Saturday, April 30, 2011

What an awesome day....

today. There are days that I wake up in the morning and go ...WOW how lucky am I to live in such an awesome place.  Today was one of those days. The weather here in the Bay Area is incredible...sunny,warm, nice sea breeze but not to hot.  The familgia decided to head in to SF and enjoy North Beach which is the Little Italy of SF{San Francisco} hubby and I met up with a very close friend and had lunch "al fresco" at one of the outside restaurants on the Columbus strip. It was a great time sipping vino and just chilling,relaxing and partaking in some adult conversation.  It was much needed after being with LDG 24/7.  My little darling was there and she enjoyed every minute of the stroller ride. We hung out at Washington Square Park for a few minutes and had her run crazy - even though the playground resembled a huge sandy kitty litter box - I kept her away from there - that is just plain ass nasty - sorry folks that is just plain gross!

We crossed over the GGBridge an amazing visual we cross on a daily basis and take advantage of - hello millions of tourists  venture to this part of the city  to visit this wonder and to us locals it is just a bridge. When I crossed it today I really took the time to admire the beauty of the bay. 

We are now at home, LDG hanging out in only her diaper {which is this micro climate does not happen much} on our super size deck,  BBQing some steaks to have for dinner. After this we have a late afternoon party hanging out with one of our neighbors in the cul de sac we have grown to love so much!

When I look at my happy daughters face I know that we are doing a good job raising the little munchkin and I know that I am one blessed SOB.

Ciao Mama's
Smooches

Friday, April 29, 2011

Pasta a Fagioli

Today I just felt like a good hardy soup and since my little one is on hour 3 of afternoon nap - I decided I was going to whip this up....I serve in big bowls with a side of homemade wheat bread.....and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Nope,  this is not a weight watchers item but it is full of veggies the only thing that is "bad" is the pasta added into the soup but I do not put too much. Enjoy

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 slices pancetta - I buy this at speciality store I do not think larger chain grocery stores carry it is basically Italian bacon for mucho flavor
2 (4 to 6-inch) sprigs rosemary, left intact
1 (4 to 6-inch) sprig thyme with several sprigs on it, left intact
1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
Coarse salt and pepper - Kosher salt is the only way to go
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
1 cup canned tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 quart chicken stock
1 1/2 cups ditalini I use less since this pasta expands quite a bit I would do one cup I know from past mistakes


Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil.
Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally I left the veggies/tomato soup part simmer on low for an hour. You know the longer you let soup simmer the more flavor you get out of it. I then add ditalini pasta cook al dente 6-8 minutes.  Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup.  Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes.







Thursday, April 28, 2011

Peek a boo....

I was running a day care today. LDG and my awesome and adorable nephew L-Dog had a play date, add in the two dogs and it was mayhem in the house...... a good mayhem. It was so cute to see them both play together they are a year apart so it is the perfect age.  I had them outside for most of the day today because it was so nice {some natural Vit D}. I had all the essentials - an awesome Tyco Bubble machine - which is the best thing ever - these damn machines are like kryponite to toddlers. You now have the power...the power of the BUBBLES. It amazes me that something as simple as bubbles can keep a child so busy for so long. Thank you bubble fairies. 

I also had this cool tunnel thing were they could go through and through as many times as they wanted - come on little ones your getting sleepy. A fun activity today was the sidewalk chalk which they attempted to write on the dogs and the neighbors porch with, complete with a thrashing of the play room,  some graham crackers and milk and we were good to go! Fun times had by all. Thank God Grandpa was here to help.

My little ball of energy nephew just left and LDG is still bouncing off the walls from the pure adrenaline that is still pumping through her veins. I on the other hand am exhausted, done, pooped and did I say done??? I look like I was run over by a truck.

I always wondered if I was doing the wrong thing by only having one little one. LDG would be an only child, I had LDG at 40 blah blah blah....Today..... I am sooooo glad I decided to just have one. For me
personally two is just two too many. I like that I am just responsible to form the mind one little person. I could not take the responsibility of two.  I am glad LDG has her two cousins near by, my dad would like for us to be closer {we are a 45 minute care ride away}sometimes wish I was closer to the family but I really, really love were I live. Is that so wrong?

Today was a great day. I am now getting ready to whip up some dinner {Jumbo Scallops with toasted corn and tiny tomatoes salad)....yummy

Have a great night folks!!!!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Guess what.....

I have nothing to say today...Wow that is a first......I can't explain it.....I am wiped out today.....

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Have baby will travel???

I was flipping through some of my old scrapbooks and I am amazed and truly fortunate to have traveled to some pretty amazing places.They say making a list of your travels makes you truly appreciate were you have been -  Here is my list

Paris 3 times I love Italy but Paris holds a very special place in my heart
All over Italy
England
Holland
Costa Rica - WOW
Brazil and in the Amazon Jungle - Will do Brazil again  - Amazon Jungle - not so much but I hiked through the Rain Forest and it kicked ass
Mexico - Cancun, Cabo, TJ (yeah that counts) Cozumel, Mazatlan
Grand Cayman Island
All over US from Seattle, NY(loved), New Orleans(loved more), Chi-Town, Florida, Texas.
Hawaii how I miss thee all your islands rock

As I look over the list I am wondering how we are going to get to the other half of the world that we really want to see towing a baby/child. Some destinations we want to go to have flight times of 16 hours. It is hard enough to keep a child's attention for an hour let alone 16 plus. Can you imagine being stuck on a plane for a day and half with a baby. Nope...I don't.

