The World Famous MommieDawn Blog

Facebook Parenting: For the troubled teen.

2012-02-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

I gotta hand it to this dad. In today's time of technology, he chose an awesome outlet to let his teen know how it is!

I'll just get personal here for a minute, because...well, it's my blog and I can. I have two teenage daughters. Both have Facebook accounts. I have access to both of those accounts. I'm also their 'friend' on Facebook. In the four years since my oldest had her account, there has been ONE incident that I deemed inappropriate and dealt with it with her and the image was removed. And honestly, it wasn't really that bad. But I'm biased, I'm her mother. My kids do not post barely dressed photos online. Hell they have enough self respect not to dress like a piece of meat period. My kids do not cuss like sailors on shore leave online. In real life...well, I'm their mom and I think it's woven in our DNA. They don't brag about idiotic attention seeking morons. They don't post a photo of themselves dressed like, oh let's say, Rosie the Riveter (who would kick this girl's ass for the comparison) down to the polka dotted scarf like such an obviously insecure girl posing as an iconic strong woman and not being aware of the irony... It's funny because it's sad. They don't block me from any posts.

I cannot imagine if my daughters spoke about us this way. I would first be a piddly stain on the floor crying my eyes out, then be out for blood. I kid, I kid. I've never hit my children, never had to. I'm not perfect, so don't try and go there. I am but a mere human, with superhuman powers. And my kids aren't perfect either. We all know this.

My girls have chores, but it's to the point where things like wiping the counter, dishwasher duty and laundry are knee jerk reactions. They do it without asking, for the most part. However, what this dad did is to be commended. She's the child, he's the parent and was put in her damn place, rightfully so.

He's inspired myself and my husband. Stay tuned for that! :)

So now, I give you the Dad of the Year! Seriously, give this guy a medal. See the post on Facebook HERE.

Matt Patrick Likes Kids To Be Bullied

2012-02-10T07:43:00.000-08:00

I'll start by saying this - I don't listen to Matt Patrick on a regular basis. I'm not a 'fan'. I am certainly NOT a conservative. With that said, I realize I will always have something to bitch about with him. (and Michael Berry, and Pags) However, this topic struck a chord with me, as a mother. Hence, my rant.
Ta Da.

This week a Cy Fair ISD cheerleading coach was fired after a recording of her yelling at her cheerleaders. Abel Olivares' eleventh grade daughter recorded it because he told her to. His daughter was upset with the way the coach had been talking to some of the students and he wanted to hear what was being said. I'm sure we've all heard about this, those that are local at least.

Matt Patrick, of The 950 Conservative Talk Radio, spoke about it on his show yesterday afternoon. While I shouldn't be surprised by anything that comes out of this station's hosts, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. You can hear the podcast here.

He starts by mocking the fact that this coach was fired. Then plays a portion of the recording. He also says he's about to defend this teacher. Again, to listen to the podcast - go HERE.

I want to make it clear that as the mother of two teenagers, I know how teens can be. I know how they can push your buttons. Regardless, we send our kids to school to be taught, not to be yelled at. (I home school my youngest) If you have an issue with a child, generally you go through the proper channels of the school officials or the parents. I don't know what the issues this 'coach' had, but this was totally uncalled for. Mentioning 'Yall don't have a mortgage!" tells me that she possibly is having financial issues. Stressful? Yes. But that has no place at a job, especially around children. Man up. Grow up. Handle your business. Do your job.

Patrick started off telling the story and playing the part of the teenage girl who recorded it. (Don't quit your day job, sir) Patrick offered the question, "Now where did she put her phone in those little cheerleading outfits?" Mr. Patrick, that's not appropriate. While everyone should know that when cheerleaders practice, they're not wearing their uniforms, for the most part, but sweats or shorts possibly. But a typical male ideological vision of teen girls wearing 'little cheerleading outfits' isn't a shocker. He then used the word 'beotching' when describing the teen who recorded the incident talking to her father. Really Matt? So, not only does this kid get in trouble by the school for recording and sharing it, get degraded by a coach.....NOW she has YOU mocking her like a whiny brainless idiot!

Patrick went on, in a whiny voice, mocking the teen who recorded it, "She's so mean, dad...." He later took calls and I could smell the pansy testosterone through my car radio....and a bit of gorilla sweat. Patrick basically has the state of mind that it was no big deal that this coach called these teens heifers. Whether she meant it as calling them fat or other, it's not right.

Then he belittles the father for going to the media with the recording. He says how much he loves KPRC, but then complains about the dad going to THAT media source. So, Mr. Patrick, you can't really 'love' KPRC because they're the nimrods that *gasp* put this on the air and seems to side with the father and teen.

I commend the father. Take it public, get the recording out there and get this coach to be seen for what she is. We all have heard how parents before have complained to the schools regarding incidents with their children. When a 5 year old boy complained of his teacher berating him in class, nothing was done about it until the father sent him to school with a hidden recorder. (You can hear that story here.) Was that OK, Mr. Patrick? I mean, the teacher was just trying to toughen the boy up.

Callers and Patrick grunted back and forth about how kids today are so soft and yelling at them is good for them and teaches them a lesson. And, "If they didn't like the coach, they can quit the team." A lot of us parents don't teach our kids to quit when the going gets tough. We also teach our children to let us know if they are being mistreated. And this, Mr. Patrick, was a woman with personal issues mistreating teenagers.

Really? Why should it be OK for a teacher/coach to yell at my child and call her a heifer and then go on to talk about how they don't have a mortgage?! As a teenager NO ONE has a mortgage. There are enough bullies in schools these days without the teachers becoming more of them.

And lest us not forget....it's CHEERLEADING. There is NO reason for a cheerleading coach to get this angry over CHEERING.

I really hope, Mr. Patrick, that if your son Jake the J-Man comes to you ever in his life visibly shaken and upset because he was called names and yelled at by an adult, that you take action instead of telling Jake to get over it.

One Million Moms. Kindly STFU.

2012-02-09T05:37:00.000-08:00

I'm sure we've all heard of the One Million Moms group. Frankly, I've heard enough. Too much! It still astounds me that in this day and age when we have teens committing suicide because of people bullying them because they're gay - THIS 'group' touts proudly and bullies the LOUDEST against gays and those who support them.

I want to take every teen who is not on stable ground and hoist them up on my shoulders to stabilize them. I want to fight and fend off bullies and radical conservative Christians that spew hatred from their snouts. I want to keep them out of harms way and let them down when AND ONLY WHEN they feel safe.

That's what I want to do. That's what I wished I could do. I want to be their big mama pushing them behind me and wag my big finger at people like OMM. But I am but one woman. One mother. One person. But here, on my blog, I feel I can reach more people that are like-minded and they go on to spread the word.

Be a do-er. Write. Scream. Yell. Complain! All in the name of love.

Now....onto the post at hand.

From what I can gather by their website, OMM orders their followers to call and write television shows, corporations and stores. For what? Let's see, one was for Febreeze to pull their commercial and take out the words "Oh my God!" Another was for Oreos having a mom say, "Shut the front door!" because it's too close to STFU. Dancing With the Stars because (heaven forbid) a transgender dance on television. Then there was Ben & Jerry's Schweaty Balls ice cream flavor. Oh, and then there's Nick Teen show Degrassi. OMM wanted Target to pull their ads during that show. You know, where there are gay teens. And since truth is stranger than fiction, because I can't make this sh*t up, here is a quote from OMM site on this matter. "They are openly recruiting teens and children to become 'gay' on a program that also promotes the transgender and homosexual lifestyle."

Basically their group purpose is (via their website) : "Our goal is to stop the exploitation of our children, especially by the entertainment media (TV, music, movies, etc.). Mom, OneMillionMoms.com is the most powerful tool you have to stand against the immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity the entertainment media is throwing at your children. It is time to fight back!"

Now, let's dissect that, shall we?

Stopping the exploitation of our children. Sounds wonderful. The exploitation of a child is defined as sexual abuse, child pornography, kidnapping and selling a child into prostitution. That's a wonderful purpose for a group to have. If only OMM actually used their Christian powers for good.

To stand against the immorality, violence, vulgarity and profanity the entertainment media is throwing at your children. That's just heroic. But let's look at each of those words. Shall we?

Immorality - Moral is 'good and right'. So immoral would be the exact opposite. Bad and wrong. But in the Bible immorality is Wickedness; Wrongdoing. Lewdness; Lack of Chastity. Unchastity (impurity through sexual intercourse with someone who you are not married to).

Now this is where OMM comes in. Although many 'laws' of the Bible are not followed by Christians today. There are literally hundreds of laws in the Bible that are ignored today. Christians pick and choose what to follow. I mean, we don't stone women and children. We don't own slaves. We wear cloths of different kinds. We eat pork and work on Sunday. That's just to name a few. The impurity through sex with one's spouse also isn't followed as it's not seen as a good thing for husbands to rape their wives, the way it's written in the Bible. Women are allowed to work in the same space with men while they're on their periods. Get where I'm going?

Violence - We know that is harsh. Especially against a child. Violence towards a child is not only uncalled for but illegal. Kudos to OMM for wanting to stop violence towards children!

Vulgarity and Profanity - Crudely indecent. Deficient in taste, delicacy, or refinement. Uncouth. Sometimes offensive, often used with sexual innuendo's. No one should be vulgar around a child. Vulgar words include cunt, fuck, suck a dick, meat flap. You get my drift. No one wants that inappropriateness around their child. Bravo, OMM.

Now, with that done, let's take a look at the vulgar, profane, immoral people and companies OMM goes after, shall we?

JCPennys - For hiring an openly gay person as a spokesperson. That openly gay person is Ellen Degeneres. Now, I don't know about you, but violent, vulgar, immoral or anything close to that..especially towards children...says NOTHING about Ellen. It has nothing to do with any of that. It's because she's gay. That's hatred and bully mentality stupidness,. Period. I can't say for sure, but I think that when Ellen's promos for JCPenny's comes out, she will not recruit children for her lesbian army through the sale of clothing. It's just a hunch.

Ellen spoke about this on her show this week. And while I love Ellen, she's too kind. I would not have been able to get through this without many many profanities. I love Ellen. I have for years. She's beautiful and hilarious and tasteful and polite and so giving. I think the book 'The Giving Tree' was written for her. For someone who gives so much it is a shame that this bully group OMM has nothing better to do than bash her and JCPenny's.

*After Ellen's show aired, One Million Mom's Facebook went offline. Why? Because they were getting SLAMMED by supporters of the LGBT community and comments saying they will NOW shop or shop MORE at JCPenny's. They came back online last night with a status update stating that they had to go offline to 'clean' up spam and negative comments. Obviously they don't realize what spam is because people commenting their support and love of the LGBT community is not spam. Sending the same message to a million email address IS spam. Dumbasses.

* OMM have over ten thousand comments on that post, and a little over only 500 'Likes' on that post. The majority of the some ten thousand comments are all in support of LGBT community and JCPenny's.

Macy's - For having a two groom ad. Now, I have to stop for a moment. Before I saw the ad, I said to myself, "So? What's the big deal?" When I saw the ad I literally LAUGHED OUT LOUD at the LUDICROUSNESS of OMM to send hate to Macy's for this. I mean, the purpose of OMM is to stop all the crudeness THROWN IN OUR CHILDREN'S FACES. Yes? someone please tell me how this is an in your face ad. I commend Macy's for their support of LGBT community. But for their support, even in this small way, OMM had them in their cross hairs.

See if you can find the vulgar, immoral, in your face profane image

that Macy's is polluting your children with.

