Rub on the bottom of my son's feet last night and he didn't cough all night. I was skeptical, but now totally believe.

95. In addition to blogging, I'm becoming addicted to social media.

96. If I'm bored I can happily walk around Target, Costco or the book store.

97. I do not like any kind of seafood.

98. From my son "Mama, you're the most beautifulest woman I ever met."

99. I can't believe how long it took me to put this together.

100. I will not be doing another list like this ever again.

*Take a look at my 'professional about me' here.

Say Hola! to My New Fave

Given a choice between a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream and mango sherbet, unless I'm PMS'ing I will almost always go for the sorbet. So when I won a sherbet party from Hola Fruta I was beside myself.

The day the boxes arrived I wanted to grab a spoon and hunker down on the couch but since the five cartons (uh huh, FIVE) were shipped on dry ice they had to temper (fancy word for thaw a little) in the freezer overnight.

I invited our neighbors over for the tasting using the mardi gras beads and invitations that came in the party kit but they weren't able to come for two whole days and I figured it would be tacky and rude to serve sherbet with giant scoops little divets missing so I waited. I hate waiting. And every time I opened the freezer there they were:


Hola Mango! Hola Peach! And Ole Margarita! And hi to the steaks. Wednesday took forever and day to come but finally I got to set out all the cartons and spoons, scoopers and bowls and we got our sherbet on!

Can I tell you how good this sherbet is? It's not icy or grainy but smooth like an ice cream. We let the kids taste as many flavors as they wanted. Drama Kid was in heaven because he rarely gets dessert at home let alone as many scoops as he wanted.

General consensus was the Mango rocks the house but they're all really good. I have a quart and half left and I'm so sad because I have yet to see Hola Fruta in my stores and the giant stack of coupons they gave me are going unused. Sigh.

What about you? Sherbet or ice cream? What's your flavor of choice?

*The Hola Fruta people didn't ask me to post about this.

I'm Only A Little Whiny

About a month ago, our adopted soldier asked that instead of sending care packages to him, could I ask my friends and family to gather shoes that he and his unit could distribute to the Iraqi children.

In his email he said that so many of the children don't have any shoes and their feet are cracked, bloody and infected. That about broke my heart into thousands of little pieces and I sent a message to family and friends asking if, rather than taking their kids' gently used shoes to Goodwill, they could give them to me.

I also sent a message to a local radio station, to Ellen, my neighbor's school and my son's school. I sent a pair of Drama Kids' hardly worn sandals as a "test" pair to see if they would be well received since they're not brand new. Sgt. said the people in the villages are rather proud. When he got the package he said they were perfect and he'd let me know once he'd given them out.

I have about 20 pairs of shoes in my garage right now, but I really hoped I'd get a better response from the schools. I've been bummed and mopey and disappointed that I haven't been more successful at the ONE thing Sgt. has asked of me. Then I got an email today that lifted me out of my funk a little.

This is the kind of stuff we don't see enough of on the news. I'm happy someone was successful. I've tried but can't pick out my son's pair. Knowing they are there and will go to a child in need makes me smile.

On a side note, several people have asked how to get involved with adopting a soldier. I received two emails recently from Adopt A US Soldier and for the first time in years there is a surplus of soldiers waiting to be adopted. The weather in Iraq is about to change and fleece blankets, hats and gloves are on the soldiers' most wanted list.

Wordless wednesday Sunset at the Beach

Either I caught the sun in the split second it was about to implode and then changed its mind or there was something on my camera lens.