Day 5

List seems better (newest first):

3 supermans (15 sec)
30 push ups (10-10-10)
10 kicks (15 sec kick, 5sec rest)
70 crunches (20-30-20)

5 days, so far so good.

Almost forgot - day 4

Okay, so I almost went to bed without adding to my torture ... I mean, continuing with my exercise challenge. So I was pretty lame tonight, I did the 30 push-ups, 10 sets of 15 second kicks, and instead of adding a new exercise I upped my crunches (20-30-20). At least I didn't talk myself out of it. Goodnight!

A day in pajamas ...

A great day is one where you wake up, feed the boy feed yourself, watch cartoons, shower and change into a new pair of pajamas. I have had a couple of these days lately!

Uh-oh

I don't do my work out today. I know what you are thinking ...slacker ... But in reality I went over and hour working in the garden today. I figured that digging, raking wet dirt, covering in newspaper, covering newspaper with mulch, sliding in mud = ouch! It hurts to blog. I think today definitely counts. I think I need to do more gardening. It's cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes :)

Day 2

Success - 2 days in a row!

Tonight I did the same 10 sets of about 20-35 kicks. I also did 50 crunches (20-15-10-5). I am going to do the same thing tomorrow, but also add another exercise too. And then three sets of 10 push ups - yes, they were grandma pushups, and it took a while because Xman thought it was time to play! But I am done and I am thinking I need to time those kicks, maybe 15-20 on then 5 seconds off ... Now time to give the little man his bath! We are so off schedule!

My crafty Christmas presents

I got both of these ideas from pinterest and both were a big hit. For my mom I had to improvise some. I saw pictures put behind glass tiles then magnets on the back so they could be put on the fridge - so cute! But I couldn't find glass tiles except for online - and I didn't have time for shipping. So I found wooden tiles at hobby lobby and I live them. I may need to do some more for me!

Then for my mother in law I found this idea for a Christmas plate. If course his foot was supposed to be centered and the border should have been even ... you know me!

Baby steps

New idea re-vamped. Tonight I did 10 sets of about 20-35 kicks. I also did 50 crunches (20-15-10-5). I am going to do the same thing tomorrow, but also add another exercise too. And add to that the next day. That's the plan, but I am only looking at one day at a time. My butt has been attached for the couch for about 10 years - or at least that is what it feels like.

Everything is reversible - so lets rewind it!

Christmas presents/projects

We cleaned our garage! Robert cleaned out all the garage sale stuff from September, so he can get his car back in the garage. And I cleaned off my workbench - things had been piling up for a while. Ever time I walk out to the garage, or drive in or out of the garage it is so amazing to like what I see. Best Christmas project!

We also got a storage unit - it has 9 squares and you can put those canvas covered drawer-like things in it. Amazingness! We are using it as a toy chest for Xman. I still need to trade out the fabric drawers for a different color, then almost all the toys should be accessibly but out of sight when not in use! I can only dare to dream!!

I'll add pics during daylight hours.

Cooking marathon

I feel like I have been cooking for a week straight ... I am not complaining, I love it. Before school was out we had to take snacks so I made sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, snicker doodles and oatmeal-craisin-walnut cookies.

Then we had a party at Xman's daycare, do I made a ton of cakeballs. Dark chocolate brownie, dark chocolate, devils food cake,carrot cake, lemon, peanut butter and dark chocolate-orange. Each kiddo/mom got one of each, I sent some with Robert to the school he was working at and took the rest to the teachers lounge.

Then that night I had the girls over for an ornament exchange so I marquess, black beans, tea, and Robert bought us del taco tacos and burritos. Jill brought pizza rolls, Lisa brought a snack mix, Jamie brought sausage balls, Chonte' brought lemon brownies ... Oh, lemon brownies ... I had so much fun! So much!