We have taken a few trips here and there. The longest so far has been the trip we took to Maui. We did a direct flight and it worked out well.  I am going to say this - it costs a little extra but if you can wrangle an upgrade to business/first class do it. You will keep your sanity. There is more room for the little ones to move around and less people to annoy....The next trip is Cabo,  so it is an even shorter trip so we should be good. I also want to take LDG to see Grandma in Florida.....It was hard enough packing for myself now you need to add LDG's wardrobe and she is one stylin' baby. Besides the extra clothes, you have stroller, all the baby crap (diapers,wipes ect..) food/snacks, toys to keep them busy, if your breast feeding your good to go if not you have to deal with formula and trying to get that stuff through security..is...Oh so much fun! I want LDG to have the best and I want her to be exposed to other cultures and places, but traveling with a child is a bitch....

Some parents have used Benadryl to get through some long flights but I have heard that it could work either way - some kids go right to sleep on others -  it works like liquid speed and they are jumping off the walls. I have not tried the B route I have planned the trips around her usual nap times and so far this has seemed to work.

So we hope that our future will hold some really awesome trips - next stop is Turks and Caicos.....
Ahhhhh


Monday, April 25, 2011

Hoppity Hop.....

Hope everyone had a super great Easter. In the ol' tradition of our family we had too much of a good time. Had a super great lunch at one of our favorite restaurants the staff there rocks and they feel like part of the family. We then stopped at a new wine bar/slash. Awesome views, great service and we had a chance to play bocce balls.

The weather sucked donkey balls today so me and LDG did a 1/2 pajama day and tonight will most definitely be salad night. I was a little naughty on Easter and had some vino so I am not looking forward to Wed WW weigh in. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will lose, and the scale will not reflect the good time I had on Sunday....lol I am just going to bust my ass in the gym in the next 2 days.

I have an extremely busy week, I have friends who will be coming by to hang out {lunch/play dates} and I am really looking forward to seeing them. It has been awhile, but we have all gotten so busy that it is hard to pin us all down...

LDG starts swim lessons in two weeks, she seems to really love the water the sooner I get her into water safety the better I will feel. 

Short but sweet today....Hope everyone has a great Monday......

PS -
The RHOOC suckes this season. Time for OC to retire their old leathery botox skin. New York rules the roost period. Mob Wives delivered the drama again this week. These ladies are over the top and I love.....

Checked out Audrina and let me tell you I wanted to shoot myself in the head. This girl might be pretty but damn is she boring.....

Friday, April 22, 2011

I need to know what you would have

done?  Today was your typical am at Casa Crazy. Get up do what I needed to do in order to get out the door  in a timely manner to head out the door (gym)- this might sound frivolous to some people, but the gym is keeping me sane right now and with the anxiety levels I am working with a morning work out relaxes me and gets me through the day.

Anyway...in order to work out in the am you need to make a reservation the night before which I did so I am good to go. I arrive at my appt time and go through my normal  OCD arrival preparedness.  Say hello to the staff {who are the best}, drop off my diaper/snack bag and get my little one ready to go in the trenches to play away. As I remove my daughters jacket I can not help but notice one of the babies that is being held by one of the care takers.  I look and then do a double take.

Wow....this child's face is covered -  I mean COVERED in chicken pox scabs - I am not exaggerating here, covered from head to toe. I have seen CP before but not like this...  Maybe becasue the baby was tiny(compared to me 31 1/2 inch inch amazon baby) so the chicken pox marks appeared  to be even bigger on her tiny little body. Poor little one is screaming for her mommy and she was looking a little green to me.

I ask the staff  - WTH  is this baby doing in GYM day care (anyone can skip gym when your child does not feel good -  it's  OKKKKKK,  you can miss a day of Yoga {yep totally being sarcastic} the child looks like hell and is covered in CP marks - I know that I was not going to be the only other mother who was going to feel this way as soon as they saw the child. Anyone who tells me different is lying!
I just happen to be the early bird and happened to be one of the first mommies there.

Note- I am not one of those mothers that need to purrell the hell out of their kids every time they touch something - kids should not be asked to live in a bubble -  kids are going to get dirty. Hell my dogs tongues are always on LDG.

They are like "Well the mother said that she is no longer contagious and that she is OK". I can see from the doubtful looks on their faces they were not quite sure either.

I am like...... NO not OK! I don't known her and I don't know her doctor and I have not clue if this kid is contagious or not.... I have seen mothers straight up lie that there kid is not sick - some of these ladies are so obsessed with the work out -note I said SOME not ALL!