I mean, the nerve. Millions of children are scarred for life

while they fingered through the pages

of their Macy's catalog. Because we all know

children just love this catalog.

Can't see it?

Look on top of the wedding cake stuffed in

the trunk of the car.

There's two grooms.

The gall.

Modern Family - This is a television show that shoves the vulgar images of a gay couple who adopted an Asian daughter. The grossness of their love for family and friends and the acceptance of their families in a comedic manner is just detrimental to any child. OMM begs it's hateful followers to harrass the commercial supporters of the show to pull out. Look at the photo below, if you can. I know it's very crude and horribly offensive.

Target - OMM says Target should be ashamed of themselves. They were one of the main advertisers during a Teen Nick episode of Degrassi where one of their characters comes out gay. For shame, Target. How dare you support the coming out of teens. You should instead support OMM in their fight to beat the crap out of a child's esteem and spirit and pray for them to be healed of their gay. Oh, and OMM believes that Degrassi is (and I quote) "They are openly recruiting teens and children to become 'gay' on a program that also promotes the transgender and homosexual lifestyle."

I literally could go on. But the bile forming in my stomach from having to read and report this crap is about to be spewed on my keyboard.

Now, I call on ALL of you who are reading this!

Go HERE and flood their website with what YOU think of OMM. Go HERE and show your support for LGBT on their Facebook page.

I urge all of you to do this. If OMM can openly bully people that are different, we can let them know we will NOT stand for it.

By the way, I've requested a roster of their 'one million' moms. They have yet to respond.

For a group to say they are Christian, it's a slap in the face to real Christians.

Moody Nails - A 2 Fer!

2012-02-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

No Valentine's Nails. Just normal Moody Nails. I suck. My bad. Will do some.

But for now, I give you my man-hands.

The nail polish is by Flirt Prod. distributed out of NY, NY. It was a gift and I can't find any info on these awesome colors. I hate that. I always want to link products to where to buy them. But, I can't. So....yeeah.

The base color is Flirt! #19. It's a mocha or coffee or possibly brown brick color. The top coat is Flirt! #21 and is a sparkly thinnish polish. So the purpose of it, for me, was to have a sparkly topcoat but still see the base coat.

Base coat. About 2 or 3 coats, until I was satisfied.

And the sparkly top coat.

Ohhh...sparkly.

And my man-hand.

You're welcome.

Nails - 2

This is done on my daughter's fingers. About a year ago, I did this applique manicure on my kid. I used Sally Hansen Nail Applique kit. it worked awesomely and looked very cool. But you know me...I always have to find it cheaper.

And I did. Thanks to the Dollar General, I found a set for THREE BUCKS. There's the price difference at 5-15 bucks VS 3 bucks and 16 nails VS 12 nails. But you have to remember, this is Dollar General and will not have a whole huge variety to choose from. Ya get what ya get. But I still love it.

These are called Fanycy nails Nail Fashion Applique Polish. A mouthful.

This is what you get.

Cut them off one by one.

Some other designs.

They show a photo, but don't say anything. When you cut one off

SOAK IT in water to peel it off.

Rub it onto a clean fingernail.

Rub it on a clean fingernail and file the excess off.

It's very cute.

Back From The Dead

2012-02-08T08:37:00.001-08:00

I've returned from my migraine coma to the land of the living. Three days...not bad. At all.

I'm used to no shorter than 5 days.

So, now that I can see and focus, I must blog away.

Later today.

Maybe.

I'm still exhausted.

No Super Bowl

2012-02-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

Annoying Post #1 of my NO Watching Super Bowl - Rantings of a Bitter Bitch

As written by an acquaintance of mine in The Houston Press entitled 'The Five Most Annoying Tweeters During A Sporting Event', Jeff wrote that he had identified the five most annoying types of tweeters who post during sporting events.

Honestly, there are five types of annoying tweeters in any given arena or subject....during DWTS, during The Walking Dead premiere, during childbirth. Really. I could go on and on. My point is, there is validity in all five types he described. What I disagree with is his description of them. I can't help it. I get under people's skin, and they get under mine. So, I'm taking this opportunity to rebut an article.

#5 : The Over Analyzer : He starts with saying he's not talking about the 'guys' who really know their stuff...but rather 'people' who think they do.

Ok, that's not an over analyzer. That's a douche bag asshat. That's a big mouth. That's the guy who knows everything about everything and never STFU. An over analyzer is the person who breaks down a simple play over and over and over again, each time attempting a different outcome or possibility. They're afraid to make any decision because of the probability of too many consequences.

Unless, we're talking about the moronic 'Urban Dictionary' definition - then I stand corrected. Because the Urban Dictionary should be the first resource. Right?

#4: The Over Reactor : This from a man who literally wrote that listening to sports radio could have him ripping out his car radio and throwing it in the bayou.

We all over react. All the time. We're human. People tweet in all caps and use WAY too much punctuation. Is it annoying? Totally. Un-follow worthy? That's a bit harsh.

#3: The Reporter : I can't really write anything on this. Literally, we are tweeting. Tweeting is literally reporting your damn day. Jeff" wrote, "Look, I don't need you, Average Joe, to give me stats and highlights on every damn play." Wow. I really can't wrap my head around someone being so angry over someone tweeting the game. And as I write this, I'm laughing my ass off.

#2 : The Bad Sport - We all are when our team loses. Nuff said.

And my favorite one, because this is the one I feel I am.

The Sports Hater. Totally me. Hate sports. And when days like today, The Super Bowl, roll around I will tweet to my hearts content about how stupid football is and everything else I'm doing BESIDES watching The Super Bowl.

Jeff wrote "Everyone gets a say and if you don't like it, you don't have to look. But when you know that a game is on and you still decide to tell us all that the game we love is stupid and you just don't get it, you don't sound elevated or cool. You just sound bitter."

So, basically if you don't like it you don't have to look but don't do it on football days. But if you do, you just sound bitter.

Who cares. Move on. Scroll down. Log out.

Original article found here : http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2012/01/five_annoying_tweeter_sports.php?page=2

Madonna & The Super Bowl

2012-02-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

These are two things I won't be watching today.

Honestly, I watch Super Bowl only for the commercials, but since just about every commercial has been 'leaked' online, there's no reason now.

Madonna, and her old Madge veiny armed lip synching self will not attempt to impress me.

It's a sad state of affairs when an over the hill performer who refuses to dress or act like a human is the 'talk of the town'. 'Everyone wants to judge her' touted one media outlet. Yes, everyone does want to judge her. This is why she is who she is.

I'll leave it up to Elton John speak for me regarding Madonna. He's almost as hard to impress as myself.

Its like walking in on my geriatric parents

having sex.

Just. So. Wrong.

Flying Monkeys!!!

2012-02-04T15:43:00.001-08:00

Funny that it's James Franco....because he was in the new Planet of the Apes.

Flying Monkeys are creepy.

First Look! A Flying Monkey From Oz: The Great & Powerful!

Wow! This gets us pretty excited for this flick!

Disney's prequel to the Wizard of Oz, titled Oz: The Great and Powerful, which stars James Franco as the man himself, is well into production, and a Perezcious reader sent us this really neat photo that an extra posted on Facebook - with a flying monkey!

Ch-ch-check it out (above)!

Pretty cool make-up and effects, right? Not to mention the wingspan on that thing!

We can't imagine how cool it's going to look in the finished product!

Tags: extra, facebook, flying monkey, james franco, oz the great and powerful, prequel, set photo

3:14

2012-02-03T01:40:00.000-08:00

That's what time it is. In the morning.

I don't have a newborn that I have to be up to breastfeed. Those days are over, sadly.

I don't work at a radio station morning show or for the local television station that requires me to wake up at this time.

So, why am I up? The same reason I've slept more on the sofa than in my own bed for at least part of the past 3 years.

The Yeti.

It's raining outside as well.

The cat Sophie is in the kitchen hunting something. Does that mean I have to go look? Hell no, she better kill and eat whatever it is.

Okay, so I can't take my own advice....I had to investigate. We live in Texas and it's a mostly wooded area. And that means tree roaches. I've grown up with them. At a very early age we were taught the difference between roaches. Yes, there is a difference....according to my mother type person. The big ones are called 'tree roaches'. Those are the huge ass roaches that can make noise walking on shit because they're so friggin big. The smaller roaches she called 'the nasty filthy roach', and they're there because you're a nasty filthy person. Where there is filth, there are the nasty ones. Basically, if you have small roaches it's because you're a horrible housekeeper.

Anyway, we have tree roaches. They live outside under tree bark and love wet and humid areas to live in. However, they will come and venture inside. Gross. When my husband's home, I scream like an idiot and make him kill them. When he's not home, I have to be brave and kill them so my kids will stop screaming. I hate being brave. Roaches are gross.

Guess what was in the kitchen being played with by Sophie? A huge tree roach. Like the brave woman I am I just killed it first by grabbing the closest weapon (Windex) and spraying him and then squashing him with the bottle. And yes, it was a him. All roaches are hims to me. Period.

So, I've been able to waste some time being up in the middle of the night. Dr. Oz is on...whom I cannot stand...but Rosie O'Donnell is on so I have to watch.

A Proper Wife & Mother Knows How To Bake

2012-02-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

....or prepare to be a failure. My point of view, as a woman, is generally out of the kitchen window. So, to keep me busy while in my 'office' (kitchen) I decided to make bread.

And by 'decided to make bread', I mean I had three teenagers that ordered I make some.

This is some of the process of the bread that I managed to snap, the recipe is below.

Ingredients

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Just A Typical Night

2012-02-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

I need to video more often. Every night in our home it's entertainment with three teenagers.

Here's Monday night, homework time/hanging out/silly time.

I love my kids.

Our Job is Never Done

2012-02-01T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am the mother of two teenage girls, one starting college in the fall, and a fully grown man-child-husband. I've also recently taken in a stray, whom we call Sunshine. I feed her and treat her as my child. She's spoiled already.

It seems I pick up after everyone. The oldest kid will say, "I was just about to pick it up! You don't have to act like I never pick anything up." Riiiight. I'm just 'acting' like she never pick anything up because it's an awesome game.

Everyday. Several times a day. I am picking up after someone. And if my family kept up on my blogs - they'd know they were being talked about. Easy remedy - don't drop the ball and mama won't have to blog.

Teenagers bathroom - several times a day I am throwing away pad covers, empty toilet paper rolls, putting up bobby pins, tissue, make up, brushes, straighteners, clothes and towels. Then there's the fight over who's turn is it to take out the trash. Really? Oh, let me!

The coffee table is constantly littered with water bottles, make up wipes. junk mail, orphaned papers, folders, remotes, cups. Oh, let me!

The mister's side table is strewn with tooth picks, allergy meds, batteries, the stray coffee cup, stray mail and general crap. Oh, let me!

I've given up on our bedroom. As long as I can get into bed and out - it seems I'm satisfied with it looking like an episode of Hoarders. Last year, for Mother's Day, since my husband is a man and says I'm so hard to shop for, my 'gift' was a clean bedroom. Wait....the promise of a clean bedroom. It never happened. I've not seen the top of the dresser for years.

I'd love to go on strike - like I did in my bedroom. But the fear of my entire house looking like my bedroom scares the shit out of me. Now, you may be wondering why I don't just force my children to clean. You see, therein lies the problem. You can't teach children to clean like you do. I've failed, maybe. I've spoiled everyone so damn much by doing everything for them for so long - I've created monsters.

