Can't Help But Smile (In Spite of Myself)

I love today. At the present time, I'm one of those people who annoy others by being so cheerful, but I can't help it - I'm just having a good day in general. As soon as I get out of the office, we're heading up north to meet the others for a weekend of camping, fishing and bug slapping.

For the first time ever, I am excited to go camping. I don't want you to get the impression that I'm a huge downer when it comes to camping, but let's face it folks; I'm a city gal through and through. I pay good money to sleep on a bed under a real roof, so the idea of trying to sleep in a bug-filled tent that is either too chilly or too steamy only to realize that you've positioned your sleeping bag on the wrong side of a slope ON A ROCK...well, lets just say I don't get a whole lot of rest... I don't whine incessantly or anything, but if you ask me to sit on a bench with a hole in to potty or (worse) squat near a tree... I may just give you a mental right-hook.

Oh, but I said I was looking forward to it, didn't I? And you know what? I really am! Not because I've suddenly connected with the burlap-wear'n, Cabela love'n, mother nature freak inside, but because I really know the boys are going to have a blast. (Yes folks, this is a mommy blog.) I won't go on and on about it, but knowing that the kids are at a great age to fish, explore, make smore's and more? That's enough to make me take my Zyrtec and shut up about it.

Wish me luck all and have a great holiday!

Calling all cooks!

Hey all; my neighbor had a baby recently and as is customary, I would like to bring by a dish to ease the pressure of dinnertime during these busy days ahead for her.

However, I'm stumped about what to bring this time around (this is her third child so I've already used up my good "freeze, heat and eat" dishes!) So, keeping in mind that I can't bring lasagna, bolognese pasta sauce or wild rice soup, ANY IDEAS?

Let me know!

Before. Only a few short years ago (back when wearing bright blue goggles was a necissity simply because he had bright blue goggles...) 

After. (He really is growing, isn't he?) 

Walking the Line

I've always clung to my Irish heritage - perhaps it's because I know more about it than I do my Scottish tradition. Whatever the case may be, there you have it.

Today though, I allowed my maternal influence to overcome me. You see, it's been my education that while most try their best to save a penny, a Scottish ascent will go far beyond using a coupon to save a buck. Today, it happened to me.

I bought myself a "foo foo" coffee this morning from Caribou; a tall vanilla late. There's just something about the smell and first sips of an expensive yet frothy cup of Jo on a cold day. I enjoyed as much of it as possible before my tummy begged for mercy (I skipped breakfast, and was therefore a little jittery and queasy from all the caffeine...)

Before leaving for lunch, I brought the remaining half of my morning's delight to the sink for disposal. When I saw that there was just over half of the cup left, I hesitated. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity...pondering my next move...

Scottish me: I could always just put it into that there mini fridge until tomorra and reheat...right?

Me: That would just be silly.

Scottish me: 'Sal right, I would get to enjoy it all over again tomorra...right?

Me: Nah - it'll taste nasty by then.

Scottish me: Aye, but it's worth a shot...right?

Me: Just throw it away already!

Scottish me: You're goin the right way for a smack bottom!

***********************************

I blinked hard enough times to come to.

I threw the coffee in the sink and went about my day.

THAT, my friends, was a close one.

The Mouse Wins the House

Andy and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary in April of 2007. I've always imagined that a 10 year anniversary would bring romantic island and/or Caribbean getaways.

HOWEVER...last Friday changed all that. You see, my more-often-than-not conservative husband went all spontaneous on me last Friday at Elliott’s school fundraiser. It was a dinner and silent auction held at a local country club; a portion of the night was dedicated to a live auction and well. I learned that the mixture of my husband, a few beers and a live auction are an expensive combination!

I had volunteered a large part of the night and was unaware of what items were being auctioned off. When I had a chance to sit down and chat with some friends, I saw that Andy was having a great time bidding on some of the smaller-ticket items in the silent auction. While mid-sentence with a friend, Andy pokes me on the shoulder and asks "Is that round trip?"

In hindsight, I should take this as an opportunity to learn that being a "know-it-all" is costly. Instead of admitting I had no idea what he was talking about, I allowed my sarcasm to take over and say "well they wouldn't just send you one way!"

Next thing I know he’s bidding on a condo in ORLANDO! (Yes folks, the very same Orlando from which we've just returned!)

“SOLD!’ (TO THAT HANDSOME FELLA WITH THE BEER IN HIS HAND...AND PALE WIFE AT HIS SIDE...)

He admits that he thought airfare was included, and has only gently kicked himself once or twice. While I may have not have been expecting a trip BACK to Orlando for spring break and even though I've spent a large part of this post being dramatic about it, I must say that I am now in a place where I'm looking forward to it. When we went last February, our entire vacation was dedicated to Disney, so this time around, I’m looking forward to going and being able to spend some time at the ocean, the Kennedy Space Station (the boys would really love that) and Discovery Cove (the swimming w/ dolphins thing).

We're now in the very preliminary planning stages. Without applying too much pressure, we've asked some family to join us as well. Naturally, the little girl in me has been having a heyday with images of the bliss that may ensue, but the realist in me is simply crossing her fingers and knows that things will work out no matter what.