At this point I am retrieving LDG and I am about to pull out. I was not taking the chance, nothing against this other child but LDG is just 14 months and her immune system is not ready to handle the CP plus I do not want her to go through that type of headache at this age. It clearly states that children who are sick should not be brought into the day care. CP - if still contagious will spread like wild flowers.
Day care is a petrie dish of friggn germs!!!

One of the staff members was worried and went upstairs to retrieve the mother - I am sure they were worried not only by my initial reaction but of the reactions of the other mothers who were due in.
During this time I decided to take LDG oughtta there and we took a walk to get some coffee. I figured by the time I got back the understanding mother would have taken their poor sick child home.

Nope ...did not happen that way....I got back and there she was, sitting on a rocking chair, breast feeding her kid. Like nothing was up .....Akward....Yep....siree!

I decided at that point to leave. Once again I was not going to expose my child to that. Contagious or not..Call me a bitch but my child comes first -end of story..And I feel that  the mother was a tad bit selfish to bring in her child who could potentially still be very sick and she might have exposed other children to the CP.

Maybe I am making a big deal about this....Was I too paranoid? What would you have done?

Ahhhh the joy of being a new mother!

I must have all the clothing

listed on this page - this look is hot, hot, hot....Great for summers in the Bat Area since we live in a bi polar climate we do not know what we get on a daily basis and this works. Now that I am losing weight I am not scared to try something new...Time to break out of the yoga pant hum drum.......

I have the shoes so we are good to go there!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Spring Veggies....

Yummy dinner tonight.
WW points plus 7 Serving 3 slices pork and 1 1/4 cup veggies

1 pd. pork tenderloin trimmed
1 tbs chopped fresh chives
3/4 salt - I use Kosher salt for all my cooking
1 9 oz package frozen artichokes hearts thawed - I used from the glass jar
1 pound baby potatoes cut in 1/2
1/2 pound asparagus trimmed
1 cup baby carrots
2 tsp. olive oil
1/4 pepper

Pre heat oven to 475. Spray shallow roasting pan with on stick spray
Sprinkle pork with chives and 1/4 salt. Spray large non stick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium high heat. Add pork and cook until browned on all sides about 5 minutes

Transfer pork to roasting pan. Combine artichokes, potatoes, asparagus, carrots, oil, remaining 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper in large bowl, toss to coat. Arrange veggies mixture around pork
Roast, stirring veggies once, until veggies are tender and instant read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 160F, about 25 minutes. Let pork rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing....

Enjoy



GET off the dogs....

they are not your personal ponies!  Today has been an especially hectic day here at Casa Crazy...One dog is still has a queasy stomach because LDG just loves to toss her food down to the little one. Dog number 2 is grouchy because she is tired of having a 14 month baby riding her hind legs and a couple of growls have been tossed in the babies direction...Yeah a Golden Retriever can only take so much abuse!

Between the laundry, the cleaning up, retrieving toys from every nook and cranny of the house and making sure everything is running smoothly. In the mean time I am trying to not and trip over dogs/baby make it a hectic and rewarding day....... Sure!

I can't believe that this weekend is Easter and that in a couple of weeks I will be celebrating my 2nd Mother's Day. WOW...Were does the time go? As mother's day approaches I have mixed feelings of the day. I love that I am able to celebrate with my little one and husband,  but it's  during this time that I miss my mom the most.

 My mom and I did not have the best relationship. I said black she said white. I was  criticized on a daily basis ...... Why do you wear so much make up, why don't you wear a skirt once in awhile, wine will make you fat!  There are some things that she said to me,  that to this day have affected my self esteem .

I would say that in the past 10 years we were truly getting along. Then came the day that we were told that they found a tumor in her lungs and she was taken away from us in a snap. My whole world was turned upside down...This was not supposed to happen to a woman who did not drink or smoke.

 I miss her and her daily phone calls. I know for sure this is the reason I got pregnant with LDG 4 months to the day of her passing. My mother always told me that having a child was a very special moment in a woman's life and I finally know what she was talking about all those years she was pushing for me to have a baby!  My life has changed for the better and I will always thank her for that.

Love you mom

Cheers and Smooches



My miracle watching Scooby Doo


Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Yawnnnnnn....

I am super ass sleepy this am. I am wondering if it has to do with this lovely overcast,  looks like it is going to rain but does not rain weather which I have grown to dislike immensely! Or could it be that I have been getting up at 4:00 am for the last week.  Yeah that sounds about right!

I decided to weigh myself at home this morning instead of rushing out to hit the gym and then the WW meeting. LDG was sleeping so peacefully this am I did not want to wake her. I want one morning were I do not hit the floor running and everything is a rush out the door to another activity. I also think I overdid it at the gym yesterday and my back/neck is feeling a  little abused - *I have to be very careful with the back area mine went out almost 4 years ago (damn you beautiful high heels) and it was the worse pain/situation I have ever encountered. I never ever want to feel that helpless again, ever!

I lost another another 1.8 pounds for a total of 11.8 pounds and I reached my 5 percent goal
YAHOOOWEY! I have now set my 10 percent goal and hope to hit that in a month and half. So far the program has been pretty easy,  if you fill up with fruits and veggies you are good to go! This Sunday is Easter so it might be a little hard to stay in program, however being that it is a Sunday there will be no wine drinking cuz hangovers on Monday sucks especially when you have to take care of the baby all by yourself. I will be baking away on Saturday for I decided to make Easter sugar cookies for the baskets! I will post some pics on Saturday.