So today, I make a promise to myself....and now it's out on the web. I will clean my bedroom today. And by clean - I mean I will toss every single item that hasn't moved in a year. I may be divorced after this - by throwing away something the mister really 'needed' - but I'll have a clean bedroom.

That still doesn't solve the problem of picking up after everyone. That will never be solved. Ever. I'll just do it all myself and complain about it.

I Went To Church

2012-01-30T09:46:00.000-08:00

Now, before you people that pray for me hold your hands up in praise.....I went in support of my daughter and her high school choir in a choral festival. Only 3 schools were chosen to perform at the festival along with the Houston Chamber Choir. It's quite an honor.

I hid my horns and tail, and went to church. My tattoo on my chest was a put off to a lot...as usual. My fear of people hurdling prayers at me was thwarted and I walked out without a bout of spontaneous combustion. All in all, it was a good day. Oh! And I was witness to some church butt crack. Awesome.

Spring High School was the only choir that received a standing ovation that day. Then I had to make a quick grocery stop and paraded the girls in their choir dresses in HEB.

And we all survived the day.
The End.

Lady Goo Goo Takes A Spill....again

2012-01-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

I can't help but laugh when someone falls down. It's funny! Everyone laughs. You know you do. Don't lie.

But when Lady Goo Goo falls, it's gold. Generally because I can't stand her and find her so unoriginal it should be illegal and her shoes are such a loud cry for attention it's deafening.

However - in this video, she's wearing somewhat normal shoes. It's like normalcy is physically rejected by her body.

Enjoy!

Dear Leyla

2012-01-25T20:02:00.000-08:00

Stop Being An

Sincerely,

If you really wanted to know how many blogs I have, you could ask.

If you really wanted to know where the blog post about the thread you're stalking me in, you could ask.

But since you didn't, you just assume. And get all creepy and obsessed. I'm locking my doors now.

Take those big words you used, and look them up. Then say them repeatedly while looking in the mirror.

V-day Nails

2012-01-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

I know, I know...it's early. But I can't help it. Hell, I'm getting ready to decorate the tree for Valentine's Day.

That's right, you heard me. I swear I'm leaving our silver tree up all year and decorating it for the different holidays through out the year. No matter what my husband or kids say. They don't like it, they can take it down. But since I'm the only one who manages to decorate for ANY holiday around here....that ain't happening.

Now, on to the nails. I hope to have lots of Valentine nails soon, but here's the first. Simple and easy, but cute.

*WARNING*

I've been up since 4am, so don't judge the crappiness of the polish.

Here they are. Red/Pink/Dotties

I love this thing. It's like a marker for your nails.

And this is Sophie being not amused with anything I do.

Teavana Tea - A Religious Experience

2012-01-24T19:30:00.000-08:00

My daughters love hot tea. When I was pregnant with both of them, I couldn't get enough of it. I've never drank hot tea before or after any of their births. But pregnant, I couldn't get enough of it.

Tea's come a long way from the dunking of the tea bag filled with brown bits. The colors of the teas are different too!

Teavana is hands down my daughters' favorite tea. Loose teas in every imaginable flavor. There are small buds of flowers and plants in very stylish containers. They have gift sets, tea cups, mugs and pots for every taste and color scheme you can think of.

My oldest daughter, who graduates this Spring from high school, is a milk and sugar in the tea kind of gal. When Christmas came around this past December, all she wanted was anything and everything from Teavana. She got a travel mug that comes with it's own diffuser. The tea inside the mug stays hot for literally hours.

Tonight she was 'teaching' me how to make her tea. I first offered, but she insisted she teach me to make it how she likes it. So, I grabbed my camera because I really wanted to share it with all of you. I wished the photos smelled as calming and wonderful as the real thing!

This tin is Teavana's White Ambrosia

This tin is a mix of about 3 teas.

See? Aren't the tins beautiful?!

This is just a few nuggets out of the White Ambrosia

These are the two tins, and in front is the diffuser that comes

with the travel mug.

..and this is the travel mug.

My daughter pouring hot water into the travel mug.

Then set in the diffuser of tea and let sit for just

a few moments.

She puts a fair amount of milk in and a few teaspoons of sugar.

Now she's sitting, sipping tea and reading a great book on her Nook.

Little Red - A Day With My Aspie

2012-01-20T16:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was reading an article about a man and wife who's marriage was almost in shambles until a diagnosis of Asperger's seemed to bring so much to light. I read part of the article aloud to my 15 year old, who's an Aspie as am I. It was regarding how an outing needs to be told to us beforehand so we know what to expect. I won't try to explain it, but it has to do with routine and social crap and not ever being fly by the seat of our pants kind of people. She totally got it and we talked about a weekend to her dad's that was out of the routine ...this weekend. With holidays and birthdays it gets a bit hairy at times trying to keep a regular schedule. Her words were, "It ruined my whole day!" Meaning, she really needed a day to deal with and get over and accept her weekend was going to be elsewhere.

(As a sidenote : getting 3 text messages saying one person, then the other, then the first is going to pick her up and the time is getting later and later isn't helping.)

And for whatever reason, I felt like blogging today on a day with my Aspie. The mister is out of town and the other two teens were in school, so it was just us. I had some errands to run, which is one thing she needs to be made aware of beforehand. Where we're going etc, etc, etc.

Generally, when she runs around with me, and now that she's older, she needs to be reassured that she can sit in the car. Her words, "I hate people." Interpretation, "I hate everyone staring at me." And regardless of the color of her hair (which today was blazing red) and I'm sure someone stares at that, she always thinks everyone is staring at her and it upsets her a great deal.

But let me back up a little bit. Last night I lifted her purple hair in order to dye it red. This morning she wanted a little bit darker red on top, so that was the first thing done today. And since I was on no one's schedule but hers, I let her know, "Whenever you're ready we'll leave. We're going to the dollar store, the gas station, Radio Shack and another stop." This was early. Like hours before I was going to leave, she needs that time to digest things.

Today is Friday, and in home school MommieDawn terms - free day. She does some reading, but no 'work work'. We also hardly ever watch 'regular' TV. Netflix and BBC shows are our life source. Haha. But today she wanted to watch Brian Regan. Ugh. I love this man, because he's hilarious without being filthy. And my kid is a prude and any vulgarity (especially sexual) puts her red faced. He's just awesome. But, it does take a while to get through it because occasionally I stop the feed and explain one of his jokes. Figure of speech is taken literally from a lot of Aspie's.

When she was happy with her hair, dressed and ready to go...off we went. First stop was Radio Shack, I needed a new universal battery charger. I exit the car, make sure she locks the doors, even though I'm parked 3 feet from the glass fronted shop, and pop in and out. When I'm back in the car I am greeted with how many people stared at her. Then to the dollar store, she gets out here because she was getting some snacks. Then gas and one more stop then home.

She wanted to go with to pick up the high schoolers, which is something she NEVER wants to do because, "I hate people." But today she went because at the dollar store I purchased an iPod adapter that plays through the car radio and she wanted to hook it up. DOLLAR STORE PURCHASES LIKE THIS NEVER WORK. Yet, for some reason, I still am surprised and get mad. Go figure. When we pull in the parking lot, "Don't park up front!" So I don't, which I never do with her...I parked in the trees. When the kids were out I usually pull up to get them, but not the 'front'. But I was still reminded not to do it.

And now I wait for her dad to come pick her up for the weekend. Which she psychs herself out for. While waiting she's playing 'Batman' on her PS3 and a challenge came up. "Riddles?! I don't do riddles well, guys!" It gave me a giggle.

So here is my fiery redhead just today. One of the loves of my life. One of my heroes.

ps - my other love and hero is my other daughter, by the way,.

42

2012-01-18T08:52:00.001-08:00

Ok, so my kid has been haunted by a number.

42

It started a couple of months ago and she'd notice a volume on the dvd player at 42, or an address 42, or the time with a 42. Repeatedly, all over.

Last night we were watching an old episode of The IT Crowd and she glanced up at the TV, the guy had a shirt on with the number 42 very big on it. She has the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. 42 is a powerful and meaningful number.

She needs to list every 42 reference, I've told her.

So she made a video. And cracks me up.

Just a few minutes ago she texted me this photo :

This is the choir safe at the high school...and it was set to 42. LOL

It's An Illness

2012-01-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

Imagine you were told you were ill.

You functioned as well as any other person, had a job, had a place to live and took care of yourself in a normal fashion regarding feeding and clothing.

You had all your limbs. You weren't disfigured. You had all five of your senses...not blind, not deaf. Both your legs were the same length. You didn't walk with a limp.

Maybe you're black, but that's not why people looked at you funny. Maybe you were hispanic but that's not why people questioned your validity.

You weren't depressed. You weren't having delusions. You weren't hearing voices that weren't there. You didn't have multiple personalities.

You didn't abuse drugs or alcohol. You didn't prostitute yourself on the streets. You didn't have a visual disease.

But you were still called ill.

What if you were forced to be healed. What if that healing process involved being electrically shocked when shown certain images. Not images you saw as harmful, but images someone else saw as harmful.

What if strangers in white coats told you who you loved is an illness.

What if you were killed based on who you loved.

Who are you? What are you?

You're gay.

If a straight person is not judged based upon who they have sex with, why are gays?

If a straight person is not seen as a sexual deviant strictly based on who they love, why are gays?

If a gay person wants to marry the one they love (who happens to be the same gender they are), why do people argue the point that people can't marry animals, or trees? Where does that logic make sense?

Please watch this video. If you aren't moved, you are dead inside.

Click here to be part of this effort to create change: http://kck.st/zUspXy

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If you are currently being discriminated against & would like to be considered as a subject for the documentary, please email me: ryanyezak(at)gmail(dot)com

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My Baby Isn't A Baby Anymore

2012-01-14T13:31:00.000-08:00

Monday, my first baby turned 18.

Whew. I wasn't ready for that.

As promised to both my kids, they and I get a matching tattoos.

A couple of days ago, with her three best friends in tow, we went and got inked.

It was an awesome rite of passage.

We both took videos, here they are.

Oreo Balls

2012-01-08T19:34:00.000-08:00

With 5 teenagers in my home this weekend, there were shenanigans of all kinds. And I love every minute of it.

They decided to make Oreo balls, and since you won't learn the recipe from this video, here it is.

1 package of Oreos
1 package cream cheese
Chocolate

Blend Oreos in a food processor. Mix in a bowl with softened cream cheese. Form into balls. Refrigerate until solid - 15 minutes or so. Then dip in melted chocolate and let harden. Then put them in your mouth.

Easy peasy.

But the video is more fun.

I Don't Care, It's Rude!

2012-01-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

We've lived in this house a little over 3 years now and we've come to a general understanding in our home - we hate our neighbors.

On one side, we have the old lady who feels it necessary to mow our lawn at the stupidest times, never asking if it's ok if she invades my yard. Once all she was doing was running over acorns, there was no grass to mow! A week ago, while my Christmas decorations were still in the yard, she mowed again. There was NOTHING to mow! Nothing had grown and she killed an extension cord to boot!

On the other side, we have the loud morons. On Mother's Day one year they had a DJ booth in their back yard. Mother's Day. DJ booth. Full on lights that looked like a UFO was landing in my window and music so loud it vibrated our walls. Some neighbors called the police after a while and it was taken care of. They throw trash on our property, so I pick it up. Their stupid kids kick soccer balls so hard and repeatedly on the fence that 1) not only is is annoying as hell to hear it over and over and over again from inside the house, 2) it's broken fence boards and our dog has escaped several times through their yard. Assholes.