Then I started experimenting. I made caramel corn - best thing ever. Then a moose munch knock off - not as impressive. Peanut butter Cheerio treats- not impressive. I also made guacamole salsa and added too much lime, but it was still good on the spicy dr pepper pulled pork I made that Monday.

I made an appetizer buffet for moms Christmas. As always, she made the menu and I put it together. I made spinach crostini (so yummy), cilantro- green chili pinwheels, salsa, 7-layer dip, queso, chicken tenders, pizza rolls, lil smokies in grape jelly and mustard (yes it sounds gross, but it tastes so good). We had a veggie tray and ranch dressing. Chelsea brought candy, lemon poppy seed cake and cinnamon raisin bread. And Stacy brought ham delights. There was so much food left over! But it was all tasty, and I fed it to my in-laws for lunch.

The next morning I made pumpkin pancakes and sausage for the in-laws. Then we had a day of shopping (complete with lunch out). Then I made meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, brussels sprouts and green beans.

We also made sugar cookies to decorate - but the decorating never happened. I also made baklava, which was a big hit. Then sausage balls. Then Loreli and I made strata for breakfast for Christmas morning. Mine had spinach, bacon and Swiss. Hers had cheddar and sausage. Next time I need to make it in a bowl and stir it often so that I like it better. The bottom was really eggy, but the top was good.

Then snacks and chicken salad for lunch.

Then the best dinner ever: bakes spaghetti, roasted veggies (broccoli, asparagus, and zucchini), and garlic knots. Even the little man had spaghetti that night and again for left overs.

Now I have a few days of nuking leftovers before I have to cook again ... but I have shrimp in the freezer ready for me to make scampi...

Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass is one of my favorite things during Christmas. Everyone else is home in bed and we are in church. Couple of problems ... several of my family members are big babies about the smell of the incense. I left my husband at home because he is the biggest baby about the smell. But I took Samantha who I didn't know was going to be competing with Robert to complain the most. Then we were both exhausted, and Samantha kept trying to lay on my shoulder and sleep.

Thank goodness that the homily caught my attention. At first it was the frequent use of the word flock by our Nigerian priest ... doesn't quite sound like flick when he says it. Then he told a great joke. (warning: most don't agree with me that it's a great joke).

A couple is headed home after a Christmas party and see the red and blue lights in the rear view. So the husband slouches down in his seat, and puts his seatbelt on as he is pulling over to the side of the road. So the cop comes to the window and says "do you know why I pulled you over?" the man says "no". The cop asks again "do you know why I pulled you over?". The man again answers no. The cop says "you didn't have your seatbelt in.". The man replies "I have it on now and you can't prove otherwise. You can even ask my wife, she will tell you I had it on.". The cop looks at the lady and says "was your husband wearing his seatbelt!". She looks at her husband and then the. Op and says "sir, there is one thing I have learned in the past twenty years of marriage. Don't argue with him when he's drunk."

Insert laughter - you are welcome!

Christmas movies ...

Each year from Thanksgiving to Christmas I usually make it through all my Christmas movies at least once ... This year Cars 1-2X/day is really Putting a crimp in my movie time. I am trying a plan an advent calendar/December bucket list for next year (and it to be a tradition for us to build upon. So I am sharing my rough draft with you so I can refer back to it next year!

Movies:
Christmas Vacation
The Santa Clause
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Elf
The Family Stone
Family Man
Deck the Halls
Christmas with the Cranks
The Holiday
(last holiday? Which I thought I has)
Die hard
You've Got Mail

12 movies ... I thought I had more.

Activities:
Put lights on the house
Put out nativity
Put out advent wreath
Put up & decorate tree
Take Christmas picture for cards
Make christmas cookies and goodies!
Decorate mantle & hang stockings
Go to midnight mass

I am sure there are many things I am missing, but I have a list started! Any suggestions are welcome!

