Positive...For Sure!

Day 50

The happiest little pink line has spoken. My sister Shannon is PREGNANT!

I think I'm more excited about this than when I was pregnant.

Okay- now on to planning a baby shower...

Oh Shanny...we are so happy for you and Steve.

Janet

Birthday

Day 49
My Grandma, Hazel Parr, turned 95 today. She is still a spry, active woman who loves to shop and have lunch with her friends in the "Red Hat Society." She watches basketball every night and talks with a luxurious southern drawl and wears designer perfume. She is an elegant lady. Today I learned that I don't need to know it all now. I am convinced that the reason my Grandma is still so together is because she found that perfect balance between enthusiastic learning and just being. Today I decided that from now on I'm going to pace myself a little. No more being frustrated if I don't know this or that. Who cares if I don't know what I want to do when I grow up? In 69 years, when I'm 95, I'll know what I need to know-and that will do.

While we're on the subject of birthdays I would also like to honor my mom whose birthday was yesterday. Happy Birthday to you, my ever patient, loving, timeless mom. I love you.


Janet

Exciting!

Day 48

Okay-I know I promised that today's post would be better but unfortunately I can't share what I've learned today until it's been shared by mouth with some other people first. But it's awesome. So completely exciting. I am giddy right now.

Janet

Sleep

Day 47 (02/25/10)

I learned last night that if I close my eyes, even if I think it's just for a moment, I won't open them again until the light of day. And I won't get around to writing in my blog. Today's post will be better...I promise.

Janet

Sick Beds (as seen in the 11/09 issue of O)

Day 46
Today I learned that the World Health Organization just upgraded tanning beds to the top tier of most dangerous carcinogens. Do you know what else is in that tier? Mustard Gas and Arsenic. ARSENIC! So next time you take your pasty butt to the tanning salon keep in mind that your risk for developing melanoma (skin cancer) just went up 76% (O magazine, 11/2009, pg 106). And if you think skin cancer is just an ugly freckle that can be removed by a dermatologist- you're wrong. Check this out to find more on cancerous melanoma. Please get your facts from sources like this instead of listening to the employees at these salons- an 18 year old with the playboy bunny emblem tanned into her butt that gets payed to tell you that tanning beds are safe. I am the first to think a tan is beautiful. Every time I watch Giada de Laurentis on Everyday Italian, I just want to throw something at her out of jealousy. But I have to remind myself that she is Italian and comes by it naturally, and I am as far from the olive-skinned beauty as one could be. I am ashamed to say that I have visited a tanning bed in the past, and proud to say that I will NEVER do it again. Okay-so I'm as milky as white chocolate. At least I don't have cancer breathing down my neck.

This is me tonight...basking in my pasty, healthy skin.



I had a dream last night that my Dad died from a heart attack. Before he took his last breath he told me that he didn't get to do what he had always planned to do if he had just one more day to live. I never did figure out what that was but it got me thinking-what would I do if I just had one more day to live? I know you've thought about it, and maybe even answered it. But I'm curious and not asking rhetorically- what would you do?





Janet

Taco Tuesdays

Day 45

I learned today that you can't order the 75-cent tacos that they offer on Tuesdays at Jose Muldoons for take-out. I also learned that a little bat of the eyes and you can get 75 cent tacos for take-out.

Thanks

Water

Day 44 (2/22)

As much as I enjoyed his company, I learned that it's a good thing that Trenton GOES to work. He worked remotely from our home and let's just say that this zoo doesn't need another monkey during the days!

This was funny though- Emma said to Trenton in a very urgent tone, "Daddy-your water broke!"

Ha!

Janet

Family History

Day 43

Today I learned about doing genealogy. Mama Foote and my brother Bill taught us how to search back into our past. Trenton was able to find family that dated back to 1518.

Here is a little bit of my family history. Me, Emma, my niece Hannah, my sisters Shannon and Cathy and my Mom.

This is a picture of the imprint that a tupperware full of coleslaw left tonight. I'm not even joking. I think the universe is reminding me to cheer up.

I also learned a new recipe...

Bake One tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough according to the directions on the wrapper.
Top with the icing (8 oz cream cheese, two Tbsp lemon juice, 2 cups confectioner sugar).
Add whatever fruit you've got in whatever design you'd like.


