I had a chance to try the new Steam N Mash potatoes by Ore Ida. Though I can't say I'll be adding them to my regular shopping list, they were much better and fresher tasting than I expected.


The serving size was a little smaller than I would have liked (because I'm all about the starch and carbs and I wasn't able to have seconds, not that I need it) but they were so easy to prepare. They come frozen in chunks which is good for people who like their mashed potatoes lumpy (I do).

I added a little more milk and butter than was called for (also added fresh ground pepper) but if I hadn't they would have tasted just fine. I could see myself buying them the next time I want to make Shepherd's Pie (ooh that sounds good right now!).


I have $1 off coupons for the first 8 people who'd like to try them. Just leave a comment with your email address. (Coupons expire 4/09)

Second Disney Mom Blogger Mixer

I can't believe it's been more than a week since I was a few short hours from touching down in Orlando. To say the trip was an amazing whirlwind would be an understatement. Same for first class. And inspiring. And enlightening. But I'm getting ahead of myself.


I landed early evening on Friday and had just enough time to change for the welcome cocktail hour and dinner. How nice it was to have a room all to myself! We met a few of the Disney executives and Maria Bailey of BSM Media. We had drinks and appetizers then it was off to The Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the amazing collection of African artifacts and have dinner with two Disney chefs at Jiko.


After dinner a few of us went dancing at a club on the Boardwalk. Saturday we started bright and early (7:45) with breakfast and Q&A session with more executives to share our perceptions of Disney and what they hoped to gain by having us there. After breakfast we went to The Magic Kingdom for a few rides, and then on to Hollywood Studios for the parade, lunch at The Brown Derby with two Disney Imagineers, more rides and shopping.


Then back to the hotel for a little down time before it was time to break out my new fake eyelashes and get ready for dinner at Epcot Center. And when I say I could go on and on about how amazing the food, wine and entertainment were at the Party of the Senses, I mean rave for days! I had a chicken paprikash with roasted cauliflower dish that, seriously, I don't think I'll ever forget. And the chocolate cake with salted caramel sauce! TO. DIE. FOR. I wish I had pictures but my ancient brick of a camera wouldn't fit into my cute little handbag. This is a little taste.




After the tasting we watched the fireworks show then back to the hotel. We went dancing and met the rockin'- est grandma ever! I only hope I have her energy when I'm using the senior discount. Even though my feet were killing me, I wasn't ready to call it a night so when the idea to go to another club came up I was all for it. Thank you to Patrick Ewing for letting us finish your vodka and cranberry juice!


Sunday we started with a trip to the Animal Kingdom to see The Festival of the Lion King. Then off to The House of Blues for Gospel Brunch. I have not been to church in awhile but I was so moved by the music I got tears in my eyes.

After brunch we had a second discussion with the execs to give our feedback from the weekend. It is so refreshing to know that a company as big (huge! vast!) as Disney would see the need to reach out to a particular community and actually see it through. I appreciate what they are trying to achieve and hope the weekend gave them enough insight going forward to be successful in their campaign.


Please get to know the amazing women who went with me:

Yolanda from Ebony Mommy
Tanyetta from Days Like These
Renee from Cutie Booty Cakes
Michele from Integrated Mother
Nadia from Mama Law
Kim from Mom in the City
Felicia from Reign of the Girl Child
Kristina from Mom on the Rise
Jennifer from The Mom Salon



More giant thank you's go to: Jennifer, Michelle, Super Sarah (someone give this woman a raise!), Annette, Laura (congratulations on becoming a cast member!), Ximora, Carol, Leanne, Rialys, Lara, Christian,Mark, Diego, Sybil and I'm sure I've forgotten someone but thank you all so much!

It's Here!

I won a Sherbert Party from Elle's New England Kitchen and it arrived today. I promised Drama Kid I wouldn't open it until he got home but I forgot it's a martial arts day! Grr. Now I have to wait and patience isn't one of my better traits. I'll post pictures of us sampling all the flavors (and trying to fit five cartons of sherbert in my freezer!).