I love these mornings were I am still hanging out in my PJ's, LDG still sleeping and the dogs are both on their blankets snoring away......Ahhh peaceful silence something that I have been missing for the last year and half and does not happen often....Just some time to sit back and reflect on what a truly wonderful life I have.

OK this is too funny!
Have a good day everybody! Smooches

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

What is happening to our young "innocent"girls?

Please scroll through my post to see the fabulous article featured on CNN this morning about the sexification of our very young girls.


I am scared because I have a girl and I am not looking forward to the "tween" years. I want my daughter to be fashionably dressed but she will NOT go out looking like a skank I do not care what Juicy and friggin Acrombie and dumb ass says - By the way Juicy Couture is not what I consider a real "design house" they should not even be allowed to use the term Couture.  In Paris your not allowed to use that term unless your are licensed/permission to do so by the country. Slapping a very tacky logo on the butt of some cheesy ass sweat fabric, does not make you a designer PERIOD they just got lucky that at the time Paris Hilton decided to make the tacky track suit her uniform and I would not call Paris Hilton a role model.....Money does not equal good taste. I believe their is a difference between stylish fashion and a little girl dressed to look like little sultry Lolita {remember we have a bunch of pervs out in the world}.
But with the likes of these special "role" models (Britney, Miley and Lindsey) what do you expect from our girls. We as parents need to put our foot down!  We cannot blame the businesses that market to this age group, they are here to make money not raise our children.



Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- I saw someone at the airport the other day who really caught my eye.
Her beautiful, long blond hair was braided back a la Bo Derek in the movie "10" (or for the younger set, Christina Aguilera during her "Xtina" phase). Her lips were pink and shiny from the gloss, and her earrings dangled playfully from her lobes.
You can tell she had been vacationing somewhere warm, because you could see her deep tan around her midriff thanks to the halter top and the tight sweatpants that rested just a little low on her waist. The icing on the cake? The word "Juicy" was written on her backside.
Yeah, that 8-year-old girl was something to see alright. ... I hope her parents are proud. Their daughter was the sexiest girl in the terminal, and she's not even in middle school yet.
Abercrombie & Fitch came under fire this spring for introducing the "Ashley," a push-up bra for girls who normally are too young to have anything to push up. Originally it was marketed for girls as young as 7, but after public outcry, it raised its intended audience to the wise old age of 12. I wonder how do people initiate a conversation in the office about the undeveloped chest of elementary school girls without someone nearby thinking they're pedophiles?
What kind of PowerPoint presentation was shown to the Abercrombie executives that persuaded them to green light such a product?
That there was a demand to make little girls hot?
I mean, that is the purpose of a push-up bra, right? To enhance sex appeal by lifting up, pushing together and basically showcasing the wearer's breasts. Now, thanks to AF Kids, girls don't have to wait until high school to feel self-conscious about their, uhm, girls. They can start almost as soon as they're potty trained. Maybe this fall the retailer should consider keeping a plastic surgeon on site for free consultations.
We've been here with Abercrombie before -- if you recall, about 10 years ago they sold thongs for 10-year-olds -- but they're hardly alone in pitching inappropriate clothing to young girls. Four years ago the popular "Bratz" franchise introduced padded bras called "bralettes" for girls as young as six. That was also around the time the good folks at Wal-Mart rolled out a pair of pink panties in its junior department with the phrase "Who Needs Credit Cards" printed on the front.
I guess I've been out-of-the-loop and didn't realize there's been an ongoing stampede of 10-year-old girls driving to the mall with their tiny fists full of cash demanding sexier apparel.
What's that you say? Ten-year-olds can't drive? They don't have money, either? Well, how else are they getting ahold of these push-up bras and whore-friendly panties?
Their parents?
Noooo, couldn't be.
What adult who wants a daughter to grow up with high self-esteem would even consider purchasing such items? What parent is looking at their sweet, little girl thinking, "She would be perfect if she just had a little bit more up top."
And then I remember the little girl at the airport. And the girls we've all seen at the mall. And the kiddie beauty pageants.
And then I realize as creepy as it is to think a store like Abercrombie is offering something like the "Ashley", the fact remains that sex only sells because people are buying it. No successful retailer would consider introducing an item like a padded bikini top for kindergarteners if they didn't think people would buy it.
If they didn't think parents would buy it, which begs the question: What in the hell is wrong with us?
It's easy to blast companies for introducing the sexy wear, but our ire really should be directed at the parents who think low rise jeans for a second grader is cute. They are the ones who are spending the money to fuel this budding trend. They are the ones who are suppose to decide what's appropriate for their young children to wear, not executives looking to brew up controversy or turn a profit.
I get it, Rihanna's really popular. But that's a pretty weak reason for someone to dress their little girl like her.
I don't care how popular Lil' Wayne is, my son knows I would break both of his legs long before I would allow him to walk out of the house with his pants falling off his butt. Such a stance doesn't always makes me popular -- and the house does get tense from time to time -- but I'm his father, not his friend.
Friends bow to peer pressure. Parents say, "No, and that's the end of it."
The way I see it, my son can go to therapy later if my strict rules have scarred him. But I have peace knowing he'll be able to afford therapy as an adult because I didn't allow him to wear or do whatever he wanted as a kid.
Maybe I'm a Tiger Dad.
Maybe I should mind my own business.
Or maybe I'm just a concerned parent worried about little girls like the one I saw at the airport.
In 2007, the American Psychological Association's Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls issued a report linking early sexualization with three of the most common mental-health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. There's nothing inherently wrong with parents wanting to appease their daughters by buying them the latest fashions. But is getting cool points today worth the harm dressing little girls like prostitutes could cause tomorrow?
A line needs to be drawn, but not by Abercrombie. Not by Britney Spears. And not by these little girls who don't know better and desperately need their parents to be parents and not 40-year-old BFFs.