Janet

Vocabulary

Day 42

Today Emma walked in the house after we'd been out for a while and quickly held her hand over her nose and said, "Mommy it reeks in here!" Trenton asked, "What does it smell like?" "Um...poop."

Ahhhh...I laughed so hard. In her defense-the house does reek because I had been frying bacon (not poop) before we left. But how funny that she understands the word "reek." It also dawned on me (once I stopped feeling the burn of carbonation from the soda that shot out of my nose when I laughed at what Emma said) that my baby has a colorful vocabulary. How proud I am that instead of simply saying, "Mommy, it is stinky in here," she chose to amp up her description with such a fun word. Think of what an interesting girl she'll be if she takes that creativity with her throughout her life. Okay-so I understand that so many of my posts are about my babies, but every time they learn something new, I learn right along with them. Like today, for instance- The lesson I learned today was that I can no longer spew the accidental four letter word when I get a nasty paper cut because those words are much worse than reek, and no two year old's vocabulary needs to be that colorful.

On a completely separate, has-nothing-to-do-with-learning-it's-just-funny, note...It has been snowing today and is supposed to get worse tomorrow. I actually caught myself saying a silent prayer that church would be cancelled. I prayed...to God...that church would be cancelled. I'm sure he thought that was funny.

Janet

Heart Sick

Day 41

Today I learned that being a busy body is actually good for your heart! Your mood is apparently directly related to your ticker (which isn't novel news) but recent studies are finding that loneliness can increase a woman's risk of having a heart attack by 76%. What they are suggesting is that all those nights I spent by myself polishing off that box of Little Debbie's was actually doing damage to my heart...in more ways than one. Crap!

Janet

Reference-http://health.yahoo.com/featured/82/protect-your-heart-at-every-age/

French Onion Soup

Day 40

Today I learned how to make traditional French onion soup. What a slow, glorious cooking process. Such a heavenly marriage between golden broth, bubbly cheese and crispy bread. Every person that walked in my house today took deep, delicious whiffs of the caramelizing onions and buttery cheese. And the meal only cost about 50 cents a person.

Here is the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/french-onion-soup-recipe2/index.html

Janet

Mind Over Body

Day 39

Today I learned that the mind really does control the body. There isn't anything we can't do when we put our brains to work. You're one of my heroes Lindsay Vonn!

I also learned that Emma's dolly's name is "Too Old." I asked several times to be sure I heard her right-and she'll correct you if you're wrong. "My baby's name is TOO OLD Mommy!"

Janet

Stir-Fry

Day 38

Today I experimented and made a very yummy stir-fry. For lack of creativity I'll call it...

Janet's Noodle Stir-fry

1 Box thick spaghetti
1 stalk celery sliced on a bias
1 bag frozen or fresh whole green beans
thinly sliced carrots
3 eggs
3 boneless chicken breasts (boiled first to help maintain the moisture)
1 small onion finely chopped
Seasoning from 1 pack of ramen (whatever flavor you'd like)
1/4 vegetable oil
1/4 soy sauce
two Tbsp brown sugar
pinch of red pepper flakes

Saute the vegetables in the sauce and seasonings on high. Add cubed chicken and toss in boiled noodles and eggs to scramble. You may need to add more salt and pepper to taste but the soy sauce adds a lot of flavor. You really could use whatever vegetables and meat you've got in the house. I can't imagine anything overpowering the flavor of the sauce.

Enjoy!

Janet

"EVER!"

Day 37

Today I learned that Emma understands the meaning of the word, "ever". She was caught eating cherry scented lotion today and Trenton said to her later this evening, "We don't eat lotion right?", to which she replied, "EVER!" I'm glad she threw that in there...good to know that she gets the fact that there aren't some occasions where eating lotion is acceptable.

Janet

New Site

Day 36

Today I found this website http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/jokes/jokes_thought_day.htm#Funny_Thought_for_the_Day_-_Miscellany. Hilarious! My favorite quote for the day is, "By the time I make ends meet, they move the ends."

Story of my life!

Janet

Happy Valentine's Day!

