My Comfort Food Collection on Pinterest!

Here is my Pinterest board of allll my favorite and yummy treats!! Leave a comment on where I can find YOUR favorite comfort food and I'll send you a free printable (if your user id has an attached email address to it!)!!

And, as always, need a Pinterest invite?? Just pop me your email address and I'll send an invite!

Tootles,
TJ

I LOVE MY LIFE! But I have a secret....

Today I'm using my blog as my diary journal! I {as most of you may well know} have been the suffrage of certain retardos the past few years... I've used my heart and my mind as a shield to barricade myself from the doings of others. And when I came across this quote I knew it was time to share a pizza me piece of me as I promised you months ago that I would.

"I'm not exactly where I want to be right now,

but THANK GOD I'm not where I used to be."

I wish I could credit the author but I just saw it posted somewhere anonymously. It hit me like a strike of lightening!! I have traveled a long way in the last three TEN years and have only now come into a place in my life that is bright, happy & full of possibilities. I am not weighted or burdened with energy-draining life forces that only see the negative or feed upon the down-trodden. I don't trudge through each day waiting "for things to get better." I don't have to tell myself I'm only doing this until the kids are older. I have instead risen in the cream with those that lift me up and are beautiful, kind, decent and loving individuals that I am lucky enough to spend my precious hours {and the rest of my life} with.

I enjoy everyday feeling blessed and fortunate about the absolute loves of my life. I have three darling children that drive me crazy show me unconditional love and light. My amazing friends that no matter thick or thin they remain true and keep me on a solid foundation of trust, loyalty & a healthy dose of butt-kicking if I need it!! My mom & dad who keep me from going under and push me always in a forward motion with love, time, generosity, understanding and encouragement!! And, my gorgeous, dedicated and dear BF that believes in me, makes me feel strong, gives me butterflies, keeps me sane and reminds me that there will always be those that try to pull down a force to be reckoned with. 

My secret?.... Are you sure you can handle it? Some will try to have me believe it's wrong, dirty, preposterous and will get me Hellfire & Damnation (if they actually went to church or believed in the almighty Lord)... or maybe they just mean it's their own vigilante justice? That it's their job to make me live out some kind of personal hell here on earth and remind me how loathsome of a person I am!!??!!

As ALL of this gets screamed from the mountaintops I analyze the damage it bears to my children. Their poor innocent hearts that carry the weight of this mockery. I make myself remember that as our hearts beat together inside my body {10 & 5 years ago} they will forever beat to the same rhythm no matter who tries to intercede and that I will always be the one to beckon them to safety, love, passion and well-being.

If you knew my secret would it change your opinion of me?  Statistically speaking 65% have failed the first time, 76% failed the second time [and a whopping 87% FAIL the 3rd time]!!  But still I don't know if I should say... maybe I should just end here and keep in my happy thoughts of what a beautiful and significant life I have created... hhhmmm..... 

HAHAHAHA! I'm just kiddin' I'm gonna tell ya!! Because honestly folks IT'S THE BEST DAMN THING DECISION I'VE EVER MADE IN MY WHOLE (ENTIRE) L  I  F  E!!

K so now are you ready? Drum roll, please.....................................

I ended my -miserable- marriage!!!  OOOOHHH MY JELLO! OH NO!! My secret is out! I'm a waste of a life and should not be allowed to move on or be H.A.P.P.Y. or live life or enjoy my kids or eat chocolate or swim in the ocean!!!!!!

Granted this was now almost FOUR YEARS AGO!!! and, OF COURSE, when a marriage dissolves and children are involved it is a lose/lose situation. But what better? Stay as I did for seven hellish years {eehh... I will admit the first year & some change was okay... average, mediocre at best} and chug along dying inside a little each day for seventy more??!?? Stay and let my children see that when you keep in a relationship that hurts you, displeases you, dissatisfies you and all you have left is your daily trip to the grocery store to give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning is enough!!?? Never!

I left a loveless union and blazed a new trail! And when you are leaving the one that didn't make attempts to repair the damage as it was happening it makes it very HARD on them to succumb to the reality of their part in the demise. Once they finally become cognizant they are losing you but there is nothing from that point on that can change that fact...what happens you might ask?  Well, it changes them forever.

