Cleaning... sort of.

I was appalled when I looked behind my window blinds, to find nasty, black dirt balls in every nook and cranny. I must state that the window blinds are rarely moved, so out of sight, out of mind.  So today, since I clearly have nothing better to do with my life, I cleaned behind them. I grabbed my trusty container of Clorox wipes (no they don't have bleach in them, but, it might have been better if they did) and pulled the blinds to expose the nastiness.  I wiped the windows and was disgusted at the black handprint. How is it that there is black grime on the windows, that you can't really see, until you attempt to clean?  Don't answer that. I don't want to know.  After that lovely discovery, I decided to clean the whole section of blinds. EWWWWWW!!  I really should pay attention to windows/walls and stuff. But, who does that?!?! Fine, fine.... I guess, I am the only one who lives in a pig sty. I have never tried to be "housekeeper" of the year, week, month, day or even minute. Just ask my husband.  He's a "bit" of a neat freak.  Rest assured, it has NOT (and will NOT) rubbed off on me, in the last 14+ years of marital bliss.  So there you have it -- what I did this afternoon, because I know everyone wanted to know how gross my windows and blinds were. And I don't even have company coming over!!! I think I deserve a medal... ;)

Avocado Salsa!!

My sister cut into my last avocado today, to put on her sandwich. I had to figure out a way to use the rest of it. Viola! Avocado Salsa!

1 avocado
2 tomatoes (I used two Roma, but, I'm sure any kind would be fine.)
2 garlic cloves
1/2 red onion (I'm sure any type would be fine.)
S & P
Lime juice from half of a lime (lemon would probably work, too.)
Dash of lemon juice to assist the lime juice

Put all of the above ingredients in a food processor (I used my nifty PC manual one) and process until it's dippy looking.  Eat with tortilla chips.

There you have it! Easy peasy and healthy to boot!

Homemade Salsa!

I bought a manual food processor from a Pampered Chef party. This device is AWWWWWWESOMEEEE!! I finally broke it out of it's box and made some salsa. I used three Roma tomatoes, 1/3 red onion, two garlic cloves,  1/4-1/2 cup banana peppers with the juice, lime juice (yes, I actually had a real lime to squeeze into it,) lemon juice to add to the lime, fresh cilantro (that actually came out of MY "garden" pots!!), half of a hot pepper (I rec'd from a friend,) salt and pepper. (I think that's all.) It was so good!!! I say "was", because C#2 and I ate it all.  I am glad there was no more, otherwise I would just continue to eat and eat and eat..... I really have no self control when it comes to food such as that.

This week I plan on making some homemade pesto, too. I have a very large basil plant and two pots FULL of basil leaves. I will have to let you know how that turns out. I will also be making banana bread (I have some black/nasty bananas to use) and blackberry pie and something raspberry. Not sure what exactly. Gotta love this time of year.

We are all still melting in the heat. It makes me very thankful for the A/C in our living room. It looks like it's supposed to cool off a little at the beginning of this week --- but, then it will get all hot and summer, again. Good times!

Another great saying...

This one I stole from one of my FB friends. "Siblings are the people we practice on. The people who teach us about fairness and caring. Quite often the hard way."

Well said.

I'm becoming a blogging slacker!

Sorry for the delay in posting (not that I need to apologize.) This week has been a run-run-run week. Mostly all good stuff. Except for the three (actually four, I didn't have to make one of them) extra trips to the camp C#1 and C#2 are at, because C#2 had to be brought home overnight, because of a mysterious fever. Thankfully C#2 was over it in less than 24 hours and was able to go back.  C#2 was not happy to leave, as I am sure everyone can understand..

This week I also celebrated one of my BFFs birthday's. I did a "live" Zumba class. This particular instructor liked  Latin music, so there was a LOT of butt shaking to that. I am just thankful that there was NO mirror in front of my spot and that everyone else was way too busy trying to figure out the moves, to pay attention to my blunderings!  A couple days later the birthday BFF and my other BFF went to a large Salvation Army for a 50% off sale. I purchased some "much" needed clothing for a few of us. The quotes are for sarcasm, as no one in my house really needs any new clothes......  We then had a great lunch out and an extra smoothie treat at a Sheetz gas station.  AND since tomorrow is my last day of "no" children, I will be going to a movie with the birthday BFF!! It's supposed to be a funny one. I will be sure to let you know.

Speaking of movies, I did watch a movie called "If Only." Yes, it is about what you think it's about --- sorta. I didn't read the back of the box too carefully, so as not to get too much information. It wasn't the greatest movie. Think "Lifetime" channel.  Needless to say, it was sad. I have mentioned that I am a glutton for punishment when it comes to topics such as that.  I was kind of expecting what happened, to happen. But, the end caught me off guard. So, alas, I was a bawling mess.  Thankfully it was 1:00 in the morning and no one else was awake (the lateness/earliness might have contributed to said "mess.")  There was a saying in the movie that I liked. It wasn't anything profound, but, it just struck me as 100% true. I had to rewind the dvd to hear it, again and then write it down. The saying was, "Death doesn't put an end to love." I'm not entirely sure why that struck me like it did. It just seemed like something that should be said. I am sure I will "over think" it for a while, because that is what I do best.

Now I need to get some work done (yes, I do "work" at 12:30 in the morning!) That's all for now.... I will do my best to not be such a slacker in the coming days, weeks, months!!

Why does food have to be so good?!