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Sound of Music????

Today was little drama "G" first day at mommy/me music thing.  I decided to join this group because it looks like my little one is really into music and dance...so why not.  The class is good!  Music, dancing with scarves if you added a bar we would be in a kiddie night club. Except there is allot less drooling! The instructor is really nice.

Okkkk I am trying here.....Let me tell you gang I almost lost it....I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing this for my munchkin and whatever weird thing I have to do I am going to give my 110 percent of me!

This morning I danced with LDG, jitterbugged to some weird guitar chant and had a ball of fun. The one thing that tends to really bug me about these mommy and me events is some of the mommies. Now do not get me wrong I love where I live but their are days I just don't. This morning was one of those days. I want to know why it is so hard for some of these mommies in this area to be half way nice to the new moms. 
You can tell that just from the "looks" and vibes of some of these chicks that they want nothing to do with you. Out of the 5-6 moms there, 2 were super friendly the rest barely acknowledged your presence.

YES...baby my child is wearing skinny jeans and she knows how to rock them..Blahhhh

This is one of the reasons I have not joined a regular mommy and me group. Were are all the down to earth "real", sense of humor gals gone.  Please let me know!  I am always so willing to help out a new mom I do not understand why others are not. I know that my personality is hard to take. I am Italian which = Loud, over the top,  friendly...with one sick sense of humor..Come on what is not to like...lol ..I thought it was me for the longest time but I have found that I am not the only new mommy that feels this way in this area.

It is not just at play groups it seems to be all over, the grocery store, at the gym, at your local Trader Joe's  it is really hard to try and infiltrate the "groups" here. I fear that this is just going to get worse once my little one hits preschool. With some these gals it is all about your real estate value/location, what your husband does for a living and how long you have been on a waiting list for a preschool. Are we back in  friggin high school? I thought I left that BS behind a long time ago.

Mmmmm...... maybe it is time to start a new play group......Some that allows limited cussing, wine and a sense of humor!  Food for thought


True Happiness
 Note - We just had an earthquake 3.8 on the anniversary of the big one of 1906 how weird is that!

Were is Elmo......







this tickling Elmo has popped up all over the house and it is beginning to freak me out. I think it might be my husband trying to make me crazier than I already am.......ahhahahah

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Damn parking.....

stupid meter maid! I am no stranger to a parking ticket for Pete's sake I lived in SF most of my life. But I had not gotten one in Marin County.....yet. I was shopping away for Little Drama "G" diapers, this BS that BS ....OK 2 really great pairs of shoes and a few dresses .....who is counting...????  I knew I had 20 minutes so I made it quick, placed enough money in the meter to cover the time and raced into the store. It took my 15 minutes, left the store, got to my car and  I had a ticket on my car...shit.....I am like WTF just happened.... I know I put money in the meter maybe I was in the store longer than I thought?  I take the ticket off the windshield and it is for $78.00....$78.00 MF dollars...Are you F***** kidding me? For what I thought was an expired meter...As I finish looking over the ticket I notice on the bottom of the slip it reads:

No current tabs

At that tim,e it does not register and I have no idea what the hell I did. I head home. That evening I brought up the ticket to my hubby. He has the same confused, dazed look on his face that I had when I got the ticket -

this is what happens when you have a toddler around the house you go insane and nothing make sense anymore. You also have the memory size of a pea. Things you used to remember at the top of our head no longer register. They used to call me rain man at work because I could remember/shoot out product numbers from catalogs that were 8 plus yrs old, now I am lucky to remember my child and keys before I leave the house.

Suddenly a bright light of recognition flashes on my husbands face, he leaves the house and goes out to the car...he comes back laughing and shaking his head.

He goes "Your registration stickers are missing?" I am like "what do you mean their missing, did someone take them again?' - yes I have had my registrations stickers stolen from my vehicle, something I did not notice until the NICE police officer pulled me over to let me know they were expired and I had no clue...