Cooking from Pinterest: Goose Crunch

I have a couple of more parties coming up so I thought I would try a couple of recipes I saw on pinterest. If you haven't found pinterest yet, you are so missing out! I made Cheerio treats and Goose Crunch. The first step of Goose Crunch is to make caramel corn - I am blogging so that the other steps can happen ... It is amazing caramel corn!!!! While the caramel corn was cooling I decided to also try the Cheerio snacks ... Mainly Cheerios and peanut buttere in enough sugar to make the mixture harden like candy. Mine are still soft, but still a little warm - definitely not as impressive as the caramel corn. Maybe I should have left the sugar boil a little longer, or cut back on the peanut butter a bit.

Check out the recipes at the following sites:

Caramel corn and Goose Crunch

Cheerio Treats

Christmas decorations are complete!

I have finally finished the mantle! And I already have a project for next year .... homemade, washable tree skirt - and of course it has to be super colorful and cute!!!

Necessity ...

Mother of invention

Breakfast: Hashbrown Pancakes

I am home with a sick boy today ... do I had time to make breakfast instead of choking down on a granola bar in the way to work.

Hashbrowns + eggs + sausage + cheese = yummy goodness

I don't measure but I make sure there is enough hash browns to make the mixture look like there isn't any egg there - I don't like eggs ... actually I don't like breakfast ... Anyway, dump it into a skillet with warm oil or butter,. Push the mixture together to make a potato pancake. Cook until the top looks cooked or at least thawed - you have to be able to flip it. It at least needs to be together enough to slide out on a plate and flip the plate back into the pan. And cook until nice and crusty on outside.

How does this happen?

Croup

Note to self ... When he sounds like a barking seal - its croup. Xman is a sick little boy today. His daddy took him to the doctor after he woke us up at 130am. So we are now doing breathing treatments, antibiotics and steroids. He has to be bark-free before we head back to daycare ... he just barked again, as if he knew knew what I was typing. I bet I have to call in tomorrow.

He went from laying on the couch like he was going to sleep (right after his breathing treatment) to playing peekaboo and "exploring the house" (my new term for getting into everything) in a matter of moments.

I am still hoping ... dreaming ... of sleep , but I would trade another night of sleep for a boy who is well. Poor baby!

More Christmas decorating

I have been working on the mantle and fireplace ... I have a picture frame and ornaments that I am loving and I have one stocking up and the other 2 to finish. Here are a few more photos.

Mommy posts

I had a "friend" (ex-coworker) unfriend me on Facebook because I had too many posts about my kid. I find this amusing since most of her actual status updates (not shared links) we about her pregnancy. I don't know why we were Facebook friends to begin with. It is really her loss - she will miss out on the amazingness of Xman!

Quote of the day (yesterday)

Life of a slug:

First your homeless
Then people pour salt on you
Then you die

Decorating for Christmas!

I finally have a white tree! Never in my life had I considered a white tree until the first year in our house, when I put up my green tree next to my sassy grass green walls - it was horrible! I have continued the green wall-green tree thing for years, waiting until I could get a larger tree also. This year I finally just bought a white tree that is the same size as my green one. What a difference!

It was lots of fun last night to put the tree up while Xman was hiding the beaches from me .... Once he went to bed I started putting ornaments on. I love going through the ornament box, because there are always a few that I forget about. It's a little like opening presents!

Last night I also went through all the Christmas balls I had for various other projects (a wreath for a friend that was never even started, a wreathe of mine that kept falling apart ...) and hot glued all the tops on. Then this morning I got up and laced them along a piece of ribbon to make a garland or ornaments. Check out the pics! I love it ... Just needed a few more!

How is this helpful?

Thanksgiving Prep - Day 2

So, yesterday I chopped, and chopped and chopped ... it was a great day! I love chopping. I made refrigerator rolls, sweet potato casserole, and half-way prepped everything I could. I also made cake balls for Arlene. My plan is to post as many recipes as pictures as I can ... But not right this second! I am still cooking.