The Perfect Ending

Day 35

This is actually my post for yesterday. For some reason all of the Internet sites I tried working on were "temporarily unavailable", which is especially frustrating when one of those sites is your bank-and you pay your bills online! Anyway, Trenton treated me to the most romantic weekend in Denver. We got to stay at the Embassy Suites, see the movie "Valentine's Day", and have dinner at my favorite restaurant "The Cheesecake Factory". We had a delicious breakfast the next morning, lingered at the hotel for a while, and then he took me shopping. While we were standing in line at Old Navy I said to him, "shopping is the perfect ending to a perfect weekend." Then we went and picked our kids up from Diana's (thanks again Diana and Brittany. Thank you so much!) and got them loaded in the car. Both of them fell asleep before we were out of the driveway and as I looked back at Emma's little sleepy face I couldn't help but say, "I was wrong earlier-this is the perfect ending." So that's what I learned today (yesterday)...Getting away from my kids for even just a night makes me love them so much more. Ha!

Janet

Rest In Peace Turtle

Day 34
I don't know if you remember my earlier post about Turtle, but today I woke up to a very bittersweet phone call. It was the humane society claiming that they had a cat that matched the missing report I had filled out almost a month ago. For a split second I was ecstatic. The voice on the other end then told me that this kitty was dying from renal failure and I needed to come down to authorize her being euthanized. I rushed my babies over to my mom's and headed straight there. Within seconds of my arrival-before I could get back to be with her, she passed away. They did take me back to see her, and it was indeed Turtle. Her precious little body was still warm and she looked peaceful. This cat had such a hard life. She was only a year old and had already birthed babies and lived as a scavenger on the streets. Her only reprieve was the brief time she spent with us. And I would like to think that made her life worth living. She brought joy to my children and enjoyed a warm, cozy Christmas with people that loved her. Unfortunately, during the time after she ran away she survived two nasty snow storms and endless freezing nights. She was a runt to begin with so being exposed to such elements was especially painful. It's so sad, to know that she was picked up only a block away from my house. This whole time she was so close. I have driven to the humane society every three days for the past month looking for her. I even made Trenton go door-to-door in our neighborhood in search of her. How tragic that she was brought in last night, finally safe from the cold, and she passed this morning. I am grateful for the closure, but I just feel sick. I have learned a couple things today.

1. After seeing what I saw today I am so thankful that all of the humans in my life are healthy and safe. I know it will happen sooner or later, a family member passing, but for now I am grateful we are all well.
2. 40,000 animals were euthanized last year in COLORADO ALONE. 40,000!
3. 60 dogs and 50 cats are brought into the Humane Society EVERY SINGLE DAY!

We have got to do something! For starters-get your pets spayed or neutered!

When I walked into my mom's house to pick up the kids I noticed Emma sitting quiety on the couch next to Oliver-my mom's cat. Emma hadn't notice me yet so I watched her for a moment as she caressed her own face with his feather-duster tail. Then she leaned over to kiss him. Poor girl-she's destined to be just as in love with animals as her mother, and that kind of love can often lead to a broken heart.

I am off now, to listen to some Nirvana, Bush, Pearl Jam, and all the other music I listen to when I'm feeling things that are bigger than I can handle.

Janet

Recipes

Day 33

My mom came over tonight because she needed my help editing some of her recipes. I have to admit that I was getting a little frustrated having to type such seemingly insignificant details-even down to which utensils to use. But then a realization washed over me. These are not just recipes. To a woman (especially a woman that has been using these tried and true recipes for 45 years) these recipes are the essence of who she is. I imagine each recipe reminds her of all the times she used it, all the people she's treated to it, and all the parties she's brought it to. I'm sure they remind her of whoever gave her the recipes, how she fed her six children with them, and how much excitement and anticipation she feels each time she thumbs through her box of broth and batter stained index cards to find that perfect combination of ingredients and directions. These are not just recipes and my mom continues to remind me that when someone gives you a recipe-they are giving a generous amount of memories along with it, and a delicious representation themselves.

Mom's Red Cake

Given to my mom by my grandma, Hazel Parr-a true southern woman.

Cake Batter

3/4 cup Butter

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

3 eggs (added one at a time)

3 ounces Red food coloring

3 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 1/2 Tbsp vinegar

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 3/4 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes

Frosting

2 cups milk

10 Tbsp flour

Cook on medium heat and let cool.