My hubby says no "you forgot to place them on your tags"...It seems that I got my registration slip months ago but with all the craziness that is now my life I shoved them in the glove box and forgot about them... How did someone who is OCD anal and always got to do it right away attitude forget her stickers in the glove box?
$78.00 really now? Come on

This will go down as the "stupidest" thing  have ever done!!!!! Can I have my brain back now? Please...pretty please with sugar on it?

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I really do have a problem

with buying way too many shoes for my little one. Their is this great kids store by my hairdressers in MV that has the best girls shoes.  I know, I know why buy so many shoes for a little girl, their feet grow so quick but I love to spoil my little one to a point and I do like to make sure she is always put together..
Check out these cuties I got today....


Woo Hoooo....

I am getting my hair done today.  Cannot wait I am super excited a few of my greys are making their presence known and it has taken all my strength not to pluck them out of my scalp. I am sitting here at 7:02 in the am totally exhausted. My lovely pooch has been having stomach issues so Coco decided to get up at 3:00 o'clock this am....to shoot her poop....So when she gets up the whole household is up. Baby started to cry at the same time, Gucci was trolling for a new place to sleep, my husband cranky as hell headed outside with furry monkey number 2 and I headed to the couch. Once I am up I am up and only TV will put me back to sleep! So I slept for another hour or so then back up at 5:00. So I am a little pooped.

Little Drama "G" will be joining me at the salon today...hope all goes well....She has been there in the past  but now that she is mobile and digging her independence with the walking "thing" I want too make sure that she does not bother the other stylist. 

I am thinking of going a shade lighter on hair color for the summer. Not quite sure yet I guess I will decide when I am there.

Smooches, M

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Oh my goodness........

I just had the urge for some baking today. I am a little wired with energy and have some anxiety issues so this helps calm me down quite a bit.....I also love doing it's fun and relaxing for me. Since I am on this lovely WW Points Plus I am limited to sweets unless I want to hoard points and I already do that when I know I am going out for a few glasses of vino. So I baked the chocolate chip cookies for my husbands office.
This is your standard chocolate chip cookie recipe except that I added a mixture of walnuts & pecans it gives it a nice mild nutty flavor.








I also baked a batch of brownies....These are from one of the WW's cook book I have,  pretty basic but I am wondering if this will taste as good as my regular gooey chocolate brownies....We will taste test them tonight..

Chocolate Walnut Brownies - 3 PPV for one brownie
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 large eggs beaten lightly
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat Oven 350 spray 8 inch square baking pan with non stick spray
Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt in large bowl. Whisk together eggs, sugar and vanilla in medium bowl
Combine butter and chocolate in top of double boiler set over simmering water and stir until melted, about 3 minutes. Let cool about 1 minute stir into egg mixture. stir chocolate mixture into flour mixture until just combines. Pour batter into prepared baking pan and level top. Sprinkle with walnuts
Bake brownies until toothpick inserted into center comes out with few moist crumbs clinging to it, about 20 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for about 15 minutes. Remove brownies from pan and cut into 20 squares.


I only use the above their chocolate is the best for baking


Time for some milk...Enjoy

I am a purse junkie...

a really, really bad junkie...I love all colors, shapes and sizes but I am really into huge Chanel and Gucci and now my new fav Celine bags.  Yeah  have expensive taste but I also worked hard {when I was working} and saved up for the ones I have. Ok.... the last couple of bags I got were gifts from my AWESOME husband but I attempted to squeeze out a small human being from my body and I think I deserved it - even though I had to have an emergency c section at the last moment I was prepared to go go for the gold!

Below is what I am drooling over and must get at least one...soon





Love love this bag almost bought it except it is a real pain carrying a baby and trying to hold this bag in the crook of your arm

Just got the Orange Celine bag just a little less structured in an amazing burnt orange color


Ewwww.....We

have had a couple of rough days here at Casa Crazy with my little snuggle Coco (my rescue golden retriever) hairy baby monkey 2. Let's say her stomach has had a little trouble that could double for a few scenes from the Exorcist!

Having a soon to be toddler cruising the house you tend to collect a bunch of crap you do not really need. This child has so many toys and stuffed "thingies and just...... stuff that it is hard to keep track when one of the toys goes "missing". 

Problem...One of the stuffed lions had disappeared but I thought I could have chucked it {I have a slight OCD problem with clutter I am a chucker if we don't use it it gets chucked},or could my Little Drama G had thrown it off the deck when she was hanging outside.... NOPE that was not the case - the lion king had been eaten by my Coco a sight I got to see when it came out her other end.

Ewwww I know right? What the hell....I have cleaned up some messes in my life time but this one was a doozy....I felt really bad for my lovely Marta who comes every couple of weeks to help me out with the house she was present for the explosion and I was soooo embarrassed.  But what are we to do.... plug her up....... impossible. Coco is doing a little better this am but I will need to watch her like a hawk....So quick trip to weight watchers/gym then I am home. Hey I have some Easter baskets to get together for my niece and nephew...I also need to re organize the pantry,......

Ahh the glamorous life of a stay at home diva.....