Cranberry Salsa

I am not a fan of cranberry sauce ... not that I have actually tried it. I just can't get over that it stays in the shape of the can. But I saw this recipe in a magazine (Southern Living or Cooking Light) and the picture with the recipe was a left over turkey sandwich with this salsa on it. It looked so good that I took a chance on it. And it was a big hit.

The next year I took it to a potluck at work, and got called to the office and told that I couldn't leave for the day until I shared the recipe. Then the school secretary started requesting it for her birthday and Thanksgiving every year.

Most people at work were eating it with chips, I like it on turkey (or a turkey sandwich). It is sweet, even though there are two jalapeños the salsa is not really spicy.

The first year I made this, I didn't have a food processor. So I took my time and diced everything up really small ... and that is the year I found out that I am allergic to jalapeño juice (on my skin). I had to eat dinner holding a glass of water, then went home and looked on WebMD and soaked my hand in oil for an hour and then called poison control. That resulted in the hubby making a trip to the store for milk of magnesia to soak in next, but I fell asleep(with my hand in the oil) while he was gone. That Christmas I got a food processor!

3 c cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 c honey
1/2 c cilantro
1/2 med red onion
2 jalapeños (seeds and ribs removed)
2 T lime juice
1 T orange zest

Pulse onion and jalapeño in food processor and pulse in food processor until fine.

Add remaining ingredients into food processor with onion and jalapeño and pulse until well combined. Refrigerate.

Best 2-4 days after making!

Thanksgiving prep day 1 recap

So, yesterday I started prepping for thanksgiving. I made cakes for Arlene's cake balls ... actually Xander actually made the dark chocolate cake. He dumped in the eggs, buttered & floured the pan, and helped me pour the batter into the pan.

Then I made cornbread for the dressings. And cranberry salsa, of course! Recipe. For cranberry salsa is coming up next!!!

CAST 2011

CAST is the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching, or as I call it science-teacher-nerd-convention.

I think every science teacher should be forced to go to this every year. I do not think real force would have to be applied. But I think there is a lot of districts who don't allow teachers to go, or limit their attendance. I understand that we are not cool like the math teacher who have their conference in the summer where subs are not required, but really?

There is more ideas and free lab supplies here than anywhere else I have been. This year I went to 10 really good workshops, got several free labs, lessons, videos, not to mention the ideas I got from talking to other teachers in my workshops.

What does it take to get schools to send teachers to CAST?

Unexpected joy

I had a student who ended up pregnant late in her senior year if high school. I heard rumors and dismissed them, but kept hearing them, do I finally asked at the beginning of her first semester of college. She said yes, she was pregnant but didn't want to tell me because she was afraid I was be disappointed in her. As someone who struggled with infertility and knows the risk of waiting to long to start a family,, I offered her encouragement. I told her I would rather her have this unexpected joy than to ever know the disappointment of the possibility young not be able to have kids.

(I may have shared that part earlier, but what is next is new.)

So the same girl's best friend came to see me and when I mentioned the pregnant girl this student said "we haven't talked since the summer, the whole thing is disappointing.". I didn't push the subject, but it sounds like they are not linger friends because her friend is having a baby. I am so disappointed for the pregnant girl - it sucks having crappy friends. But I am looking forward to seeing that unexpected joy!

Using the crock pot: Pork Tenderloin, Chili, & Lemon Chicken

I decided I wanted to try a week of crock pot meals ... but I am picky. I am not really a picky eater, but I prefer my food not to look like vomit. (The word vomit makes me think of a particular year of AP Biology.)

What was I talking about? Okay, crock pot meals. Well, the week started off rough because I couldn't prep the meals this weekend. So I made meatloaf Monday ... not in the crock pot ... so the experiment started on Tuesday. (To go with the meatloaf I slaved over boxed mac-n-cheese and roasted squash and zucchini.)