Oh, and when they want their balls back that land in our yard ALL the time, they can speak perfect English. But when we're asking about their Ooompapa music wrecking my walls in the middle of the day or night, they suddenly speak nothing but Spanish.

I'll stop here for a second. I am not a racist. I don't give a shit if they're Mexican or Puerto Rican or what. If they were from Germany, they'd speak only German when I ask them something. Same difference. So, shut your pie hole.

So, Friday night, January 6th, apparently was Epiphany. January 6th is Three Kings Day in Mexico, known as the Día de Reyes. This is Epiphany on the church calendar, the 12th day after Christmas, when the Magi arrived bearing gifts for baby Jesus. Bla bla bla.

I don't care what race, nationality, creed, color, religious affiliation or WHATEVER you are - as a person or neighbor. I don't care. As long as you're not abusing your mate, kids or animals - I don't care.

What I DO care about is your shit encroaching on my personal space. My home. If I can hear and am disturbed INSIDE my home by what you're doing for FOUR hours, then yes - I give a shit.

For four hours we had drum banging, chanting, more drums and more chanting. All the neighbors were outside looking next door and what the hell was going on. I stayed in my garage for most the time because we keep our door up and with people walking in our yard and our driveway, I didn't feel safe. Three other neighbors called the police, they show up and leave. Finally, around 11 or so it ends.

But not the noise. Oh no. That would be too easy. Then it was soccer time until past midnight. Boom goes the ball. Back and forth. Then under my vehicle, to which they got a stick to fish it out, banging more. Then apologizing to me while I glared at them with evil eyes.

Now, you might be saying, "MommieDawn, embrace diversity!" Please. I embrace a lot of shit. I just don't want it unannounced and landing in my yard. I don't want it going on for FOUR HOURS with no warning. Go to a public place, oh I don't know, like a park or church or something.

Enjoy the video below of myself and my family trying to keep our wits.

Attack of the Yeti

2012-01-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

The Yeti is my dear husband.

The very first time I called him a Yeti was on our honeymoon. It was due to his huge daddie long leg gait when he was walking fast. It reminded me of Bigfoot from that 70s film footage in the woods.

It was funny. And cute.

Now, not so much.

The Yeti refers to the open mouth snoring I am greeted with at about 2am in my face every night. He works 2nd shift and I am in bed by the time he gets home. Hopefully asleep, as most times I am.

This is me. At 4am. After being woken up by the

Yeti at 2 30am last night.

There was a time when I'd not even sleep in my own bed. Rather made a pallet on the sofa and camped out in Sofa Town every night. It worked for me....sometimes. A lot of the time he'd come home from work, and there I am asleep. He'd heat up dinner, watch TV, clash around and I'd be awake. Note : It takes me roughly 45 minutes to fall asleep.

That lasted almost a year, I think. Now, I make sure I go to bed roughly around 10pm so that I should be asleep by the time he gets home. But it never fails that at least 8 times out of 10 I'm awoken to either him being a one man earthquake machine or having the hot damp snore exhale in my gullet. And then I'm back on the sofa.

Here's recordings I did of him a while back. No, it's not loud and insane, just one example to actually prove to him that he snored. He always said he didn't.

My bed pillow has become permanent decor in the living room. As has my blanket. In the living room, I also get to contend with the cat, Sophie, who is an OCD licker/groomer. For some reason, she loves to groom herself to death very close to me. The dog, Buddy, likes to wake me up in the middle of the night to piddle in the back yard.

Now, you might be saying, "Hey, bitch, why do you think you can even bitch about it?"

Well, first of all, I don't think you should call me a bitch unless you know me well. Although I do not have the conventional office space to work in, I am nonstop from morning till night. I do have carpool/school drop off every weekday morning. The rest of the day I am mom, taxi, cook, maid and sometimes I get to do what I want. Regardless - I am human and need my sleep. When I don't have my sleep, I am a bigger bitch than normal. That's good for no one.

For the past 5 years or so, I've asked him to go to a sleep clinic. Get a sleep study done. Something. ANYTHING. Contrary to popular belief, I do have a heart. It's not always tiny, cold and black. I do think he's got sleep apnea. He snores going in and coming out. He struggles to breath at times. I make him take naps whenever possible because I know he's not resting well with all that shit. I've found a clinic near our home even. But nothing. As of yet. He was supposed to get a vasectomy about 6 years ago too.

Literally, I could crash right now. I could fall asleep for a long nap. But I won't. Because I have a kid to pick up, an appointment to take her to and I feel like a nimrod when I nap.

Now you may be asking if I know that I snore. Yes, I do. I've snored since I was 14 years old and the mother person thought it was a great idea for me to get a nose job. I have so much scar tissue up my schnozz that, yes, I do indeed snore. The difference is, my snoring does not make my husband insane and want to torture me. Nor does it make him leave the comfort of the bed to go sleep on the sofa.

So, today I end this blog post with my big. fat, wrinkled and eye-bagged face begging for some sleep soon. One night. Just one night of straight sleep. I'm getting bored of the idiotic informercials on in the middle of the night. And it's becoming annoying to know the 'news' of the day before everyone else.

Walgreen's Awesome Toy Deal!

2011-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year that we all should think of others. Those less fortunate or those alone for the holidays. My daughter's school has an Adopt A Child program where a student can adopt a kid for the holidays and get them a gift.

I don't have to tell you, but we all know how tight things are financially for a lot of us this time of year. Gifts for your own family can do monetary damage alone. So when I heard about Walgreen's stores having a deal on toys, that is where I went!

Purchase 6 of the Toys On Sale (3) for $13.98 (Plus, B1G1 FREE)

Total cost $13.98 for all 6 toys or only $2.33 each! WOW!

Check your nearby store for details.

Hot Wheel sets, Barbies, Disney craft kits, Little People and lots of pretend play kits. Toys for boys and girls. We chose two boy's toys - trucks. One that was battery/remote operated and one that came with a pull trailer and a 4 Wheeler. They were both so cute!

So we came home and wrapped them up and hope we put a smile on two little boys' faces.

Forty One

2011-12-02T07:09:00.000-08:00

It was immanent.

Unstoppable.

Unavoidable.

I am now both feet on the down side of the forties.

This morning I turned forty one.

Jesus Christ.

I remember my parents in their forties. They were dorks. Super adult. No silliness. All business. Perfect hair. Didn't walk around in PJs all day for no reason at all. Always serious.

That's not me. If the day calls for it, I'm in my jammies all day. I go free-boobing all day. Possibly no make up. I crack up at my kids farts. I'm loud all the time. I make fun of people behind their backs. I don't care if I make a fool of myself.

Then there are those times I can't figure out the remote. Or I have no idea what band my kids are going goo goo over. I have even used the term "you young people". And I get sad. A little piece of me breaks off, lost forever. When did I get old?

I was born forty one years ago today. I shot out of some strangers nether regions in a small town outside of Dallas, Tx. Then I was sold to the circus at two days old. Ok, ok. Not really the circus - but it might as well been. I was raised in a dysfunctional family wrought with abuse on many levels and with blurred lines of what is right and wrong. It seemed that it was OK as long as the mother person said so.

It's been a hell of a ride. Good and bad. When it was good, it was really good. When it was bad, it was fucking horrible. But instead of dwelling on all that shit, I will say THANK YOU.

Thank you to all my friends and loved ones who are here with me today. I love all of you. I may not see you as much as I want. But never fear - I love you and I'm glad I have you in my life.

With that mushy bullshit out of the way - I've gone blonde this week. I'm getting a new tattoo today. I'm walking into 41 with hallucinatory delusion.

French Onion Soup

2011-11-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

French. Onion. Soup.

Uh, yes please! My relationship with French Onion Soup goes back to the 1980s and high school. As a teenager, the one place we used to frequent as teens was Bennigan's. Burgers, Monte Christo's, Cobb Salads...I literally could go on. Well, Bennigan's is gone now, but not the memory of their French Onion Soup. That's the first place I ever tried it, and fell in love.

The buttery soft onions and the sinfully rich tasting broth all under an edible cap of toasted bread and melted cheese. I would order it at pubs and other restaurants around town and honestly I've never had a bad bowl. I mean...it's topped with CHEESE! That's never a bad thing, right?

Ok, before I post the recipe and photos, I must explain a few things. I am still without my Canon Rebel, so the photos aren't up to par. Secondly, I wasn't able to get out and buy the oven proof bowls. And C, since I didn't have the oven proof bowls, I didn't put them under the broiler to melt the cheese. So I improvised and just let the cheese melt in the soup and topped it with a toasted piece of bread.

Here's the incredibly easy recipe :

10 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (Or 5 large yellow onions. *Thanks Carol W!*)
1 stick of butter
A pot of broth - chicken, vegetable, beef (we pre-made chicken broth the night before)
1 cup dry white wine
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
toasted bread - french, sour dough (I used store bought focaccia)
Mozzerella cheese

Bam. That's it. The labor was slicing all those onions. I did it by hand, you may do it by machine - up to you. And then I cried for an hour and sat outside to air out my eyeballs.

Beginning the slicing.

Melt a stick of butter over low heat.

Take breaks to cry.

Over very low heat, cook the onions in the butter. For about an

hour. Stirring constantly and keep a lid on. You don't want them

brown, just soft and almost translucent

After about an hour, add the wine and cook for about

30 minutes.

Heat the broth to a boil and add Worcestershire sauce.

When the onions are done, put them in the broth. At this point

I toasted slices of bread in the oven.

I put the soup in the bowl, added cheese and toasted

bread.

My family had about 3 bowls each. I think they liked it.

Since this was Sunday, I also made loaves of Amish bread. I usually make this bread on Sunday, put one loaf in the freezer until we go through the first. I've stopped buying sandwich bread altogether. There are too many preservatives in our food it disgusts me. Any way I can, I try to cut out as much un-natural things we put in our mouths. We eat this for toast for breakfast, sandwiches, grilled cheese.... its SO good.

This is some of the process of the bread that I managed to snap, the recipe is below.

Ingredients

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Directions

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Why Buy New? Dye them!

2011-10-28T12:13:00.000-07:00

I love RIT dye. I really do. Some of life's problems would be not so bad if we could just put RIT to it for a remedy.

When I redecorated my daughters' bathroom, they wanted hippy Beatles fare and I obliged. Yellow and black seemed the colors that dominated. For whatever reason, whether it was a tumor on my Mom Judgement gland or temporary insanity or sniffing paint fumes, I chose yellow bath mats.

I'm better now.

With all the make up and hair dying that goes on in that bathroom, the bright yellow bath mats got freckled with a rainbow of color. And mama wasn't happy. Enter - RIT DYE.

Rit Dye has a multitude of uses from carpet, clothing and upholstery to the more popular Tie Dyed garb. Years ago I dyed some bath mats from orange to black ....once again for the girls' bathroom. Apparently I don't learn my lessons.

So, here's the yellow rugs. All spotted with multiple

colors of hair dye.

The RIT Dye site will tell you exactly how to

dye your particular fabrics, for mine

it was with salt.

I added salt to dissolve in one pot of water, while another

was getting ready to boil to ensure I had enough water

to cover the rugs.

You can use a bathtub, sink, washer or as I did a

bucket to soak and agitate whatever

you're dying.

*Make sure you follow

instructions as per the website HERE *

Then I threw them in a cold wash cycle for rinsing.

And they came out of the dryer like this!

And they look like this now. Very cute!

I have totally forgotten to show you all the cute knobs I got at

Michael's a while back.

They were on sale a couple of bucks each.

The girls think they're just awesome, and I agree.