Happy Hump Day

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

It is time for a change

to "Little Drama G's" room....I am bored with the little jungle theme we did before she was born...It is time to shake things up. I am not sure at what age she will be going from a crib to her big girl bed. No need to wait on the planning thouogh it all takes time. Right now I am headed towards a Paris theme. Yep all things fashion. I am now scrounging flea markets and Ross(You find the best stuff for the home at Ross go figure) stores for Eiffel Towers knick knacks and anything to do with fashion. This is what I am digging so far. Since I cannot paint her room black - yet (j/k) I will be going down this route.  Not to frilly and girly just enough but not to much. However the Fairy theme is still in the running I am on the fence right now. This is what I have so far.




What is not to love about Paris



Love the dark wood will go with the rest of the houses decor and I love sleigh beds!



Come on you gotta love these lamps

I will also be re painting the room and giving it more of a subtle paint color-  right now we have a shocking sun happy yellow that goes well with dark wood and moss. The room was painted this happy shocking color just before I found out I was preganant - Little Drama "G"'s room was my closet before she decided to join our world.



Check out the friggin awesome sheets and duvet cover


Yeah Yeah I know but it is sooo cute

What room would not be complete without a groovy bean bag


Thoughts??????

Smooches





Sunday, April 10, 2011

What has happened...

to manners? Does anyone out there have any left? 

OK..... let's not group everyone in the same ball of rudeness - I am speaking in particular to the age group of 18-25 males, what the f*** has happened to you guys? Seriously now....what I saw the other day almost made me sick and I just wanted to reach out a slug your stupid face.

I was at the local town center with my daughter, nice spring day so we decided to take a walk.  This particular outside "mall"  has some really cute playgrounds for the little ones to jump around in.  I am sitting on a bench people watching{"Little Drama G" is playing away}. I notice an elderly woman - 
I would say in her 80"s, yes I said 80"s, trying to open the very heavy door of a local clothing establishment - As someone who was taught manners, I get up from my seat to go and help the nice lady out - before I am off my bench,  I notice a young gentleman {if you want to call him that, I used asshole after what I witnessed} that looked like he was going to help her out - WRONG!

The douche bag {on his cell phone - of course} - made his way through the double doors almost knocking over the lady and did not bother to even stop to see if she was OK and continued on with his conversation on his stupid cell phone. At this point I was livid and had a few choice words - however I took a deep breath and kept them to myself,  since we had a whole mini park of young kids and their mommies hanging about.
The asshole just continued on his way like nothing happened. I swear to GOD it took all my might not to reach over and slap that stupid Justin Bieber haircut off his little head.

What is going on ?????   This seems to be an epidemic..... this is not the first situation were I have witnessed such rude behavior from men {young ladies you are no better} it's like the manners have gone out the door. Now I am not saying that I am miss manners but I have always been taught to respect my elders. I witnessed these bad ways when I was pregnant...wobbling my way up a flight of stairs to make it to the Dr.'s office or an elevator and not one male would hold your door open {18-25 bracket} it is just plain rude!

I guess that I am just spoiled for I am married to a man who's mama taught him well. We have been together 12 years and to this day he still opens my car door and refuses to let me carry the bags when we are out shopping. His mom did an awesome job. Now I am not saying that  all this rests of the mommies shoulder - we have enough to do. The daddies are also responsible in teaching their children some manners.

My daughter is only 14 months and once she starts to understand more of what is going on I will definitely be drilling manners into her brain. If she chooses not to accept this mission she will then suffer the consequences.

We live in a 24/7 society were everything has become so impersonal - cell phones, Ipads, texting etc...let's try and make manners part of our daily life.  A smile and a thank you go along way.

Happy Sunday!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

My child is....

Driving me CRAZY. "Little Drama G" has completely wiped me out the last few days. I was so drained that when my husband came home last night I had nothing to say, and for me that is not the norm. I am one chatty kathy. He was amazed at how quite I was. I was quite because my brain was fried,  FRIED! I knew mommyhood was hard but I had no clue how difficult and stressful it could truly be.
I am no stranger to stress I was in the fashion industry for many years and we lived on a diet of caffeine, cigs and stress. But being a mommy is a whole different level of insanity. How can something that stands a mere 31 1/2 inches tall and is as cute as a button change you from a capable put together human being to a drooling idiot?

Could it be that she has full on started walking/running and she is into everything, she bangs pot and pans all day and she has now started to ride the dogs like her own personal ponies. Now.... I love my daughter to death........ she is truly one of the best things that has happened to my life!
BUT
on some days all I wanna due is chuck her off the deck. Does that make me a bad mommy? I am sure I am not the only mother who feels or has felt this way!
*Note - this is not actually going to happen it is just a feeling - everyone chill out...lol

I know that "Little Drama G" is going through an independent phase and hope to God this does not go on for very much longer, but like another mommy said to me today

"This is nothing wait until she hits the terrible 2's. - Auugghhhhh

Who me..?

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Back in the saddle

again....Just got back from the gym,  I have been bad I have not been to the gym for the last week - I have done yoga at home, but I have been off my schedule for cardio...the big culprit..... my whole family was sick. I also really did not want to bring my "Little Drama G" to the gym baby care if I knew she was still sick.  I am pretty sure that is were the "virus from hell" came from.