Tuesday's recipe was for brown sugar glazed port tenderloin (I will try to add the link to the recipes next time I am on a real computer - its too much to think about when I am writing posts on my phone!). It was good, but I had to work on the glaze when I got home and ended up spending more time in the kitchen than I wanted.

Wednesday's dinner was chili and salad ... (okay, I have to admit that the chili smelled do good that I forgot we were supposed to have a salad and instead we each had more chili ... confessions are good for the soul.). The chili was easy. I browned the meat the night before (I used deer) and the next morning added the deer, 2 cans of ranch style beans, a can of black beans, a can of Rotel and a packet of taco seasoning. It was very yummy, and quick, but I forgot to wash the crock pot thingy, which complicated my morning this morning.

This morning I prepared lemon chicken in the crockpot. When I got home it just tasted like chicken ... so I got busty trying to fix it. I added a little broth to my big skillet and then sautéed 3 huge cloves of garlic (sliced) in the broth. Then added the rest of the broth and chicken to the skillet (yep, that is another dish I need to wash tonight), and then I added about and ounce of cream cheese and I added garlic powder (I love garlic). Once I topped this yummy garlicky goodness with Parmesan we could finally call it dinner. I mixed in a box of pasta and served it with broccoli and a salad. This could easily serve 6 big portions. (I have included a pic of the chicken pasta even though you can't see much in the pic.)

No what am I going to make tomorrow?

Oh the possibilities

I posted this to the wrong blog on Sunday! The blogger app is pretty good, but sometimes switches blogs on me ...

A pile of scrap fleece and felt = Christmas crafts!

Lack of sleep

"how many different colors of dinosaurs ..". "no I meant how many colors of pumpkins..". So I put on an episode of dinosaur train that involved a trip to the pumpkin patch

Quotes of the night

From Delilah: I puked.

From Stacy's tv show: trying to get help around here is like trying to get bird poop from a cuckoo clock! (but they didn't say poop)

Why do I bother?

I have seen a sign with the following quote,"cleaning house while kids are home is like shoveling the snow while it is snowing.". This is what my living room looks like almost every night ... did I mention I have a 20-month old?

The best sound

The little boy laughing while Daddy is getting him ready in the morning and playing with him

Better than sex cake

I am making Robert's birthday cake. The person who made it for us first called it better than sex cake, but it looks unlike other recipes I have seen for other cakes with the same name. So here is our version ...

1 boxed butter cake mix, prepared
1 can crushed pineapple
1 cup sugar
1 pkg vanilla pudding, prepared
1 pkg cool whip

Once cake baked and cooled, use a fork to poke holes all over cake.

In small pan heat pineapple and cup of sugar. Bring to a boil and pour over cake. Let cool.

Mix pudding and cool whip and pour over cooled cake. Keep cake refrigerated! So yummy! Happy Birthday to Robert!

Grossest parenting moment so far ...

I really didn't know if he could ever top the previous grossest moment. When he was just a few months old he puked so much that he and I were drenched in vomit. And he did a pretty good job covering the couch and carpet as well. And I was home by myself. It was quite the juggle to clean him and me and then the house. But tonight he has topped it!

I smelled him, he had pooped. So I tried to direct him to his room, but he ran into the kitchen and I could HEAR that he was still pooping and I knew this was going to be gross ...

So I went to get him and notice that a little bit of the side of his pants are wet ... then I look down to his shoe ... and there is poop on his shoe ... and on the floor. I watched a video of a human birth three times in Anatomy class today and that was no where near as gross as cleaning poop from him, his clothes, his shoes and the floor!

Xman the builder

He builds structures as tall as he is!

Another dr visit

Well I was apparently misdiagnosed ... I think they should give me a refund for the visit and the medicine I didn't need!

Personal care ...

I have a gross rash ... I know what your thinking ... don't be gross. So went to have it checked out by a doc in the box. He said fungus, and gave me a topical cream for ringworm. I hated it. One day I went to work, and had inadvertently skipped my treatment. Best day of my life! So I thought it was my imagination and put that damned creaming gain. Oh the burning and stinging!!!! Oh Holy Mother! So I started researching this cream - looks like I am allergic to it. So the next day I called the doctor that diagnosed me less than a week before. I talked to a nurse. She said to stop treatment - no sh*t!