2 cups sugar

2 cups butter

2 tsp vanilla

Mix and add cooled flour mix

First prepare two round 9'' pans with Crisco and flour. If red food coloring is not desired, just add 3 ounces of water instead. Mix ingredients in order and pour into cake pans. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes and then turn pans and cool completely. Make the frosting while the cakes are cooling. If you want to, double the frosting recipe and slice both cakes in two, or pour 3 cake pans with less batter. This way you have a larger, richer cake.

Janet

Moving On

Day 32

Please-If you haven't already, please rent "Love Happens". Until today I hadn't seen it. Such a beautiful movie.

Everyone has their own version of letting go of the past, but this movie had one of the best-

"You can't move forward when you've got your eyes in the rear view mirror."

We all do it. It's human nature to act based on what has happened to us in the past. The whole point is to learn from our mistakes and use those lessons to change what we do in the future. So why do so many of us carry this proverbial baggage with us everywhere we go, throughout every day of our lives? And why do we look at it as baggage? Why not sculpt it into something more positive-like fuel for an even better future. Instead of viewing it as something that adds weight to our shoulders-we could treat it as a very important ally in becoming who we hope to be. Well-no matter how you view your past-the quote is true. It is both figuratively and literally impossible to look forward and behind simultaneously.

Janet

Career Path

Day 31

Today, just for the heck of it, I took a career test. I had actually never done it before. The results suggested I pursue these 5 career choices:

• Teacher
• Journalism
• Musician
• Performing Arts
• Communication

It just so happens that I am a music teacher that earned a B.A. in communication and lives and breathes the performing arts.

Spooky...

Janet

Homemade Oreos and a Darling Baby

Day 30

Today I learned and tested a recipe. It's for homemade oreos. The beautiful thing about this recipe is that you can make it with any flavor cake mix and you can flavor the icing as you'd like. Oh...and they were DELICIOUS!

Cookie

1 box cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbs flour

Mix and drop small rounds of dough and bake at 350 for 6 minutes.

Icing

2 cups confectioner sugar

1/4 room temperature butter

1/4 vegetable oil

1 Tbs vanilla

Cream the butter and add sugar. Add oil and vanilla last. Spread the icing between two cookies. I think I'm going to try strawberry cake mix next time-for Valentine's day.

Oh-and I realized that I have one of the most darling baby boys in history.

Janet

Downtown

Day 29

Today I learned that you shouldn't be downtown after midnight. My friend's mom used to always say that "the devil comes out after midnight." Well- if the "Devil" she speaks of involves liquid courage, blood, and police officers...she was right.

Janet

P.S. Trenton and I were just observers but that was enough to remind us that our boring life is plenty exciting enough for us. Love you guys-hope you don't feel too bad in the morning!

Fed Up

Day 28

Today I hit the wall. I am so sick of doing this blog. I don't want to do this anymore.

But...unlike all the other diet and money related resolutions I've made throughout my lifetime, I am not quitting this one.

I learned today just how much Emma observes me. While playing with her toy kitchen she was putting a plate full of fries in the microwave. She almost put the plastic (but made to look silver) fork in too but caught herself and placed that on the counter as she nuked the fries. She then armed herself with a hot mitt and carefully pulled the "hot" plate out of the microwave and blew on it until the temperature was palatable. To top off all this cuteness she grabbed the pretend salt shaker and sprinkled a healthy portion on my fries. Once I finished my treat she took my plate and cleaned the dishes and towel dried them. I am both totally freaked out and excited about the power I have to lead her by example.

Janet

Emotional

Day 27

Today someone said something that will forever be with me. "If every single person on this earth helped just one other person-no one would be in need."

Even if you're not the slightest bit religious-please watch this link.

Love,
Janet

"Just Give Me Tomatoes and Mashed Potatoes...