What I Refuse To Clean

2011-10-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

There's one corner in my home I refuse to clean. It matters not how many times I've organized it, tidied it, cleaned it......it always ends up the same. Always.

It's the mister's corner. There he has his chair, his side table, his basket (that was purchased to hold all his 'extras') and his bookshelf.

His corner is a mess. Junk mail, books, computer, wires, chargers, dust and crap. I can't take it. I started a blog regarding his socks, that were left on the floor all the time. I don't seem to have that problem anymore. And I'm glad about that. Really glad.

Now it's not just socks....the whole corner has gone crazy So much so that I've stopped even trying.

And I know it shouldn't matter...I really don't give a hoot about a spotless house. If I die tomorrow, the cleanliness of my home won't matter. But dude, come on, just clean it. I haven't dusted in months over there...and he wonders why his allergies are run amuck.

Here's a photo of the den on a good day...his corner is immediately to the left.

And here's the mister's corner.

Decoupage Candle Holders for Fall

2011-10-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

I saw this online.

So I was off....to Family Dollar. And got candle holders, tissue paper, glue...all for a buck each. Ahhh...I love dollar stores.

That's all you need..oh but excuse my toes. Although I am So

loving the color - FingerPaints 'Tiffany Imposter'

I took red and yellow tissue paper...red and yellow make orange! There's the Fall colors....for Christmas I will do some green and red, or maybe red and gold. I'm so excited. I need to get out more.

I put regular white glue in a bowl and a flat paint brush and just started brushing on glue in small sections.

Then apply squares and overlapping them to make orange!

Keep on truckin' till you are all the way around the candle holder.

For the lip at the top, you can just fold it over with the paint brush of glue, it will stick itself.

This part is completely up to you. I took strips and glued them around, then did a very spaced out layer of the squares.

Ta Daa!!

Dollar General Shopping

2011-09-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. I'm addicting to shopping.

BUT - the ONLY way I'll admit to shopping is at Dollar General.

I hate shopping in general....I loathe the mall. I do most my holiday shopping online. I hate crowds and I abhor stupid women shopping with the taste of blood elbowing their way through crowds.

BUT - and this is about the only BUT in shopping for me - I love Dollar General. Because I'm a cheap bitch and I love a good bargain. When I see something in stores or something that someone shows me, I'm the annoying cow that says, "Meh, I could make that myself." or "I can get the same thing at Dollar General for CHEAP!"

Come on, people. Don't be idiots. If you're a dollar store snob, you need a reality check.

Dollar General carries name brands at cheap prices. They also carry their own brand called 'DG'...get it...for Dollar General. They compete with dollar stores and places like Walmart - but Dollar General always gets my business. Walmart - I won't turn my nose up at them, but Dollar General is sometimes just more convenient.

They carry shampoos like Pantene, TRESemme, Pert, Garnier and Suave. Prices run up to $5.00. FIVE BUCKS! Try getting that at other stores. Make up by Cover Girl and LA Colors. Nail polishes and accessories and even glue on false nails. I can get a pack of acrylic nails either in plain (to paint) or French Manicure for roughly 99 cents! CVS sells the same for over $6.00. Glue is separate at Dollar General, but come on, you're saving a bundle!

Deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, cards and wrapping paper, toys, shoes, clothes, seasonal, gardening, cleaning supplies, pet food and supplies, rugs, decor, school supplies, groceries....and more. I can't say it enough...if you haven't tried out a Dollar General - do it.

I also love that when I went yesterday, I was able to pretend for a second that it was holiday season. For that, it made the trip worth it.

Here's a 'for instance'. I colored my hair this weekend - after the grays coming in scared the snot out of me. Normally you would go to a Sally's or Target, CVS or Walmart and purchase Clairol Balsam Hair Color for $2.75. If I had a coupon, it would have been about .25 cents. And in case you're wondering, my hair is shiny and healthy so buying at Dollar General VS any other store is only a factor of saving money.

In conclusion, it's evident that I am a penny pincher. It's also evident that I like looking like I don't live in a trash bag. Furthermore, I have proven my case with regards to my general awesomeness. Just sayin'.

Don't be douchebag - try out a Dollar General.

FISHFOAM GIVEAWAY!

2011-09-12T09:07:00.001-07:00

I'm sharing this with all of you - but to go CURBLY to enter!

I hate to be the one to tell you, but it's September, and that means window-cleaning time. So, we're excited to collaborate with the folks at FishFoam, who offered to let us give away three cases of their premium foaming glass cleaner to three lucky Curbly readers. FishFoam is a professional-grade, ammonia-free cleaner that won't leave streaks or haze.

↓ Continue reading

Photo: Chris got to try a few cans of this stuff, and it's awesome.

Each case retails for $42, and contains 12 19-oz. cans of cleaner, so you'll have plenty for all your windows, and maybe your neighbors', too.

How To Enter to Win:

To win this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post:

Leave a comment in the section below. In it, tell us what you'll clean with your case of FishFoam, or just say 'Hey.'
Make sure you enter a valid email address in the e-mail field (don't worry, that info is kept private).
Hurry, the giveaway ends at 11:59p CST, on Sunday September 18th, 2011.
Giveaway open only to U.S. residents
3 winners will be selected randomly from the entries

That's all there is to it! But wait....

You can increase your chances of winning by sharing the giveaway on your own blog, Facebook, or Twitter. For each additional mention of the giveaway, we'll give you an extra entry in the contest (thus improving your odds)
Use the easy share buttons below, and make sure to leave a comment linking your blog post, Tweet or FB status update!

Above: A shot of Chris cleaning his windows with FishFoam; yeah, it's a little tough to get on camera, but the product works great.

The contest is open now and ends on 11:59p CST on Sunday, September 18th, 2011.

Good luck! We hope you win.

Every Body In The Pot - Soup

2011-09-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

I wasn't even going to do a recipe blog today, but like my friend Amanda says - if I had five minutes to myself I'd probably blog about it. I hate to make her wrong, so here we go.

Here in Spring, Texas - it's been a bit of a crazy time as of late. Wildfires all around us. Literally going outside to the smell and haze of smoke. People are losing homes, livestock, pets, belongings. It's sickening. With no rain in sight, I feel helpless....as do so many others.

The Texas fires could (and can) be seen from outer space.

True-color image taken by NASA's Aqua satellite of the the fires burning near Austin, Texas on September 5, 2011. Image credit: NASA.

We've also finally got some cooler temps this week. Waking up to 50 degree weather has been a God send. It's been wonderful not feeling the 115 degree heat index beating down on me just on the walk from the office building to my car, then a car trip home in a car that's hot enough to bake bread in. UGH!

So, yesterday I felt in a soup mood. I also felt in the mood to go through some frozen veggies we had lingering in the freezer. It felt like a Clean Out The Fridge Soup day.

I had peas, broccoli, yellow squash from the freezer. Tomatoes and brown rice from the pantry. Toss in some frozen homemade broth, seasonings, lemon zest and herbs leftover from this years basil and thyme plants. Voila.

I want to stop for a second and talk about rice. We've stopped eating white rice a while ago. We know brown is just better for you. It's way more hardy to stand up in soups than white rice any day. If you toss in white rice with a soup - you better be prepared to eat every last spoonful of that soup within twenty minutes of it being made. If not, it turns to MUSH. I used to make white rice separate from the soup, then ladle in rice and ladle in soup into bowls. Whatever. SO over it now. Brown rice is so hardy that even the next day, eating leftover soup (as I just did) it holds it's shape, taste and consistency very well.

Ok. Anyway - I boiled some leftover frozen stock I made (who knows when) with some extra water and seasonings and tossed in about 2 1/2 cups of rice. I boiled the rice for about 35 minutes or so and then added all my veggies and seasoned again and let that all cook for about another 20 minutes.

I apologize for the photo - as I said, I was not planning on blogging this, so it was taken with my cell phone in mid-munchage. *Correction - my daughter, Jessa, took this photo because she's awesome she reminded me.*

It was delicious. Devine. Delovely. And now, de-gone. I saved enough for two lunch leftovers for me and my monkee and the mister has a leftover bowl in the fridge as well. I think I may tell him to add some Tabasco or salsa in his....God that sounds awesome.

Harold Kelly-Melange Catering-Fox 26 Houston

2011-09-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

My gorgeously talented handsome friend, Harold Kelly of Melange Catering, was on FOX 26 this morning with nommies for the tailgating season!

I have to say, the physical will power that Harold and Cleverley Stone have is impeccable. I would have already had myself thrown on the table and grazing before the cameras cut on. Bravo, you two! For more information about food, wine and dining in Houston, catch Cleverley’s radio show Saturdays at Noon on Talk 650 AM.

With football season, and hopefully cooler weather, on the horizon, Harold brought us some tasty goodies that are easy to prepare and easier to devour. There were Kegs and Eggs, which is a creamy 'deviled' egg recipe with, you guessed it, BEER! There were dessert nachos that made my mouth water!

Let's just watch the video, shall we? I can't think over the sound of my own tumbly making a grumbly!

Football Season Means Tailgating Food: MyFoxHOUSTON.com

My Friendship Bracelet Giveaway! (ends TODAY!)

2011-09-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

I follow Shibley Smiles' Blog and forgot to blog about a giveaway for My Friendship Bracelets!

Price: $18.99 at Amazon.com this is the price we would expect to pay for a toy like this.

Quality: We rate the quality as average. It appears to be sturdy and doesn’t appear to break easily. We believe it will be durable and can be used time and time again.

Age: For play by ones self we recommend age 7-13. Though at a younger age it can be a fun time for mother and daughter.

Recommendation: Though we do not believe the maker is necessary to make friendship bracelets we do feel this would be an easier way for children to learn to make them.

GO HERE TO ENTER!

We Made Candles

2011-09-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter had some leftover wax from a candle she LOVED the smell of. So, I went to Micheal's and purchased some wicks and some small votive glasses.

Normally when I make candles, I hold the wick up with a pencil, these were small votive glasses so I used toothpicks. I saved the parts of the wicks I cut off at the end for more candles later.

There's the wax

There's the ready votive

Melting the wax on LOW heat

Stirring.....

Pouring....

Cooling..

And cutting the wicks...

I had a weensie bit of wax left, so I evened out the tops

THIS IS A PREVIEW OF WHAT I HOPE TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS CENTERPIECES THIS YEAR

Derek Anderson - Help His Family!

2011-09-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

When you take your life for granted, something happens to make you put everything into perspective. We sit and moan and groan over bills, or a bad hair day or maybe the fact that you forgot to pick up milk after work. Maybe you're mad at your mate or spouse for some minuscule thing they did or said, or didn't say.

All those things seem like vapor when a tragedy happens.

Thanks to Facebook, I've reconnected with so many old classmates from highschool. One of which is Stephanie. She was a grade ahead of me in highschool and after more than twenty years, via Facebook, I got to peek inside her life as a grown up and see her husband and kids and life. Just amazing.As we all do, we watch our friends and vice versa, as we vacation or throw a party and celebrate occasions no matter how far away we are at the time. Stephanie and her husband took a trip to Kentucky to visit with another couple, Derek and Coni. I enjoyed looking at the photos and it certainly looked like they were having a blast! Relaxing on the beach, catching up over drinks with friends....