Then said she could not prescribe anything else with out collecting another copay, I mean without seeing me again.

So I asked if she could recommend an OTC cream with different active ingredient since I had an upcoming appointment with my normal doctor. She again said she could not recommend anything without collecting another copay ... Man, I messed up again ... I mean without seeing me. I can recommend something to her!

I disregarded her non-recommendations and got something OTC. It is itching like a mo' fo' but I will seethe doctor on Monday and I am about to go and take some benadryl ...

It's probably a doctor that had to cheat in college to make a lower grade in Embryology than I did!

My favorite things ...

Cilantro ... you can never have too much cilantro or garlic. If I ever found a perfume that smelled like cilantro and garlic I might wear purfume. Xman even begs for the cilantro whenever I am cleaning a bunch.

Mom's Kitchen Makeover

Well, maybe it's not a makeover, but it is a new coat of paint! In less than three hours we bought supplies, cleaned off the cabinets, taped, painted and even cleaned up some. Before it was yellow and now it's brown.

For my quiet stalkers ...

Thanks for letting me know you are out there! It's a quiet Friday night at home ... quiet because the little one is asleep and I am about to head to bed and watch two TED Talks. A friend watched and recommended one called "What we learned from five million books" and then I saw one called "doodlers, unite" about how doodling helps to improve our comprehension.

Tomorrow I will be hauling a car-load of people to a garage sale of nothing but baby/kid clothes ... I am so excited! Then maybe painting Moms kitchen, and Mom is coming over for a movie tomorrow night, we will be watching Bridesmaids!

Shaken beliefs

My students were discussing ... Well, I actually can't remember. It's been less than 12 hours and I can't remember.

Anyway they were discussing something,and I heard one student say, "I don't even know what to believe anymore ...". So funny. Maybe I will remember, and do a new post then you can laugh too!

Nightly build

This is a good time, we build, he destroys, we read ... check out our new hat & the shark!

My artist

Pic taken w iPad ...

Having an 18-month old

Having an 18-month old is a fabulous thing ... but he is starting to rebel ... is that possible?

Last night I was wanting to take him to the football game. So after school we had a pep rally, which he attended. Then we spent some time in my classroom. We watched Dinosaur Train and Wallace and Grommet, we snacked and ran and played. Then we went to the volleyball game ... and we went up the stands and down the stands. He wanted to play volleyball, not watch volleyball. I was sweating just from wrestling and chasing him, and we still had an hour and a half until the game! So I gave up. I was not planning on staying for much of the game anyway ... So we got in the car, went to get gas, and started to head home. Then it started raining, so I wouldn't have stayed anyway, but I would like to take him to a ball game and apparently it will not be happening on my timeline!

Footballs

Definitely not the best picture, and not on a cute plate yet, but I am pleased with my first attempt at footballs!

Cakeballs

So, I keep posting pictures of cakeballs on Facebook, and everyone wants to know how to make them. But I never see pics or hear how it went ... I learned everything from the Internet and then trial and error, but I am happy to share what I know.

Bake a cake - cool
Crumble the cake
Mix in icing of your choice a little at a time until it is about the conisitency of play-do. (the Internet will tell you to use the entire can - don't do it! I use at MOST 1/3 a can).
Roll into balls or whatever shape you are making - I scoop mine out with a tablespoon.
Refrigerate.
Dip in chocolate - I use food club brand from brookshires ... It has the best consistency - put it on wax paper.

The balls freeze well before you dip them if you have to make a lot.

1 cakes makes 48 or more at this size.

Finally! I have it all figured out!

Okay ... I don't really have it all figured out. But I did figure out how to switch between my blogs on the new blogger app on my iPad!