What Would You Do?

I took my son to martial arts on Tuesday. I forgot to turn off my cell and of course got a call. I took it outside and when I walked out the door I had my back to another mom. She was seated with her back against the wall helping her daughter with schoolwork.

I turned back toward the studio to watch the class and almost dropped my phone. Not only was the woman sitting with her knees up in a dress, but she was wearing a maxi pad in her lace underwear! Eeew! Ick! Blech! My eyes!

I was floored. I finished my call and hurried back inside where I promptly whispered what I'd been unfortunate enough to see to hubby.

Normally, I can be pretty upfront with my opinions. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her to close her legs already, but I didn't say anything.

Would you have told her to keep her menses to herself? What have you seen that you wish you could permanently erase from your mind?

Wordless Wednesday #17: The Happiest Place on Earth

A Day in the Life at the Drama House

Mrs. G has asked that we share a typical day with you. Being an at home mom, many of my days are carbon copies of one another: lather, rinse repeat. And I'm OK with that.

I have my book club, my blogging group, my adopted soldier and The Bitches to help mix things up. And this past weekend I took a little trip to Orlando to meet some of my newest blog friends (more on that later).

My day starts fairly early.

After much grumbling and stalling we head upstairs.

I feed both animals, make lunch and it's back downstairs for the brushing of the teeth and hair, finding of the shoes and Star Wars Lego guys and then off to school.

Occasionally I get to walk Drama Kid into school to say goodbye and if I'm lucky I get a hug and kiss before he runs off.

After drop off I head down to the beach for my walk.


By the time I get to the beach it's about 9:15. I walk for distance not speed so I'm usually not home until close to 11:00. I have breakfast which is some combination of coffee, tea, chai latte, cereal or my oatmeal.


Then I shower and spend hours some time on the computer. I'll start laundry, load the dishwasher and try not to cringe every time I walk by Drama Kid's room.


After this it's errand time. I'm either at Costco, Henry's, Trader Joe's, getting gas, returning library books and/or movies, buying birthday presents or any of the other things that "someone" should be doing to keep the household running smoothly.


By now it's close to pick up time at school and the mad dash to make it to martial arts class somewhat on time (school lets out at 3:10, class starts at 3:30). I read and listen to my iPod.


Class ends at 4:20 then it's home for homework, a little play time, dinner and getting Drama Kid to bed. Writing it out makes it seem really boring. Sometimes I think I need MORE in my life but then I take a step back and realize I have everything I need, and lots of stuff I want and it really can't get any better than that.

Head over to Mr's G. for a list of other Day in the Life stories.

Sincere Thanks

Several people have been really helpful with my 50 State Postcard Drive. I'm overdue in thanking them. I really appreciate you taking up my cause and helping me get the word out. I'm about halfway there! (Read the update here)

Thanks again to everyone who has sent a card. Your messages are so kind. I've enjoyed reading them and know Sgt. will too. THANK YOU!!

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough...

Steph tagged me with a meme. Since I love her dearly, I will happily play along. The rules:

"It’s easy peasy, kids. I just want you to write five positive things about yourself. I don’t care how goofy or weird those things are; I simply want them to be things you think are rad and that you absolutely believe with your whole heart. Like don’t hand me any “I’m a great mom!!” stuff if you actually think you’re only a pretty good mom. See what I mean? After you write your list, tag five other people to compose a list. Maybe we can fight this blogfluitis, five bloggers at a time."

I'm feeling pretty good so this will be easy:

1. I'm very organized. I have been called anal and take it as a compliment.

2. I am a good friend. I don't make friends easily, but once I decide I like you, we're like velcro.

3. I'm a good dancer. Not ballroom (though I love the Tango) but on the dance floor. I have been told I'm sexy.

4. I am very generous. I really like to give and make other people happy.

5. I make great baked beans. Ask Deb. Or Cheri. I think "orgasm" was mentioned somewhere.

I will reach for the sky and tag Mr. Lady, Bossy, Moosh in Indy, Tootsie, and Latte Mommy.