Everyone looked so happy and in the moment. Stephanie posted a status update about riding motorcycles, seeing horse farms and having a blast with their friends. It sounded wonderful! Then I started seeing comments from her friends regarding prayers. "Praying for you!" "You are in our prayers"

On July 2, the four friends were riding motorcycles and were involved in an accident. The motorcycle Stephanie's friends were on (Coni and Derek) hit the side of a box trailer which sent them head on into a car in the on-coming lane. Derek died instantly. I cannot imagine. I cannot even begin to imagine how to process that sentence from a wife's point of view. Coni shattered her pelvis, had internal bleeding, received six pints of blood in the ER and ruptured her bladder. She has a fixator, which should come off mid-September. She's got a plate in her back and is non-weight bearing, which means full time in a wheel chair. She's got a long road ahead of her that has been wrought with pain, fevers and trips back to the hospital.

Derek was only 40 years old. Coni and Derek have two small boys, ages 8 and 9. Coni was left without a husband and the boys without a father. I can't process it. Derek died instantly. Gone. So many people lost a wonderful man in a flash that turned their worlds upside down.

In the blink of an eye to lose the everything in your life is unimaginable and heart wrenching. Not only did Coni have to endure the pain of losing Derek, she's had to endure her own physical pain and recovery. Not to mention carrying on for their two sons.

I feel helpless. Utterly helpless. To not have the chance to say one last 'I love you'. To not have the chance for a last hug or cuddle. To never be able to take for granted he's there. I can't fathom the pain Coni must be feeling.

I want to challenge my readers and friends. I want you to pass this on to as many people as you can. I want you to donate and encourage your friends to donate to Coni's family...for herself and her boys.

Please pass this on, repost as many times as you can. Put yourself in Coni's place and pain. And hug your loved ones today. Tell them you love them.

Donations may be made to Ethan and Garrett Anderson Fund, c/o Fifth Third Bank and The Derek Anderson Education Fund, c/o Central Bank, 321 West Main St. Louisville, KY 40202

Food Processor Giveaway!

2011-09-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Giveaway – A brand new food processor

Sponsored by m2cmart.com

FOR MY DEAREST READERS, I HAVE BEEN CONTACTING TO HAVE A KITCHEN WARE TO DO A GIVEAWAY FOR THE WHOLE AUGUST AND I FINALLY MADE IT! IT IS MY HONOR TO HAVE THE KETUO 10-CUP MULTI FOOD PROCESSOR LSM-380 8 IN 1 TO REVIEW AND DO GIVEAWAY.

I LOVE IT CUZ IT REALLY CAN DO THE WORK! THE EXTERIOR IS EASY TO CLEAN AND THE BLADES ARE SHARP AND CAN DO THE SHREDDING, SLICING AND BLENDING REALLY WELL. IT IS OF FAMILY SIZE THAT FITS IN LOTS OF STUFFS.

Dry breaking glasses Stainless steel blade & shredding disc

Making Celery Carrot Apple Juice

PS: A whole carrot takes about 1 minute to be blended with about 70-100 ml water. I was no fan of carrots, yet I really fell in love with the fresh & sweet combination of mixed juice!

Using French Disc

PS: Two halves of a potato was shred as soon as you put it in! Fries were just like those from Burger King’s but non-fried!

Stainless Steel Blade and Meat Paste

PS: Half a kilo of pork was minced within 1 minute! I just like the thick & soft texture it feels! And you can switch to higher speed for better-bonded paste. It has 5 speed mode.

IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GIVING UP COOKING A DISH OR MAKING A JUICE BLEND, DON’T HESITATE TO READ THE DETAILED PRODUCT REVIEW WRITTEN BY ME. IN THIS PR, MAYBE YOU CAN DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF FOOD PROCESSOR ITSELF, RATHER THAN BUYING A PRODUCT WITH ITS BRAND WHICH IS LIKELY TO BE EXPENSIVE. NOWADAYS, WE’D LIKE TO LET THE MACHINES HELP. MY OPINION IS TO PICK THE ONE MOST SUITABLE FOR YOU AND CAN WORK.

PRODUCT REVIEW IS PHOTOS OF PROCESS. (FRENCH FRIES, MEAT PASTE, JUICE)

SKDELICIOUSRECIPES BLOG READERS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO WIN A FREE FOOD PROCESSOR!

PRIZE: KETUO 10-CUP MULTI FOOD PROCESSOR LSM-380 120V 60HZ 650W 8 IN 1!

*MANDATORY ENTRIES:

1. To enter this giveaway please "like" skdeliciousrecipes and m2cmart.comon Facebook.

2. Visit: www.m2cmart.com, log in with your facebook account, “like” & share to your facebook wall. And don’t hesitate to leave a comment telling me which product you like best so as I may figure out what to review next time.

* WANT MORE EXTRA ENTRIES?

1 entry - Follow @Recipedeliciou1 on Twitter.

1 entry - Follow @m2cmart on Twitter.

1 entries- Tweet about this free giveaway: #Giveaway enter to win multi-functioned food processor for fries, juice & meat paste @Recipedeliciou1 @m2cmart

1 entry – Wall Post this giveaway: Enter to win multi-functioned food processor for fries, juice & meat paste +URL

1 entry- subscribe to http://feeds.feedburner.com/shirleysdeliciousrecipesfeeds

1 entry- subscribe to http://feeds.feedburner.com/m2cmart feeds.

3 entry - Blog about this free giveaway and post the link here.
3 entries-Submit this giveaway to a giveaway site and comment here.

Post about this giveaway in any other network you are active would be counted as an entry too.

Home Schooling 2011-2012

2011-08-31T11:16:00.000-07:00

We made it through one year! My daughter is now entering her second year of home schooling, and is in the 9th Grade! The MoommieDawn School Year will begin after Labor Day. We have all our school supplies, notebooks, folders and a back pack we just chose yesterday.

This year I felt I would take a different approach. Last year, I made up her schedule month by month with two subjects being studied per day and Friday's being her Novel Reading Day. Friday's will remain the same, but I am having her do only one subject of study a day. I feel this will give her ample time per subject and allow more to sink in.

For Science, I'm using the wealth available online. Here's one place. And here's another place. I've made each lesson last for two weeks. Tuesday will be her Science day, so one Tuesday she'll do half the work, and finish up the next Tuesday. There's writing, online searching, mapping, experiments and so on that I've intertwined with answer and question pages.

I'm having her do US History this year. I'm taking full advantage of PBS and The History Channel websites for shows on any given subject we happen to be on. I will also have her go online to add to whatever she's studying in her book.

Pre-Algebra - gag. That's what I have to say. This will be strictly book learnin' yall. I will not nor would I want to add anything to it. Math's challenging enough for the both of us.

And lastly English - this will include Spelling and Writing. I'm going to the Teacher Supply store in our neighborhood to find workbooks today. I have yet to find anything out on the interwebs I'm happy with. So, this one's still a 'Let's See' issue.

Homemade Beignets

2011-08-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

For about a month now, my youngest daughter has been asking for beignets. I've had them in New Orleans at Cafe Du Monde. They are delicious! My kids have had them at Crescent City Beignets in Houston. So, it's not like they've not ever had them - I had to live up to at least something resembling nommie goodness!

Who doesn't love a fresh warm fried dough blob covered in powdered sugar?! YUM!

I knew in my heart of hearts there is no way I can cook anything close to Cafe Du Monde. Ever. But I also know that I wanted to try to make it from scratch, and not the boxed mix they sell. So, there it was. Several different recipes for me to choose from.

There are yeast batters and no yeast batters. I chose (for this time) a no yeast recipe. This recipe contained 4 eggs, so if I didn't cook the beignet completely, it had a custardy middle. No one complained, but I knew it and was aware of it and doubted myself all through breakfast. I will make beignets again, I'll just wait for the cooler months - if we get any. Sweating like a hog in a fur coat is none too pleasant, if you asked me.

Yeast Free Beignets

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
oil for deep frying
All the Powdered Sugar you desire for heavenly nommie-ness

How to make it

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter in the water.

Add salt and flour, and stir until a sticky batter is formed.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until the batter is smooth.

Heat the oil to 375F.
Fry mounded teaspoons of dough, several at a time, for about 6 minutes.
They are done when they are light, golden brown on each side.

Sad first attempt....

That looks more like it!

Drain them for a few minutes on a clean kitchen towel and serve warm, dusted with the confectioners’ sugar.
This beignets recipe makes 28 to 32 fritters

My first attempt at frying them up looked like I was frying large tadpoles. It took a little white to master the scoop and plop method, as I called it. As I mentioned before, in the end I think I made them too large of spoonfuls - but whatever. They still got eaten.

Egg In A Nest

2011-08-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Last night as I was preparing dinner, I threw out the idea of breakfast (since we don't officially start the Breakfast Planner until Monday). Egg in a Nest and turkey bacon? I got the raised eyebrows and the head nods.

Ok. Cool.

This is something I had never heard of before maybe 18 years ago. My ex mother in law taught me. It's sometimes called Eggs in a Basket too. So here ya go.

Get a piece of bread, and either with cookie cutter or a small rimmed glass, but a hole in that bread.

Put some butter in the skillet and put in your bread and little circle and crack an egg in the middle of your hole. If you don't want a yolk, you can add it scrambled too.

After a few minutes on one side, flip it and cook the other side. And voila!

I also made some nommie turkey bacon.

I'd like to make a note that not one of these photos are mine. As awesome as I pretend to be, there was no way I was getting this done with my own pics.

I had managed to wake up, potty, wake up my 14 year old, say good morning to the other two teens and scoot to the kitchen to cook....in my jammies. In the middle of cooking, my daughter from anotha mutha asked for a french braid. So I made four breakfasts, passed them out, snarfed mine, french braided a head, threw on some clothes, had coffee and a smoke (that's my five moments of destressing in the AM). The minimal in make up was applied to my face and threw on a pair of random glasses of mine. Then packed them all in the car, dropped off two at the high school and trekked to the office with my 14 year old in tow to come face to face with the thorn in my side for the past two months - Quickbooks 2011.

Now, I do all that and could do it every morning, and probably the odds are I will do that on most every morning. I just do it. A lot of us mom's just do it. We don't complain, we just do it. I think it's woven in the tapestry that is our DNA of motherhood. Who needs a ride to school? Who needs to be picked up? Who needs to be dropped off? It's just life....the life of a mom. What I have on my agenda really doesn't matter, because I'll squeeze it in somewhere. Done.

Toss a question to a man, say like 'Can you, once a week, wake up a half hour earlier and drop off the teen to school?" See how it ends up.

School Year Breakfasts

2011-08-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

I made pancakes this morning for breakfast, trying to get back into the swing of the school year again. During the school year, I make breakfast every morning for my family....as a mom it's something that I do because I want to make sure they all start their day with full tummies of MommieDawn Love.

In years' past I made spur of the moment breakfasts - eggs and toast, breakfast tacos or egg in a nest etc. There was a day here or there that I'd prepare a breakfast casserole the night before...but I'm not that awesome all the time. ;)

This year I decided to make a weekly planner to put on the fridge of breakfasts in advance that we all choose. At the top it says "Pancakes/Oatmeal/Eggs & ??/French Toast/Breakfast Tacos". Five meals that can be varied and not boring - like oatmeal can mean a bowl of oatmeal, or oat muffins...or even oatmeal cookies I'd make the night before.

You can go to http://www.printfree.com/ for free printable calendars

and so much more! I've used and abused this website!

So, as I said earlier, this morning I made pancakes. I plan to share other more fun ideas in the near future - like egg in a nest or frittatas and breakfast casseroles.

Grilled Tortilla Pizzas

2011-08-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

I picked a swell day to fire up the grill yesterday. After three attempts to get the coals going, it finally started. But so did the dark clouds overhead.