Food is my weakness. Salty foods primarily, but, not exclusively. If you want to be my best friend OR my worst enemy here's a list (but rest assured, it's not a complete one.) Kettle: Salt & Vinegar Chips (I could eat a whole bag in one sitting), Redskin Spanish peanuts (my protein rich late night obsession), microwaved PB on vanilla ice cream (evil combo, but, so darn good), chocolate covered pretzels, sour patch kids (the only gummy candy I actually love), coffee, more coffee, strawberries, blueberries (I am looking forward to the picking season), movie popcorn (especially when it's layered with lots of the artery clogging "not" butter), air popped popcorn with melted butter and margarine (my Grandpa always made this when we came for a visit AND my Dad made it all of the time, too), chips (Tostitos) and salsa (good salsa - picante sauce or Chi Chi's), cookie dough (pshawww all those salmonella germies from raw eggs), Hollandaise sauce (especially on broccoli),Kiss on the Lips (my favorite cruise ship beverage), Pina Colada (a beverage I have recently "nailed" and more than happy to make and drink over and over and over), hot chicken legs, mozzarella cheese, muenster cheese, potato chips (especially the ones with ridges) and Heluva good onion dip, Cool Whip (I could eat a whole tub -- no joke!), PIZZA!! (but, I am very particular), McD's chicken nuggets with hot mustard sauce (I can restrain myself from this one, but, they are good), meatloaf, baked potatoes (with lots of butter, sour cream and s/p), reuben sandwiches and on and on the list goes...... Because I know everyone cares. And now I'm hungry. Grrrrrrrr.................

To clean or not to clean....

That is the question.  Anyone who knows me, knows that I find cleaning highly overrated.  I do understand the concept and I do like it when it's all nice and neat. But, the reality of it is, especially if you have children, is that it will not last longer than five seconds. So, what IS the point of it?  I am all about finding any rationale not to clean.

We don't have company that much and I figure if you're family or even if you're not and have been to my house, sayyyyyyyyyy more than two times, then I don't need to clean for you. I won't require it of you either. Not that I would require it anyway, in a normal not visiting circumstance. Too each his own dirt, as far as I'm concerned. Seems fair to me!

My Aunt was visiting last week and she said she assigns her daughter with a "daily chore." I have now adopted that practice and my children seem to be adapting appropriately. Heehee!!  This definitely makes it "okay" to clean, when it seems entirely pointless. 

I am not a perfectionist, but, it took a little bit of "letting go" when it came to some of the tasks assigned to my kids.  I have become very comfortable with letting the job not be completely finished, if I don't have to do it.  Especially when it comes to dusting. I.HATE.DUSTING.  Don't get me wrong. I don't like it when you can write notes to one another on the living room end table. But, I hate it enough, that I don't really care. That said, I have now assigned this lovely task to my children and I am sure when they are old enough to "task" it off to someone else, they will do so, because they hate it, too.  Ahhhhh..... The circle of life.

Boredom....

Nope! I'm not bored. I was just wondering what was up with children these days and their incessant whine"age" about being bored. Let me make it clear that saying, "I'm bored," is against the law at my house. If C#1 or C#2 say that, I have a whole list of things for them to do, to make them "un"bored!

I guess my gripe is that children, well let's just be VERY broad in the statement and say most people (including adults,) feel the need to have some sort of entertainment going on ALL.OF.THE.TIME!!! I don't get it. I personally have 1,000,000,000 things I could be doing or should be doing. There is not enough time on this planet to be bored.

I guess, it comes down to the instant gratification that everyone gets from the computer age. Yes, I sound old fashioned and out of date. Believe me, I'm not. It just still amazes me that "people" are always bored. What happened to being content reading a good book. You know those rectangle things that have lots of pages in them and many words. I know when I was a kid I read and read and read and read and read. I am sure my Mom thought I slept away my entire summer, when in reality, I was reading non-stop. I only poked my head out of my room to go to the bathroom and eat dinner.

I do understand the desire to do something different now and again. But, the non-stop entertainment and excitement is downright exhausting!! What's wrong with sitting on your butt and doing nothing --- or taking a nice nap or ---- just doing nothing and more nothing. Children these days need a class on how to enjoy "idle" time. Or maybe it's the parents or maybe it's just everyone!!  I know I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee doing nothing, vegetating, growing roots.  There is clearly nothing wrong with that!

I am definitely NOT part of the go-go-goooooooo crowd. For those of you who may not have known this, I apologize for being boring. But, I don't plan on changing. No WAY! No HOW!

It's Summertime!

I know, you know that already, but, I had to think of a title....  Today was one of my many nephew's birthday. His Mom and my Mom planned a small-ish shindig at the grandparent's house. My Mom bought a package of 36 cupcakes from the local warehouse store for a mere $13.98 or something like that. And they were delicious!!   Have I mentioned that I have a weakness for butter cream frosting -- even the fake factory stuff. Sooo, soooooo good!!!!  The birthday boy's Mom also brought a Slip 'n Slide for the kidlets to play on. It proved to be a small children toy. C#1 couldn't get the hang of it. So, he took it upon himself to push the nephews on the slide, so they careened into the bottom pillow thing and ate some grass.  They did enjoy it though. C#2 tried to be graceful and ended up on her butt and banging her head. After some tears, she decided to assist C#1 with the little cousin pushing.  It eventually started to rain and we all ventured back into the house and then on our way home.

My Mom is doing good. She is still struggling with words, remembering them, saying them, but, I think she is improving. She has taken it upon herself to do word searches and such.  She is also able to function pretty well on the computer and managed to read a recipe, to make a delicious black bean salsa.

We're going to chill out at home tomorrow and hopefully get some work done. AKA laundry, clean rooms, the list goes on and on....  I will hopefully have something entertaining to report next time.