So..... this brings up my total BITCH of the day...Mommies and some daddies if your child has green mucus rolling down their nose and has a cough that sounds like a 2 pack a day smoker, please keep them home. I have seen this time and time again at the gym day care.  I do not understand the need to bring your child out sick to work out for an hour -  don't worry that one rice cake you ate will not end up on your ass if you skip a day. We already live in a petri dish of germs with the little rug rats running around the house. Let's not add to the experimental platter of germs.

On the topic of babies and mommies I watched this new show last night{preview}. Pregnant in Heels on my "crack" channel Bravo. WOW...... These are some serious weird couples out there. It is funny that you need to fill out all this paperwork and go through a pretty massive interview to adopt a dog/cat from shelter but anyone can get prego and have a child. It shows how having to much MONEY can make you so bored that you have to come up with RIDICULOUS ways to keep your Upper East Side butts busy.....

One more thing.....I almost forgot I wanted to give a shout out to all the super ass RUDE people at the grocery store this morning. You made my day...Just the thought that their are such angry, vile mutants in the world gives me the warm and cuddlies all over.

Smooches

Monday, April 4, 2011

Whaaattttt happened...

with me..I used to be able to go out polish a few hundred drinks and show up the next day for work ready to rock n roll, and take names.  I go out this past Saturday night for a nice civilized dinner with friends - kick ass food, great company and a few bottles of wine - OK about 7 or so but who is counting?!?

The next day I get up, cook some breakfast,  get the house organized, and I am like.... "Mmm I don't feel so bad".
WRONG..... I get hit by the hangover from hell at around 2:00 in the afternoon. All I wanted to due is roll my 5"9 ass into the corner, stick my thumb in my mouth and watch re runs of any season of the Real Housewives while devouring a large mushroom pizza. Drool......I know I cannot do this because....
  1. I now have a baby
  2. Weight Watchers weigh in this Wed
I drank so much wine on Saturday that I need to be on my best behavior for the rest of the week....."Stupid...stupid.....


Worth every WW point for the day this Porterhouse was AMAZING
My beautiful "Little Drama G" mommy is sorry :0(


Did I feel shitty on Sunday because of all the vino that I drank or did I feel shitty because my hangover prevented me from spending quality time with my "Little Dram G".....I don't really now but what I do know is that term moderation will now be part of my life....

Cheers 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

When did I become a

Stepford Wife? I now have started planting flowers for spring and you know what.... I kinda of relaxed for the first time all week....It would be better with a bottle of wine and a cigarette though!

This weekend is all about relaxing and hanging out with family and friends.We are going out to dinner with our friends/neighbors tonight. Can't wait I feel like I have been trapped in the house for the last few weeks. 

So today's blog will be nice and short....

Martha Stewart Can SUCK IT....check out my flower arrangements!



Ciao babies.....

Friday, April 1, 2011

"Little Drama G's......





First Starbucks..No espresso here just milk........

Anti Aging .....April Fool's Day

So...believe this or not I have finally gotten to sit down and read last Sunday's paper! I know...I know I could be reading the paper on line but I just love to sit down and go through the paper the old fashioned way...so shoot me!

Anyway there was this whole article on a bio tech firm in Palo Alto that has "supposedly" discovered
a compound that would revolutionize the beauty industry. Allegoric acid, which contains an anti aging propertie better than any other beauty item on the market - so in lamest turn they are claiming that it is the "fountain of youth" for your face. Wooo Hoooo

Products range from $65.00 for the eye renewal balm to $135.00 for the anti aging moisturizer. It goes under the name Algenist. Sephora and QVC will be carrying the brand.
Little pricey however I will be the first in line to try this product.  Why you ask..... anything that will help the "grill" stay fresh and glowy is worth the price.

I also think going this route and doing some pre maintenance on the face is better than shooting up botox.
Oh don't get me wrong, I have checked into botox,  however after much research and thinking I decided that it was not for me. It is hard not to get obsessed about staying young.  I live in the land of the botox monkeys. Marin county is full of women running around in their Mercedes SUV's with no expressions on their faces, sometimes it is hard to tell what they are thinking.....or not... {note not everyone in Marin County is a shallow botox monkey but their is def. a small circle that are}. Sometimes you have to deal with them in order to live in a place that is so beautiful!

I can honestly say that for being 41 my skin is holding up well -Most people think I am younger than my chronicle age WHICH IS AWESOME...I thank my regular facials, I stopped smoking{that was a biggie} and I wash/moisturize every night.....no exceptions!  Even during my drunkin' party days,  no matter how wasted I was {and their were many o nights} I always washed the kisser....

Why are we so obsessed with staying young? I ask that question on a daily basis. The plastic surgery obsession has gotten completely out of control allot of these women and some men are beginning to look like some bad science experiment...Example: I remember  visiting Orange County{Southern California} a little while back and being completely traumatized by the amount of fake boobs, lip injected, collagen filled cheek stepford wives zombies that were running around the malls. It was scary.....

Is that what men really want or have they been brainwashed to think that is what they want?


Something to think about......

Smooches

Feeling the love......