And sadly, when they are compelled to move on in 2 week's time quickly they may make rash decisions and find a new mate that is more interested in what they offer than in who they are as a person. They will pour over how wronged they were and the depths of the sorrow will sound so true and compelling. They will have all this evidence of only the one side they are pointing the finger at and forget to recall their wrongs, faults, or {oh my!} THEIR blame. And if they find just the right kind of crazy this new person will take on a role of attack dog. They will fore-go any life of their own they could create in happiness and instead spend their time fixating on ruin, turmoil and a constant reminder that HATE is the only method of transaction.

I could write a book (and I've been offered to partner a blog) but I don't know that I want to spend my time looking back. What started with {voice-activated recorders} in my vehicle, speckled in the story are a vulgarly named BLOG to slander & harass me, daily [voyeuristic] internet searches for anything you can google connected to my name and most recently showing up at my family's front door for no apparent reason other than to deceive the children & point blame instead of accepting responsibility, has now finished sharply and led us to exchanges made at the Sheriff's station.... what once were two people solely interested in the care and keeping of their children has now become some kind of manipulative power play from a person insistent on being Alpha. And sadly the mastermind {birdbrain, blockhead, buffoon, clown, dimwit, dunderhead, ignoramus, lamebrain, moron, dumdum, jerk} to "the plan" isn't even a primary member.  Truly the book could end up in a whole mini-series of offspring stories and the three kinds of crazy I have had to tolerate...but, I've kept a journal so maybe someday I'll publish them as memoirs when the cut isn't so close to the surface. And in 30 years time it might be what my beautiful babies will need to answer the ache of all the wasted time they were led down the wrong path.

I only say ALL of this because I want to be clear to my fan(atic)s that it really does no good other than drive yourself completely insane. All this "laughing" you are doing together really just means you have nothing else to "do together."  It's as transparent as a window and not just to me. Lawyers, mediators, judges, therapists, friends, family, complete strangers... Be mindful of the thin line between Love & Hate then try each day to move toward Apathy. You will find it on the farthest end of the emotional spectrum.

As for me... well... I [at the time of my separation] was exhausted of emotion and found indifference way back then. But what I did succumb to in the past was the need to prove treachery and vengeful behaviors as ignorant and arrogant. I don't feel the need to do that anymore. I have cleared out all the garbage made enough adjustments to be at peace with where things are and I don't regret a single moment, thought, action or decision I have made. I smile everyday. I am proud to be where I am. Mom-At-Home using WIC and wanna-be blogger, photographer, chef & seamstress. I still might just open that "illegal" daycare or maybe I'll just "abuse the system" a little bit longer....

I started www.whatnEXtareyou.blogspot.com. It is a research and life study blog designed to allow others to vent their worry, anxiety, frustration & concerns over individuals that choose to invade, stalk, abuse and harass them due to a separation in a relationship, a new mate that is insecure and jealous of their place in the heart of their ex or maybe just envy of a life they wish they had.

This blog is by invitation only. If you would like to join the group you can send your email address HERE.

I appreciate the support I have received in this matter and look forward to helping others.

We may now continue on our merry way with my fun & entertaining posts!! ;)

Tootles,
TJ

Happy National Watermelon Day!

This is very refreshing when sweet watermelons are in season.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar, superfine
• 1 watermelon flesh, cubed and deseeded
• 9 ounces strawberries

Directions

1. Put the sugar and water into a small saucepan and boil until syrupy (about 3 minutes). Allow to cool.
2. Puree the strawberries and sieve to get rid of the seeds. Puree the watermelon and mix with the pureed strawberries and cooled syrup.
3. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze.

For more kid-friendly Annabel Karmel recipes, visit www.annabelkarmel.com or see her cookbooks.

What color is your parachute???

I chuckle when I remember this course in high school....

It's still going strong in 2011 and has branched off into retirement, recession-proof, workbooks, seminars, etc.!!

Looking back I recall after filling in all the bubbles being led down the path of {educator}... it didn't appeal to me. Granted, at the time, I was working in the Senior program childcare class, went to be a 6th grade camp counselor and spent many Saturday nights babysitting. But it didn't appeal to me!!!?? hhhmmm....

I think of it now and even with the budget cuts and teachers losing their jobs it's still only one of few paid positions where you could practically mirror your children's schedule and take all the same breaks & holidays!!

What was I thinking exactly??!!??