I am easily pleased these days!

thanksgiving cupcakes

Source: blog.hellocupcakebook.com via Jeri on Pinterest

I like anything decorated with JellyBellys!!!

cutest cookies for a baby shower

Source: cakejournal.com via Melinda on Pinterest

These would be so cute, so many possibilities ... the only problem is finding a onesie cookie cutter!

Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of adversity | Video on TED.com

Aimee Mullins: The opportunity of adversity | Video on TED.com

The last video I watched tonight.    This video is about the labels we put on people and specifically disabled.  The last six minutes of this video are what I want to show my classes.  She tells a lovely story about the doctor who told her parent she would never walk.  She also talks about students being labeled and the effect on the students and the teachers.  It is always important to remember that a strong sense of self will allow us to accomplish more than we can ever imagine, and that others opinions of us can pull us down if we allow them to do so.

Aimee, you are awesome!!!

Aimee Mullins on running | Video on TED.com

Aimee Mullins on running | Video on TED.com

Then I watched what I am assuming is Aimee's first TED Talk about how she became a runner in college.  Her story is so positive, unique and captivating that it seems to end too quickly. 

Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs | Video on TED.com

Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs | Video on TED.com

Thanks Aimee Mullins for being awesome!  

I recently discovered TED Talks.  It's amazing.  And there are three videos of Aimee Mullins.  I first watched the video about her 12 pairs of legs.  I was wanting to show this in my Anatomy class, but there are pictures of her boobies ... So I am trying to come up with a solution, because it is so inspiring to listen to her.

Chicken Spaghetti for Jill

1 pkg spaghetti
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded or cubed or left over chicken breasts
1 big block of velveeta, cubes
2 cans Rotel, original and mild
1/2 can chicken broth (more if you want to thin it out)

Cook pasta
Melt velveeta, in lg skillet with Rotel and broth.
Add chicken and pasta and stir.
Pour into a casserole dish
Bake at 350 for 30 min or until bubbly.

PR: Pizza Rolls

Source: tidymom.net via Sandy on Pinterest

source: http://tidymom.net/2010/how-to-make-home-made-pizza-rolls/

The I added olives to the first round ... just pepperoni and cheese. But the second round I tried my greek pizza recipe: ground turkey (sauteed with onions and garlic), a box of frozen spinach (thawed & squeezed dry), olives and feta. Then I made tzatziki to dip it in. It was even better - but I think that next time I would add some mozzarella also. To make the tzatziki: 1 container of plain yogurt (drained of excess liquid - I use a mesh strainer and coffee filters to accomplish this), 1-3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 english cucumber (seeded and diced), oregano and lemon juice.

Pinterest recipes: Enchilada Ring

Source: kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com via Sandy on Pinterest

source: http://kellyskornerrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-enchilada-ring.html

Enchilada ring ... this was quite tasty! I skippped the tomato and added salsa instead.

Okay now you are in trouble ...

Trying to text a post ...

Trying to text a post ...

New blogger app!

I was so excited to see that there was a new blogger app.  I immediately came home and installed the app on both my iPhone and my iPad ... then I tried to use them ... It will only post to one of my blogs.  Maybe it's my fault for having more than one blog.  I have one for each of the classes I teach, and a personal blog - this one.  This is the one i want to be able to post to.  Any guesses how I can accomplish that?

How nerdy am I?

I am so nerdy that I have been watching TED Talks nonstop for about a week. Not only that but this talk by James Watson (who discovered DNA) amazes me. I have heard his name for so long. But it seems that we forget that the scientists we learn about in books are real people. This talk totally humanizes him for me. I will now forever remember that there was a girl who dumped him during this time. Warning: he does use an ugly word in the video ... it made me like him even more :)

Productivity

I am trying to be more productive. Yesterday spaghetti sauce almost fell on my head, so today I finally got around to reorganizing the overstocked pantry.

Baby Ideas ...