What do you like about yourself?

I'm Not Here

I'm here:


Right now I'm on the plane or on my layover in Denver. I've been told the airport is great. I hope so 'cause I'll be there for 2 hours! I'll be back on Monday with all details of the Disney Mom Blogger Mixer. I hope to post something over the weekend and you can follow me on Twitter. Have a great weekend!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Look at Those Lashes!

5 Minutes for Mom is having a Sleeping Angels photo contest for a chance to win a Summer Breeze bedroom set.

I check on my little guy at least once (usually twice) before I go to bed and I always wonder where he got those lashes. Certainly not from me!

Now That You Mention It...

Perhaps my son's interest in fire isn't so hard to explain after all. Here are some of my favorite parts of the Miramar Air Show (besides the Blue Angels).

First, the fireworks. These are better than 4th of July. This is only a little bit of the 10 minute show.



Next, Shock Wave. I love this truck! Jet engines, semi trucks and fire. I should move to Florida and start following Nascar. My video isn't that great since it's nighttime. There's better footage here.



And last, The Wall of Fire! Because it rained, there was a misfire. This video is of the "mini walls." I didn't get video of the big wall, but got a great still picture.

I Made A New Friend at the Beach Today

It's amazing how long we were willing to stand around and watch an animal do nothing!



(Please scroll to the bottom of the page to donate free mammograms)

Sarah Palin's Debate Strategy

Easy Weekend Recipe #3- Crockpot Breakfast

Dr. Oz recommends starting the day with steel cut oatmeal. Being a devout Ozzian, I went right out to get some. The half hour cooking time was a total turnoff so I forgot about it until I saw it pre-cooked in the freezer section at Trader Joe's. I like the Trader Joe's version but at $1.99 for two servings it was too pricey for me to continue buying.

Dr. Oz brought it up again on another Oprah episode and someone in the audience mentioned they use the crockpot to make it. Hallelujah! I set out to find a recipe and the slow cooker gods were looking out for me because I found a great book on clearance and it had this recipe in it.

The first time I made it I forgot to take pictures which was actually a blessing because I got busy clearing my reader doing other things and left it plugged in two hours too long. Ahem.


"Wake up to Health" Cereal

2 cups chopped, peeled apples
3 cups water
1 1/2 cups uncooked steel cut oatmeal
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours.

I substituted one cup of the water with apple juice (steel cut oats are pretty bland) and this time I added a dash of brown sugar. The recipe makes a lot. I was getting kind of sick of oatmeal by the time it was gone! Enjoy. Have a good weekend!

(Please scroll to the bottom to donate free mammograms. Just one click!)

Breast Cancer Awareness: My Mammogram Vlog

I had my first mammogram on September 10th. Everything I'd heard about them made me nervous.
Oy! The squishing, smooshing, squeezing and flattening! Yes, those things do happen, but like Tootsie, after it was over I left thinking, "eh, that was no big deal."

I've given birth, had an episiotomy, cracked and bleeding nipples and stubbed my pinkie toe countless times. For those of you who haven't had your first mammogram, please don't stress about it. It was over in a flash and only mildly uncomfortable. It was kind of fascinating actually.

Anyway, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I thought I'd play with my new toy and share with you the details of my second mammogram. Sorry it ends so abruptly. Apparently I talk too much. Image from here. (Please scroll to the bottom to donate free mammograms)

Just Because There's No Smoke...

My son almost set our house on fire two weeks ago. I light candles all the time. I love the glow and the smell. Drama Kid has never shown an interest in fire, not even as an infant, so having lit candles all over the house has never been a concern for me.

He was in the powder room supposedly washing his feet. He hates shoes and always plays outside barefoot. I was in the kitchen making dinner and heard him make a strange noise. I ask "what are you doing?" and of course I get no response.

My Spidey Sense went on alert and when I walked into the bathroom, I saw the sword from one of his Ninja Turtles on the counter. Melted. I figure he'd been holding it over the flame and nothing more. I yelled and he got a spanking (he didn't cry, I must be losing my touch) and I sent him to his room.