I know of many that have gone into teaching even after achieving a degree for another intended career path. And in the same amount of time I have been an administrative assistant, retail manager, waitress, bartender, graphic artist, wellness consultant & dispatch supervisor. None of which are conducive to raising children if you want to be more mommy and less zombie.

I've never ever had a serious desire or passion to do this one special pursuit or attain any certain level of achievement... am I the only one?

But my deadline has approached!! My dear BF and I were of the same mind that once Little A was a year old I would get back into a line of work that would be focused around the kids and so far I've narrowed compiled the list:

Massage Therapist

Phlebotomist

Medical Transcriber

Real Estate Agent

Unique Childcare Provider [Drop n Shop]

Or just go back to a supervisory part-time job with benefits at good ole UPS, waitress at my old stomping grounds in AG!?...or more recently was discussing Starbucks barista with  good friend! Yummm!! hehe I would drink my paychecks away there!! haha

I love all the input I get from friends, family & complete strangers about being "Martha Stewart" and the delightful sentiments about my ideas and the fun things I do with my kids! And a long term goal is to be like all the blog goddesses that I drool over each morning with my coffee... 3-4 digit followers, rows and rows of ad space, sponsored projects...aaahhhh... that is my dream job if I've ever had one! But until then...

Practical, logical reality rears its ugly head and says PAY THE BILLS WOMAN!!

So far I'm leaning way over towards my Drop n Shop idea and a little towards the massage field... your thoughts, love or ideas are greatly appreciated!! Or just tell me... What Color Is Your Parachute?

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tootles,

TJ

OMJ! Oh My Jello ;)

We made Banana Berry Jello yesterday! This is the pic before we put the bananas in our Berry Blast Jello...

About 20 minutes into chilling we put in sliced bananas then 4 hours later added whipped cream for the perfect "ice cream cone" of jello!

Yummmmm!

Tootles,
TJ

Slough off the winter with a little scrubba scrubba scrubba!!

The fam and I visited The Luffa Farm over the weekend in Nipomo.

If you haven't been there you really must go!! We were shocked to see what a luffa really is and how it grows.

We picked a luffa and a yummy scented soap from the store before we left (with our free geranium clippings to boot!!) Amazing the difference between a store bought and a natural luffa but I'll leave you to find all that out when you go.

As I was scrubbing away the day it reminded me that I used to make a killer body scrub!! Back in the day before I was chasing my sweet little beans I used to do a lot of things that I somehow forgot about. hehe Now that little A is getting older and M & W are much more independent I find I have time I didn't have before now!

I decided to give it a whirl and just used what I had laying around the house to make my first batch:

Here's my recipe:
1 C oil (your choice*)
1 C brown sugar
4 chai tea bags (break all of it out of the bag and finely ground - mine was from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf)
1 t cinnamon

I ground up the chai tea fine in my coffee grinder and combined all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl then added the oil until it got to a consistency that I liked. After mixing it all up I transferred it to a cute jar I had (I keep alllllll my jars, cups, bowls... between kids and crafts we find a use for any and everything. The cousins are over so just today the girls rummaged through my bin to find little bottles to make "face paint".. maybe I'll post on that one next!!)

I keep my jar in the fridge to last longer (usually about 4-6 weeks). These make awesome gifts or party favors!! And the mixture is great for quick at-home pedi's too!!!

I think the kids and I will mess around with some new fun recipes this week. I'll keep you posted!!

Hope you give it a try and then show me some comment love about how yours turned out!!

Tootles,
TJ

*Note about the oil you choose: Really any lightly scented oil will work. I've used olive, almond, grapeseed and apricot in the past. You can also get unscented body oils from a beauty supply.. whatever works.

I shared with:

Yesterdays FB Question...

Yesterday I asked...

Q: Can your home house children & beautiful décor? How can we keep our nice things nice and our clean things clean??

A: Yes. But only if you have bulk loads of stain remover, a large quantity of gorilla glue, and have more patience than Mother Teresa heeheeheehee hahahahahaha

Actually there are a simple set of rules (I like rules) or guidelines to keep your house, your things, and your sanity.

K.I.S.S.

Not sure where I heard this first but KISS is an acronym for the design principle "Keep it simple, Stupid!". Other variations include "keep it short and simple", "keep it simple AND stupid" or "keep it simple and straightforward". The KISS principle states that simplicity should be a key goal in design, and that unnecessary complexity should be avoided.