Here in south Texas, we've hit multiple weeks of digits in the 100's and heat indexes higher than that. We have had no rain forever - my yard, plants and trees are withered and dried up like crazy. Then comes the gusty crazy wind! I had my camera with me outside and took a quick video of just a hint of the wind. I was waiting for my trees to snap like twigs on top of me!

Excuse the shotty camera work, I was being pelted in the face with dirt

and twigs and leaves.

Now on to the pizzas.

You simply take flour tortillas (despite a plea from my 17 year old, I did not make my own this time) and top them with sauce, veggies, cooked meat and cheeses. Your choice. Mine was Alfredo sauce, fresh spinach, cooked chicken, mozzarella cheese and a three cheese blend. You want your meats cooked because these only stay on the pit long enough to crisp up the tortillas and melt the cheese.

Although the chicken was cooked, the small time on the grill infuses them with the smoky flavor. I was able to cook four pizzas at a time, which enabled me to stuff some teenage faces while cooking four more. Mama got to eat when all the pizzas were done. :)

*New Camera In The Works - So More Sucky Pics Below*

*With My Sucky Camera*

I boiled chicken tenders. It worked out that one chicken

tender was perfect for one pizza. You can grill, saute and season

any way you want, just cook it.

On goes Alfredo...

On goes rough cut fresh spinach...

On goes chicken...

On goes cheese...

Put on the pit for about 10 minutes (more or less depending on

the heat in your pit)

OM NOMMIE!!

My Kaleidoscope Child

2011-08-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

I love that my kids feel free to express themselves.

Back in my day, we were to be seen - polished and pristine - and definitely not heard. I could color my hair - but only 'natural' and 'acceptable' colors. Make up was a must, as I was told many times, "You are not leaving your room or this house without make up!"

My 14 year old loves to color her hair and experiment with make up, and I'm here to enjoy the view! She's been so many shades and I've loved all of them.

This is my Jessa, as I call her, my baby. She came into this world very quietly, as she
burst her teeny lungs with her first breathe. As a teenager, she's still
very soft spoken. But she holds a world of creativity within from artistic
to musical. She's kind. She's sweet. She's helpful. She's hilarious.

She's my Jessa.

Jessa has grown
into a young woman with grace, and puts me in awe daily.

I love you my sweet girl.

My Kaleidoscope Child.

My Baby Is A Senior

2011-08-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

Where did the time go?

It seems like in the blink of an eye she grew up.

My first born, my sweet little girl. Sucking on her nana's and those huge chipmunk cheeks!

Now - she's a Senior in high school. Almost grown. Almost on her own.

I'll stop being a sissie now. I know she hates it and she knows I'm working on it.

I love you, my baby girl!

I Wonder What To Do?

2011-08-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

If I were given five minutes to myself, I'm afraid it would be wasted.

Why, just for an example, while I've attempted to make this short blog entry - I've been interrupted numerous times by texts, phone, etc.

So, if it were ever thrust upon me to give myself five WHOLE minutes to do what my tiny, cold, black heart wants...I'd not have a clue.

I love you Amanda.

The Help

2011-08-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to give anything away with the movie The Help. We all know it's about a white woman telling the stories of the help, maids, in the early 1960s.

These black women raised white children for sometimes over twenty years at a time, while their own children went without them. They were worked to the bone for very little money. They were talked down to, humiliated and treated like trash.

The movie is very raw in the treatment of blacks at that time. And it disgusts me to be American and worse yet, a Southerner, given where we were at then. But this is the present. Right? Yes, but treatment and ideals of the nature of The Help still occur.

The idea that the color of one's skin got you treated like disease ridden low life's is sickening. These white families thought the blacks carried diseases - and made them use outside toilets. Heaven forbid the use the white family's toilets. Yet, the whites had the blacks prepare their food, wash and dress and toilet train their children and handle just about every other task of life in their home.

I'll end with this. All I have to say to whites who STILL think this way is "Eat Shit".

Temper Trantrums

2011-08-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

The question was posed on Facebook by a soon-to-be first time mommie yesterday evening.

"I'm taking a Facebook Mommy Poll: What do you do (or did you do) when your child throws a tantrum in the middle of a store?"

I come from an upbringing as a child of the 1970's when it was OK to smack your kids around. We endured spankings, yellings and the 'Pull Your Pants Down And Bend Over' scenarios all too often. I've been backhanded by both parents, my oldest brother had his arm broken while being held down and I've had my lip ripped open by a slap with mother's wedding ring turned to palm side. The fear was put into us.

Fear.

Sorry, but in my opinion of parenting, fear is the last thing I want my daughters to think when they think of me. I've been mocked and I've been stared at with my parenting skills. I've also been told that I have the patience of Mother Theresa. Maybe I do. Or maybe I just parent the opposite of the way I was parented.

I hit my oldest daughter once. Once. It was in the throws of an ugly divorce, I was a single mother with two babies trying to make ends meet...add on whatever other excuse for myself to make it seem justified. I hit her. Hard. The hardest spanking known to man, in my opinion.    She cried and I cried and after I collected myself I apologized to her. The look she gave me while I hit her was probably the look I gave my father. I didn't ever want to see that face again from my child.

When my daughters were punished, they went to the Time Out Wall. Hands behind their back, nose to the wall. One minute per year of their age. Then afterwards we would have a discussion about why they went to time out and how to correct the issue.

My daughters didn't have many tantrums in public places. I always made sure I was strapped down with juices, snacks, books, toys etc as comfort items. But, it did happen on occasion. And when it did, I reacted the same. I got down on to their level and spoke calmly to them. Generally I knew what was bothering them because I'm attentive. Whatever shopping I was doing at the moment ceased and did not begin again until the fussing subsided.

To all the other parents who glared at me, suck it. I don't care if I temporarily put out a parent or person within hearing range of my child. They are the adults, she was a child. Sorry, she comes first. But I also got some smiling nods for my job of calming my child without making a scene, dragging her through the store kicking and screaming or smacking the snot out of her.

Now, with all that said, I was shocked at some of the responses I read on my friends Facebook in response to her question. Shocked.

ME - Everytime I got on their level and spoke very softly to them to calm them. I always went in with a bag of snacks, toys etc. I never yelled or jerked at them. Never. One will find while my approach takes longer, the outcome is better for all involved. And the best advice - ignore anyone around you. They can be so cruel and rude.

MALE 1 - Provide ear plugs for her Uncle

ME - I think this shall be a blog subject.

MOM 1 - I am living this now with my 2 year old. My boys never did this, though! So it was all new! She was given her warning to settle down, when she didn't, we went to the time out spot in target (amazing they have one!) She already knew and had plenty experience in time outs :)! She sat in the bathroom til she calmed down. It usually works. But one time we did leave the store.

MOM 1 - Amen, dawn!! I agree with the ignoring those arounnd u!

ME - What's so heartbreaking to me is that at the time I didn't realize one of mine was autistic and was in sensory overload, but I have peace in knowing I handled it well. Ugh isn't it the truth MOM 1?! I got so much crap for breast feeding when the time called. Totally covered up and people stared at me as if I was douching in public!

MOM 2 - Tara was tryng to get her way, at greenspoint mall I just left her

MOM 3 - depends, with my kids i spanked their butts but grandsons.....i get them whatever they are throwing a fit for...problem solved...thats how us nana's roll!

MOM 4 - I don't recall mine ever throwing tantrums in public. But I was in and out of those stores like a NINJA! You gotta be quick!

MOM 5 - I'll second the "time out bathroom" - always worked for mine....TIP: pick them up and practically RUN to the bathroom with them...by the time you get there they are so freaked out that all you have to do is ask if they are ready to go back in public...usually you'll get a teary eyed yes ma'am.

MOM 6 - Ignore it.

MOM 7 - I have pretended I am leaving them there to throw their fit. They have straightened up right away! My dd would freak if I'm more than an inch away from her.

MOM 8 - Give a warning and then remove him to talk about it. If we're eating, I will take him to the bathroom and have a talk about what I expect. I make sure to go over what we're doing BEFORE we get to a place. We haven't had a real tanrtum in public yet, knock on wood.

Male 2 - Children shouldn't be allowed in Public !

Male 2 - P.S. With my (3) boys,I would tear their little Butts up and that only had to happen once or twice.They all turned out pretty good.

MOM 9 -  Once with Lianna Jr I left her screaming in the middle of the mall. Of course I was hiding behind a pole but she didn't know that. Once she realized I wasn't trying to manage her she stopped screaming and started looking for me. The rest of the shopping was a breeze.

MOM 10 -  grab them and go! just leave everything in the basket and go! I've done it before and every other mom has done it before me. seriously, happens more than you know.

Male 3 - Put the fear of god in them...you are god until they get a job.

MOM 11 - 1 warning. Then a spanking would ensure. I guarantee you that will only have to occur once. It will mortify them with public embarassment. Rylee tried that 1 time when he was about 3, I very calmly told him, this is your only warning, after that I will spank you in front of everyone in this store, he didn't believe me. He's 9 now and he knows that in public I can embarrass him more than he can me. He knows I don't play.....He also saw me spank a total strangers child in the grocery store. (not a 'real' spanking just a swat on the bottom) for pouring out cereal boxes in the aisle for fun. I didn't think out was funny and neither did his mom when I returned him. My son does NOT act out in public now, he's terrified of what would happen. Funny thing he's only had 3 spankings EVER.
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MOM 12 -  I agree with MOM 11. I always removed mine from the scene, quickly. The way I see it, ignoring it is still condoning it, because you aten't doing anything about it. I also figure that no one else who is trying to eat or shop or whatever, should have to listen to that. Maybe they left their own kids with a sitter to get a much needed break. I let my kids know what was expected, and then followed through every time. Consequently, I've always been able to take mine anywhere and know they will behave.

MOM 13 - Mom?! You left me at Greenspoint mall? What the hell is wrong with you?! Anyway- now that I've chosen my mother-of-the-year nominee.... I don't think other people should have to listen your kids throwing fits. It happens to everyone, even with great kids. 1 stern warning, next comes proof that it won't fly with me. Those fits cease to occur.

Me - This will be a great blog entry. I cannot believe some of the responses I'm reading.

MOM 14 - I'm with Nana on this one; we cd spank when the boys were growing up, now CPS wd be called, so buy them whatever, within reason, enjoy ur shopping, leave it to their parents, paid my dues, lol

Leaving your child at the Mall?!?! Are you KIDDING ME?!?! I don't care if you're hiding behind a pole or not. That is just cruel. The utter helplessness that child must have felt while thinking their mother abandoned them. It's not the least bit funny to me.

And as far as other people having to listen to my kids throw a fit - get over it. When in public, it's a shared space. Sometimes I'd rather not watch a parent smack their kids while holding them up by one arm. I'd rather not watch a helpless child thinking their parent left them there. I'd rather not look at some woman's fat ass in a pair of Juicy shorts ten sizes too small. But I endure it.

A mother once told me sometimes she has to lie down with her son while he's sleeping and remind herself why she had him. WHAT?! I cannot fathom that. I have never had to remind myself why I had my children. When children act out, they are simply wanting attention. What's it going to kill to give them that?

All these years later, the proof that I handled my children in the best manner and in their best interest is in the pudding. Although I didn't know it at the time, my youngest was autistic. The fits she threw in public were due to being on sensory overload. Noises, people, surroundings - everything may throw her off and she would shut down or wail. Regardless, I handled it calmly. If I were to yell at her, smack her or drag her around by her arm - those would all have been detrimental to her. And to myself. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

She's now almost 15 and has no memories of her mother smacking her, popping her, yelling at her at a time she needed calmness and understanding. My oldest is almost 18. The proof of not putting FEAR in her is in the way of the trust we have in each other. The openness and the love. My kids know they can come to me with everything. Because they know my reaction, regardless of what they're bringing to the table, will be a calm one. My kids' friends hang out at our house. Not held away behind the closed door of my kid(s). But in the family room, the kitchen and having fun. I'm MommieDawn to everyone.