Something made me go back into the bathroom and that's when I saw the trashcan start to flame. I call him back upstairs and ask again, "what were you doing?" He was lighting the toilet paper on fire! One of the pieces caught and he dropped it in the trash when it singed his fingertip.

I stood over the flaming trashcan yelling at him about how dangerous and stupid that was and how could have burned not just our house but our two neighbors' as well. In hindsight I guess I should have put the flames out first but hopefully they added to the drama and he's learned his lesson.

I almost went to get my camera so I could post a picture but changed my mind. My husband says all boys get into trouble playing with fire. How about your kids? Any near misses?

Easy Weekend Recipe #2 - Vegetarian

I sampled this at Trader Joe's and was surprised that I liked it. To me, it's not chili without meat. The recipe is so easy it's a good one for older kids to do by themselves.

Vegetarian Tamale Pie

2 cans Vegetarian chili (8 oz I think)
1/2 bag of frozen fire roasted corn
1 chub of polenta (found in the aisles not the dairy case)
Shredded Cheddar cheese

Mix the chili and corn in an 8 x 8 baking dish. Slice polenta and cover the chili. Top with the cheese. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese browns slightly.

I wasn't going to tell Drama Dad it was vegetarian until I'd served it, but I did anyway. He really liked the flavor though he's not a huge fan of polenta. He suggested crushing tortilla chips on top instead which I might try. I also won't slice the polenta but mash it to form more of a crust. The slices were a little thick. Let me know if you try it.


Have a great weekend!

On My Mind

I was walking on the beach yesterday (don't be a hater) and ran into a former co-worker. She was a temp while another person was on maternity leave and she was able to find a good job when the woman came back.

I hesitated to ask what SHE was doing at the beach at 9:30 on a Wednesday because I kinda had an idea what her answer would be. Sure enough, she was laid off three months ago.

She is younger than me, not married, no kids, no mortgage and she has more experience than I do. And she's been out of work for THREE months because in her words, "there's nothing out there."

Bush's speech last night didn't reassure me one bit. Husband just laid a financial bombshell on me. Our economy is in the toilet. I have officially moved from worried to scared shitless. I'm not going anywhere with this, it's just what's floating around my head today.

Wordless Wednesday #16 - I Looked in the Rearview Mirror and Saw

Must See TV

I love TV. I know what people say about it being a time waster and rotting your brain. Whatever. There's some great stuff on TV! I'm stoked all the fall shows are back. Here's what I'd be watching every day if my family decided they didn't need to eat or wear clean laundry (click on the picture to view larger):



What about you? What will you be watching at night?

This Kid is Going to Go Places

Take a look at this inspiring young man, Dalton, from Dallas. I can only hope my son has this much confidence in himself.

Updated Reading List

My mom and I have the same taste in books. Whenever we're together, whether it's at Costco, the mall or Target, we generally end up cruising through the book isle. If we both see something we'd like one of us will buy it and pass it on to the other.

We can often be heard saying something along the lines of, "I don't need to bring another book into the house right now!" but invariably the deals will be too good to pass up and we'll each leave the store with an armload. The last time she was here, I took her to my library's used book store. She was in heaven. We rarely go anywhere without a book.

We're both pretty picky about who we lend our books to. We're "good" readers and treat our books very well and expect others to do the same. I have rules when I lend out a book:

1. No dog-eared pages
2. Don't crack the spine
3. No leaving the book open, turned upside down to hold your place


I know. I have issues.

Anyway, when I first started this blog I created a thread with some of my recent reads. At the time, I wished it could have been a more complete list, but I had given my mom a giant stack of books and couldn't remember all the titles.

You know where this is going, right?


Click over to my reading list. I've added all these titles starting with The Alphabet Sisters (scroll down, it's in red). I've also linked to the reviews on Amazon. I'm thinking of selling all these on Amazon or posting them on Craigslist. Anyone have good luck with Amazon? Is it worth the hassle?