And really… KISS is so true in all or most parts of life.

This means NO Knick Knacks, chotchkies, or small breakable fragile items within a 20-30-40” reach. Don’t expect a child to resist your grandmother’s favorite candy dishes on the coffee table or your great uncle’s Hummels on the entry room bench.

Give them the lesson before the mistake

I have found it best to decorate while the kids are at school or asleep. That way it gives you a window of time before they go on high alert to destroy once they’ve seen the target. Sometimes I get away without even them noticing! And if they do come upon my newest treasure we talk about how much mommy loves it and I ask them if they like it too. If at that point they want to pick it up or touch it I let them as I remind them how pretty it looks and then that’s when I hit them with the lesson! BAM!

And pay attention because you’ve got to get it right!! I say...

"I looove this (insert "new thing" here) and Momma would be SO sad if it got ruined, or broken."

This way I am letting them in on a part of the house that is important to me and it makes it important to them.

I’ve seen it in action already even between the kids! M & W bought new toothbrushes the other day and they both wanted the exact same newest greatest glowing, multi-color, swirly light up version. And the first thing M said to W when they were at home putting them away, “W! I love this toothbrush! And if you break it I will make you buy me a new one!”…

Ok.. so it’s NOT exactly as I put it or intend the lesson when I share my feelings for a new item in the home but you get the idea. Wink wink.

How do you keep the “art” from taking over like the Blob?

That’s simple! Even since M was little we have always “displayed her art” in a prominent part of the house for a specific amount of time (usually a week or two.. maybe 3 if I don’t feel up to taking it down and organizing it)

Currently our art display is this:

Once it’s time to come down…

Each child has a box or three like this:

They are available at Michaels (I got mine when they were on sale for about $7/ea), probably JoAnns… It’s a scrapbook paper organization case. They stack great and I even use them in the kids closet for the top shelf to keep sweaters & other misc. stuff organized. At this point I decide what stays and what goes. I’ve never really put the vote to the kids but when we go back through their boxes they are always pleased with the selections. I’m sorry if I offend the mom that keeps EVERYTHING but I’m exhausted by the amount of paper that comes home so I keep it to the stuff that really means something or shows signs of being a sentimental favorite. Remember… KISS

And what about the TOYS! Ugh…

I could go two ways with this one… tell you how I handle it now… or tell you how I’m changing this up and will have put in place by the time summer is over… hhmm… lets go with the new theory!!

No toys in their bedroom!!!! Yup you heard me! Zero. Zip. Nada!! Well.. maybe some books...

I have an extra room in the back of the house that will encompass all the kids toys. All the noise, clutter & debauchery can take place in a room totally out of view from any vantage point inside our home.

This will allow the kids rooms to be what they are meant to be. A place of rest. Of peace. Of solitude. Aren’t those our favorite things about our bedrooms?

I'm a pinning fool on Pinterest as I decide how to re-do the kids rooms sans toys! They have always been the staple in their rooms and so tends to be the main theme of the room. I Loooove Pinterest! Don't you!!? If you haven't joined the craze yet but would like to check it out, send me your email address and I will send you an invitation!

So after I tackle the chore of de-toying the kids rooms I will be put to the task to blend this:

 with this:

because of the varying ages of our children. I will keep you posted on my progress!!

Have a “No Kid Zone”

Designate one area of your home that is just your own. No kids, Not today, Not tomorrow, Not never.

Try not to have it look like this allllll the time....

How do I do it all?

Baking, blogging, child-rearing, laundry, boo-boo’s, emails, lunchtime, crafts, toilet-scrubbing… you name it I do it. Don’t get me wrong.. the darling bf does his fair share of laundry and cleaning up spills but there is only one answer to that question…

I DON’T. And I’m okay with that.

Life is short and as you age it goes by faster and faster so no matter what else is going on it’s family first. As I am new & still in the learning curves of it all… blogging, decorating, and my craft business are ways for me to build a little business with my family in mind, not only to make a little money for us, but also... because those things make me HAPPY! :)

And you know what they say... "If Momma ain't happy........"  haha

It’s not all rainbows and butterflies but when you love what you do it makes it all worth while!!

Just don’t bug me when I haven’t had any sleep or coffee and am stuck in a laundry rut with no milk in the house!! heehee

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