Vodka Eyeballing

SOOOOOOOoooo, I think I have stated before that I love Hoda and Kathie Lee, they are just a babbling bunch, and half of what they say doesn't make sense, but I love that they always seem they are having fun. Much of their show focuses on alcohol because they are quite the drinkers, but today they turned the tables and did a warning story on "Vodka Eyeballing" which I have NEVER heard of, and quite honestly, I wish I never had because it makes me very scared for what the future holds for my kids.

Apparently college students are doing shots of vodka through their eye because they think it will make them get drunk faster. WHAT???? The videos are terrible and make me kind of want to throw up, but I think it is important to be aware of the trends that are out there, whether they be bad or good.

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Thanks Hoda and Kathie Lee!

Who Are All These Walkers?

Being the private school snob that I am, I never lived close to my school, we had to drive, my parents drove me to school every morning until I was old enough to drive myself. (What a glorious day that must have been for my parents!) I never paid an ounce of attention to cross walks, how many people were riding bikes, HOW OLD the children riding bikes were, etc.

Present day. . .I drive my Kindergartener to school EVERY DAY. We go through the drop off line, he gets out, looks back and waves (that is going to end so soon, so I eat it up and wave like a crazy psycho back), and hurries off to class. I watch him go through the gates, and I know other than holding his hand and walking him to his door (which there are some parents who do, but that is teaching ZERO independence) I did the best I could in making sure he got to school safely!

Then I drive back to my house and see OODLES AND OODLES AND OODLES of children (all age ranges) walking and riding their bike. Today I saw a girl who looked like she was in 5th grade carrying this HUGE project, all dressed up in a skirt and dress shoes, walking to school. The other day I saw a girl riding her bike while balancing her violin on her lap. What are the parents doing that they can't drive their kid to school on the day the student has music or a special project due? I would like to think that the answer is working, and for this I am INCREDIBLY thankful that I am able to stay home. I may not like it every day. I may go to bed almost daily thinking I did a terrible job. I may not go on fancy vacations or drive a nice car, but I know that if my kids need a ride to school, I am available. I am pretty sure that if my kids walked to school, I would have to call the office every morning and make sure that they made it.

CONFESSION Wednesday

I have to admit, I HATE green peppers, red peppers, orange peppers, yellow peppers, whatever color, I hate them. I have tried and tried and tried again, but I just don't like them. I give people a really hard time about not liking foods, so I feel a little guilty not liking a food myself, so when I make all the Pioneer Woman recipes from her cookbook, I include ALL of the ingredients, and with the Chicken Spaghetti, it worked out, I couldn't taste them, and they add a lot of flavor to the meal. If you follow me on twitter, you know that last night I felt like I was going to puke. I had to literally go to sleep and stop thinking about all of the peppers I had eaten and included in the Migas. I seriously thought I was going to vomit. There are no more recipes with peppers, THANK GOD, but I do not like them Sam I am.

I am making Fried Chicken and Rosemary Potatoes this weekend. I am planning on going hiking first and not eating all day so that I can seriously ENJOY this meal!

Ten on Tuesday-Birthday Wish List

I don't know about anyone else who posted a Christmas List, but I had such a Merry Christmas because people were able to pick and choose from the list I posted, and I ended up getting some amazing things, so for those of you interested in getting me a birthday present, here's a list for you!

1. Bike, used to think I wanted a beach cruiser, but those are trendy, so really any bike will do!

2. Brita Water Pitcher Apparently I was wrong, I researched and I would like a Zero Water Pitcher-Thanks Kristy!-I think I would drink much more water if I had some refrigerated cold water that didn't taste like butt.

3. The Pioneer Woman's New Book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, it is being released on Feb 1st, just in time to celebrate me cooking through the ENTIRE cookbook (only about 15 recipes left-I CAN DO IT!)

4. Cooking Light Cookbook to cook my way through during year 31! I had plenty of fun eating butter, heavy cream and shortening this year, it is time to focus on being healthy!

5. Dutch Oven-a really BIG, nice one. Le Crueset apparently has a store at the Anthem Outlets if anyone is dying to get me one, I bet you could get a smoking deal on one there!

6. Emily from The Bachelor to find true love with a wonderful, wonderful man. I am just smitten with her. I love everything about her. Even if she wears shorts while rocking a leather jacket and scarf. I don't care-her story is heartbreaking, and I want nothing but the best for her.

7. A gym membership!

8. The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) also wrote a children's book that will be released in April (I will take a rain check!). I am just in love with this woman, what doesn't she do! You can get a glimpse of it here! I think it may become the staple gift I give for the holidays now. After all, I have already given everyone a copy of her cookbook, next comes the novel and children's book!

9. Spring Training Tickets-I don't care so much about what team, more concerned with the hot dogs and beer!

10. For The Pioneer Woman to tweet me on my birthday, congratulating me on cooking my way through the cookbook! DIE OF HAPPINESS!