My kids have never sneaked out. They don't steal from us. They don't lie about where they're going. They always keep in touch while they're out. They don't drink. They don't do drugs. They don't have sex. They don't hide things. When I hear friends talk about the problems they have had or are having with their teenagers, it's almost hard for me to relate because the worst things my kids do is not follow their Chore Charts.

At the age of 17, my oldest daughter's age, I was drinking, sneaking out, doing drugs, not having sex but was promiscuous. I lied to my parents about my whereabouts. I knew how to lie well to them. I knew how to sneak around. The word 'dysfunction' doesn't come close to my upbringing. I wanted different for my children and I achieved it.

I will break my arm patting myself for the job I've done as a parent. I've tried my damnedest at it. And at the end of my life, I hope to look back with no regrets when it comes to my kids. The regrets I have are only monetary ones and the struggles I had as a single mother. But I will never regret the way I parent them. These mothers who leave their child abandoned to teach them a lesson or smack them should be ashamed of themselves.

Homemade Brownies Calmed the Mama Beast

2011-08-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

Chocolate may not actually cure anything - but it sure does make you feel a hell of a lot better!

I fired myself this week.

I fired myself from picking up after everyone. I came home Friday, after work, to a messy kitchen and my two kids lounging. Laptop and TV going. How nice it must be. While I work an 8 or 9 hour day, drive home in 100+ degree heat in a car who's AC is a moron. All I want to do is come home, change clothes and relax a bit. Riiight.

My kids have laxed way too much this Summer. So much so, that they have totally forgotten they have chore charts on the fridge. Just because it's Summer doesn't mean the chores take the Summer off too. So I walk in the house to a dirty kitchen and a messy house. Then my 17 year old wants to go to a movie that STARTS at 9 50pm. Really? The movie STARTS at nearly 10pm and you want to go? Uh, no. When I say no, apparently I've ruined her life. Gawd, I'm so uncool.

I fear for my children when they are out on their own. They may qualify for a Sibling Edition of Hoarders. I think I may have spoiled them their whole lives by doing so much for them. I've always organized their rooms, laid out their clothes, done their laundry bla bla bla. Now into their teens, I'm leaving some of this up to them and it's not promising. I'm afraid to enter my 17 year old's room most the time. And my 14 year old's room is in a constant state of disarray. I can't take it - I just may have to go in there this weekend and fix it myself. THAT'S where I eff up! I do it myself. Always. And then I'm mad that I did. It's never ending. See how that whole putting my foot down thing works out for me?

Saturday the mister and I got into a scuffle over laundry. He's tired of the girls doing their laundry unaccordingly of their chore charts. He also got mad because he asked one of them to take his laundry out of the dryer as soon is it's dry to avoid wrinkling. It didn't happen. And heaven forbid my husband do any chores on his day off. This makes him crazy. I offered to iron them - it wouldn't have taken me 10 minutes to iron the damn clothes. But no. He WASHES and DRIES them again. What? This made perfect sense to him. Then he loses his temper (he's got a short wick - he thinks he doesn't) and the argument goes from me saying it's stupid to REWASH shit when I've offered to IRON it to him saying I never discipline my kids. Then getting mad because one of the kids keeps the Playstation in her room - she's the only one who plays it, by the way. But the rude remark he made "I didn't spend $400.00 on HER!" was enough and he made the wise decision of running some errands. He got out of the house before I reminded him of his section of the living room.....Or about the old dishwasher that's STILL sitting in the garage SINCE FATHER'S DAY that needs to be gotten rid of...or of the cigar case sitting in the entry that has gone NO WHERE. No, I kept it to myself.

Discipline - yes I do discipline my kids. But I have to say, mine never sneak out, steal from me, do drugs, hide drugs, have sex, go to parties, skip school. The worst that they do is not do their chores. I spent an entire Sunday in my house with 3 seventeen year old's in the same room! When I was seventeen, the last place I wanted to be was around my mother - let alone with friends in tow.

These are the weird teenagers

DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS LAZY SUNDAY - ALL THE PHOTOS SUCK

By Sunday I pretty much said Fuck You to the world. The mister left for work, my oldest had a sleepover and I was going to stay in my pajamas and watch Netflix on TV all day. Which is what I did. Having young people in the house keeps me young, and happy. Watching them be silly and laugh and crack each other up while I take my seat on the sofa to enjoy them is just refreshing for me. I did have my kids periodically get up and accomplish a few things - just to keep the Mommie Crown on my head.

Well into the second movie of Sunday Movie Marathon, I asked who wanted brownies....and I was off looking up a recipe. I'm not sure if I've ever posted this before, but I had to....whether it was 'again' or not. These are fudgy cakey brownies that are to die for. And with an easy icing and a chopstick, watch out! These are killer brownies.

Easy Brownies made with cocoa

Ingredients
¾ cup butter
1½ cup sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
a pinch of salt

Preheat your oven to 350 and grease an 8x8 baking dish with butter. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth and pour into the greased dish. Spread out the batter until it's level and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. While it's baking - make the icing.
*I baked them closer to 30 minutes FYI
Take them out of the oven when a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Take a chopstick (or something else about the same size) and make about 30 holes all over the cooling brownies. Then spread the icing on top. As the icing melts from the heat of the brownies, it will sink into the holes you poked. Constantly move the icing around to ensure it's in all the holes and let cool.

Then EAT!

Buttercream cocoa frosting

½ cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
About 5 tablespoons lukewarm milk

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, and add gradually powdered sugar and cocoa; add a tablespoon of lukewarm milk in between, when needed. Add vanilla extract, and mix until smooth; do not over-mix.

Here are the brownies while waiting for them to cool.

And here are the brownies this morning...there will be nothing left when I come home...and I think I'll be making another batch. LOL

Now - my goal this week is to get the girls BACK on their chore charts and laundry days if it kills me. Starting today.

Homemade Fish Tacos

2011-08-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

For Made By You Monday and Skip To My Lou!

And when I say homemade, I mean everything from scratch. The only thing I didn't do was catch and clean the damn fish.

I'll admit it, I'm insane. I worked 8 hours, got into a car with the temperature of the surface of the Sun, stopped at the grocery to pick up all the fresh veggies then home to make everything. We didn't get to eat until about 8 30pm. Ugh. But I am a glutten for punishment.

My sister-in-law is convinced my house would smell nasty...making fish and all. Apparently, she doesn't like fish...except for sushi. It's hard to argue when I love sushi so much myself, but honestly, the house did not stink. My original idea was to grill the fish, but when the time came and I had been prepping and cooking for over an hour in a hot kitchen - grilling was out. I broiled it. And it smelled wonderful!

The fish taco started with just the idea of tortillas. I wanted to make homemade tortillas and show my girls how easy it is to make them from scratch. And it was also to reminisce about their grandmother, Tita, may her sweet soul rest in peace. Tita taught me how to make homemade tortillas when I was still married to my daughters' father. She taught me a lot, honestly. And to this day, without fail, whenever I'm cutting up fresh cilantro she comes to mind. Every single day she made a fresh pot of beans with fresh cilantro. Every morning I was there, they were in the pot and the house smelled wonderful. So, that was it. From scratch tortillas. Now, what to fill them with?

I think you know it's Summer and it's Africa hot. We are well past 20 days with consecutive 100+ degree heat and no rain. I didn't feel like a hot steamy pile of fillings inside a hot tortilla like beans and rice and chicken. Phew.

So what's the next best thing to fill a tortilla with? FISH! Then I decided to make fresh salsa and a yogurt sauce. Mmmm.

Now before you think this is all so hard, it's not. Just a little time consuming and as of late I can't stand for more than maybe 10 minutes at a time, so things take three times as long for me to do these days. When I've made salsa in the past, I've chopped every single ingredient by hand. Tomatoes, garlic, onions, cilantro, peppers. This time, I opted for canned tomatoes and it was as fresh as anything! The yogurt sauce is even easier. It's the tortillas that are time consuming, because I had to cook one at a time and I made about 20.

Let's start with the salsa. And again, pardon the photos...my Rebel is still sick.

SALSA

A lime (use 1/2 at first)

Large can of stewed whole tomatoes

Regular can of spiced chopped tomatoes

1 roughly chopped onion

A handful chopped cilantro

2 cloves of garlic

A jalapeno (Not pictured)

Put everything except the chopped tomatoes in. Juice 1/2 the lime until you taste it.

Do a pulse on the chopper a few times, then add the can

of chopped tomatoes and pulse again. Then taste and

add salt and pepper.

There it is! I put it in a container and in the fridge. It's best to do this

a day ahead for the ultimate in flavor!

Greek Yogurt Avocado Sauce

2 avocados

1 container plain greek yogurt

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cloves garlic

Juice of 1/2 a lime

Literally toss it all in the blender and WHIRRRR!

Done!

TORTILLAS

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons lard

1 1/2 cups water

Mix them all up and turn out to floured surface

and kneed just a few time.

This kneeding part is hard for me to stop. I LOVE the feel

of dough!

Make into balls. The only way I can describe the size is

it's smaller than a raquet ball and bigger than a

golf ball.

There are several ways to roll them out. I put them in between a folded

sheet of parchment paper. The won't stick. Then I pressed them

out flat. They naturally go into a circle.

Notice my first tortilla. I rolled it. Not so good.

It got plenty of sneers from the peanut gallery

Hmmm. Let's try this again...

The parchment paper worked best.

Here's my daughter giving it a go.

This is the most time consuming part.

When you do this with parchment paper you can slap them

on the skillet and peel the paper back.

I reused the papers until I was done.

Then the seasoned fish went under the broiler for

roughly 20 minutes.

Then I laid everything out for building the fish tacos - extra chopped cilantro and shredded lettuce.

Chop up the fish..

And there they are. Not exactly picture perfect,

but when you have kids that waited until

8 30pm to eat, you're lucky to not

draw back a nub.

Summer Depression

2011-08-09T12:58:00.001-07:00

And I'm not talking about a tropical depression with wind and rain. Hell, I'd welcome that.

Here in Texas we are having a horrible Summer. Weeks with temperatures in the 100's. We are under a burn ban. We've had wildfires destroying so much land some started by a simple cigarette butt. We are on water restrictions. Most of my plants have died and our air conditioner has broken twice.

This is a photojournalists photo...but it was

taken 5 minutes of my front yard in June.

My brain is melting.

For those of you who know me well, know that I am not a Summer person. I was born in the dead of Winter! I'm a WINTER BABY for crying out loud. I love the cold, the Holidays, the baking, the smells!

But, I usually just get through the Summer like everyone else. Not this Summer. This Summer has taken it's toll on me, hard. So hard in fact, that I'm starting to have dreams about winter. I had a dream about decorating our yard for Christmas. Nothing spectacular, but just doing it...in the cold weather. I've been baking too...yes BAKING in this heat! I'm crabby and pissy. The worst thing is being exhausted. I'm just flat worn out and never feel like doing ANYTHING!

Yesterday, I put in my dvd of New In Town just for the snow...well Harry Connick Jr's not too shabby either...and I vowed I was moving to Minnesota! Cooler weather cannot come fast enough for me. If I make it that long.