Day 26
...give me the simple life"

Okay-today I came across a blog all about a man, a lawyer, who decided to give up the excess of material comforts he had grown accustomed to, leave his job, and take on a simpler life. The title of this blog is "Voluntary Simplicity." Please, I encourage you to google the words voluntary simplicity (or just click on the two words to the left) and see what this is all about! What I didn't know until today is that this is an actual lifestyle...that real people live. Now I'm not going to go sell all my belongings on craigslist and start a crusade for becoming a nomad that just lives by the seat of her pants. I love my things and I'll never stop wearing make-up. For me, completely changing my lifestyle would be terribly scary and complicated which would completely undermine the whole process of simplicity. But unless you're a die hard, I don't think that's necessary. We can't all quit our stressful jobs and step out of reality. We can't avoid the dentist, or the doctor, or all the other things that worry us. But I do think that we can take a few steps each day toward a life that is less cluttered, and a little less hurried. Don't you think we'd all be more productive if we were doing things, and surrounding ourselves with people we love? Another thing that really rings true to me is the word "voluntary". These have been a couple of the worst years financially for almost everyone in the free world. I don't know anyone that hasn't either had to downsize or go get another job to compensate for the toll our economy has taken. Up until now I have always felt like we've been forced into being more frugal. Something I never really considered, though, is that our frugality has allowed us to feel more at peace with our finances and be more grateful for the blessings we do have. It is the simple life we've adopted that has left us sleeping soundly at night and feeling content with our current circumstances. So imagine, if we were forced into simplicity and had such a positive result, how powerful it could be if we submitted to such a lifestyle voluntarily. Have you ever been on a diet where you don't eat much of anything? Or maybe you've been sick with a stomach flu-and you haven't really eaten anything exciting for a few days? How delicious is that first bite of food once you do start eating again? Even the most organic item like an orange is so pleasurable because your taste buds aren't competing for flavor. I think it's like that with anything else in life-we think better, breathe better, and function better when each aspect of our lives aren't competing all the time. How am I going to start living more simply?

• I'm going to take my time at the grocery store, choosing foods that my grandmother would recognize as food (thanks for that tip Oprah). Another great tip that I've learned is mostly shopping the perimeter of the store. That's where your produce, proteins, grains, and dairy live.
• I'm going to cook our meals more often. I love actually putting on an apron, turning on some soothing music and getting all my ingredients prepared. I love it even more when Trenton and I do it together. There is something so comforting about the aroma and the sound of a skillet sizzling while vegetables are being chopped.
• We're going to eat together as a family.
• I'm going to start a garden...even if it's in my kitchen window to begin with.
• I'm going to continue with my yoga.
• I'm going to take the kids for a walk several times a week.
• I'm going to keep my house less cluttered.
• I'm going to make more time to serve others.

I could go on forever, but that's a good start. One more thought on voluntary simplicity-There is so much proof that having everything doesn't lead to happiness, but here is one more piece of evidence. Doesn't it seem that it's the rich people that have gigantic mansions, house cleaners, and nannies that are the ones that want to retreat to remote islands the most? Those who have seemingly every comfort available to them are the ones vacationing in minimalistic hotel rooms and dining on fresh salads instead of lobster. That right there is a sign that we are more happy when we're indulging less. If you can't commit to changing your lifestyle right now I would encourage you to slice a big, juicy tomato and sprinkle some sea salt on it. Serve it next to a heaping portion of your favorite buttermilk mashed potatoes and enjoy the meal with someone you love...Turn the TV and computer off!

Janet

Gratitude

Day 25

Today I learned, (actually I was reminded) that my biggest failure in life would be to raise ungrateful, spoiled, entitled, selfish, shallow, empty human beings. One of my scariest fears is seeing Emma dressed like a tramp, acting without morality, and not using the brain and heart that she's been blessed with. I'm also scared that Ben will be the type of man that wants to date the type of girl I'm afraid for Emma to become. How do I raise children that are smart, clean, interested in the world they live in, and compassionate for those they share it with? I want them to be fun, and active, and beautiful. Now I have to go soak in a bath- My shoulders hurt from carrying the weight of my thoughts on them.

Janet

Dollar Store

Day 24

Today I learned that you should never go to the dollar store when you're bored, depressed, happy, lonely, excited, rich, poor ect. without a set dollar amount. In fact, today I learned that it's much safer to go and buy these "necessities" with cold, hard cash. Just take a few bucks in with you. Don't take your purse in, which we all know has other forms of "cash" in it. I didn't need anything, but I walk into that store and suddenly I need plastic Valentine's Day champagne glasses and a pair of crappy sunglasses and 20 other things that are now just taking up space in my house. It was a stupid idea for me to go in the first place. Stupid Stupid Stupid! But it was fun.

Janet