On the Tucson Tragedy

I wasn't going to write on the topic, but after I sat and watched the Memorial Service last night, I knew I had to write something to remember how AMAZING and WONDERFUL it was to feel like we really were the United States of America and not so severely divided down the middle! I am sure it was a big show, and things will go back to "normal" really soon, but God I hope not. I think it is time for some fresh candidates, candidates that embraced the "united" mentality. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could just tell everyone they were not welcome back and elect new people for the positions that are not endorsed or labeled a Republican or Democrat. I know it would never happen, and it would be a colossal mess, but it is just such a refreshing thought. I hope the victims didn't die in vain. I hope that this country got the wake up call it really needed. Personally, I don't think anyone on the outside caused the tragedy. I think the shooter was really mentally disturbed, and he had his own agenda, and he was not serving other's needs or desires, he was only thinking of himself. Which brings me to another point. I REALLY hope that this country stops putting such a stigma on psychological disorders. I wish we would embrace those who struggle mentally and get them the help they need instead of being "afraid" to admit that we or our loved ones may need help. This country is in turmoil, and I don't like it. I don't like that it takes a tragedy for us to pull together and help one another, act like we are united, look like we are united. I know that we can do it. I think it is time to stop thinking, "What is best for me?" "How will this affect me?", and it is time to start thinking about what is best for everyone.

Southwest Salsa

I think I told you awhile ago that Tyler's teacher was selected to have her salsa recipe published in January's issue of Southern Living. Well, it came in the mail, and I can't wait to try it. But FIRST, I thought I would share it with you-WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE TO WORK IN THEIR TEST KITCHEN! Just click on the picture to enlarge it!

"These are a Few of My Favorite Things"

1. Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish-in a word-AMAZING! Seriously, it does what it says, it dries almost instantly. Great for thsoe little toddler fingers and toes that don't want to sit still after their manis and pedis!




2. Umberto Dry Shampoo-in my old age, my hair is getting REALLY greasy, this helps make me able to run my kids to school without having to shower. The grease DISAPPEARS-LOVE IT!




3. Vick's Warm Mist Humidifier-seriously, my kids would have frozen to death without it this week, and it has been working overtime. Tyler's room is relatively small, so with both of them sleeping in there, combined with all the fleece, humidity and stuffed buddies, they have been keeping quite warm at night.




4. Hanes Sweatshirts for the Kids from Target-I think I got them on sale for like $3 at the beginning of the season, they have been washed a million times, and they are still soft as the dad I got them!

Stingray Sushi

I did it! I went to one of the restaurants off my list of restaurants I was DYING to try, and it did NOT disappoint! I love my list too because when Alissa called and told me to choose a place for lunch, I just went to my list and suddenly had tons of ideas!

I had heard from others that Stingray Sushi was relatively expensive, but I am never really turned off by that because I love the Tootsie Roll (although I am pretty sure that more and more places are calling it the Crab Crunch Roll or Crunch Roll these days), and the Tootsie Roll can range anywhere from 7-12 dollars depending on location, and I am willing to pay anywhere in that range. I don't eat any sort of expensive fish or tons of it, so I am probably not the best judge of sushi, but I LOVED their rolls. We stuck with a Philadelphia Roll, Tootsie Roll (or Crunch Roll), and one amazing roll that was topped with jalapenos and served with a sweet chili sauce. GREAT combination of flavors!

Now, I have to admit my most favorite thing about the Biltmore location was the patio. I am not a huge fan of patios. I don't normally like to eat my food outdoors, but OMG, the over sized couches that served as "booth" like seating for the tables were soooooooooooo comfortable. I felt like I was just lounging at home talking to my friend Alissa. It was amazing. I was just happy we went before the big cool down because in my opinion it was the PERFECT temperature on the patio December 28th!

Hurry over to Stingray Sushi soon!

Starting Off the New Year With a List

A list of things that apparently I am the only person qualified to do in the house.

1. Flush toilets. It never fails that there is SOMETHING in the toilet every time I go to the bathroom.

2. Change light bulbs. They will be burnt out for months, when I finally do it, Patrick says, "Oh, I was just getting ready to do that!" Sure you were NOT!

3. Put socks in the hamper/laundry. My kids are pretty good about putting their dirty clothes where they belong, but it never fails I find socks strewn about the house.

4. Taking the used washcloths out of the shower/bath. They collect into a gigantic mountain until I wash them and put them away.

5. Grocery shopping. I seriously don't even let Patrick attempt this because I get about fifteen phone calls while he is there, so it is not even worth it. I have to be on my death bed to ask him to go.

6. Throwing away empty bottles of shampoo, body wash, conditioner, face wash, etc. AGAIN, another pile.

7. Doing Tyler's hair. I am sure one day she will want to do her own hair, and I will miss this, so I try to enjoy it, but it would be nice if Pat could do a ponytail every now and then.

8. Remember EVERYTHING!

That's all I can think of right now, although I am sure there are many more. I will fully admit there are things that I absolutely REFUSE to do. Taking out the trash is one of them. REFUSE! I hate trash cans, and I pile it up next to the trash can until a certain someone takes it out. Wouldn't it be fun if Patrick had a blog, how many of you want to hear "his side" of the story! Boo! Mine is the right one anyway!