On vacation, I blogged on Tumblr, because it is much easier to do on my phone -- check out my baby gifts & advice ....

http://www.tumblr.com/tumblelog/seriojacobs

too many memories?

I am currently moving another 2,000 photos and almost 500 videos from my computer to an external hard drive ... when am I supposed to stop taking pictures and videos in order to organize them so I can enjoy them?  I guess I will take the Scarlet O'Hara mind set - I'll think about that tomorrow!

My Favorite Wedding of the Week

I have been to more weddings lately than I have in the past few years.  But last Saturday one of my very good friends, who I miss SO much, had the wedding that every wedding should be.  Congrats and thanks to Lisa & David!!  It always helps when you have friends there with you ...

We ran up to see Lisa before the wedding, and I broke the strap to her dress (straps were only added for the ceremony in the church) when I hugged her.  The reception was a short walk from the church.  There was an amazing snack table with things like gummy bears!!! There were plenty of beverages to go around, including Dr. Pepper!! They had a photo booth, they printed two copies of each strip of photos, one for us and one for Lisa & David.  Someone was taping the photos in and letting you write on the pages.  They weren't in the church forever after the wedding taking pictures.  The made the rounds and we were able to talk to them several times during the couple of hours that we stayed.  There were funny bits ....

And everything was beautiful ...

my favorite place

No Shows

I had three classes in a row not show up today ... so I played.  It has been a long time since I have played like that in the pool.  I attempted to help Chelsea with her underwater photography experiment by letting her take pictures of me, most of which were just scary.  Then I got brave.  I tried to dive.  And I still can.  It has been 18 years since I have competed in diving and I wasn't great then, but I can still do a front dive with a half twist -- my favorite dive!  It may not be great, but I can still do it.  I am sure if Botsy was there I would hear something to the effect of,  "I've seen better form from a beer can thrown off a bridge."

I did not attempt to exit the pool feet first.  Instead, I successfully climbed out at the ladder like an old lady ....

A glamorous job ...

Teaching swim lessons used to mean a couple of cute swim suits, a hat, a few bottles of sunscreen and an awesome pair of sunglasses.  I would teaching standing in thigh deep water, or teaching advanced kids from the deck, and attempting to stay as dry as possible for as long as possible.

That was 17 years ago.

Now swim lessons means Dad keeping Xman at the pool, packing books, food, diapers, & milk, cramming my body into a swim suit that would have fit well about 5 years ago, crawling on my hands and knees in a 18 inches of water, no sunscreen needed because we are teaching at an indoor pool, but it is also colder because the sun is not beating down on you.

We are three days in and I have raw knees, cut feet, and I think I am allergic to my swim suit and chlorine ...

I enjoy teaching little ones to swim and I am pretty good at it ... imagine that ... after only 17 years!  When we moved back I was teaching swim lessons to make extra money in the summer.  Since I have started teaching high school, every year I said it was my last year.  The last few years, it has been a necessity.  I am hoping that I will quit teaching lessons all day every week before I am 40!  (Notice how I am already giving myself some outs there!)  Pray for me ...

Facebook Quote

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid. ~Albert Einstein

Most Awkward Question of Day

Most awkward question of the day during our abstinence video ....

"What is oral sex?"

Student Shirt of the day

Teamwork - a lot of people doing what I say!!

Busy Weekend

I made lots of cake balls this weekend, including rum cake and brownie that were experiments that came out pretty well.  The brownie balls are actually dangerous!

I weeded the back flower bed.  Is it a bad sign when you have to weed with a shovel?? I still a have a little to dig out ...

All the irises out, ready to be moved.  This is why I need to spend Spring Break in the yard.

Sit down!!

cake balls ...

Cake balls

View more presentations from mrsjacobs.

She is never here!

sYou should mark her absent from home when she is here.

Mama Pa Quote of yesterday

If I am paying for anyone to go to the Carribean it will be me.

Xman