I've Been Under House Arrest!

The past few weeks I haven’t written one post. I’ve been under house arrest!

May 15, I turned in the last of my grades, and was relieved to have at least a couple weeks break. Since then, my roles have been wifey, and mom. I’ve cooked just about every day, having dinner ready by 4:30, and a couple of occasions 3:30. Not only have I been cooking dinner, I’ve made cookies, two cakes, and a home made peach cobbler.

My wifey/mom duties have extended beyond the kitchen. I’ve washed, washed, washed and washed more clothes. Our dirty clothes hamper is a never ending pit. It’s not like washing is anything new. With a family as large as mine, I don’t have a certain day to wash clothes. That’s an every day chore. With more time at home, I’ve washed more than usual.

Last week alone, I was at the kids schools (4), for two awards assembly’s, a basket ball game, taking the home work left on the kitchen table, meeting with a counselor, and a financial aid pow-wow at the university. That doesn’t include dropping off, and picking up at three different schools, or ball games, practices, and meetings after hours!

That first week when Mr. Husband came home and dinner was waiting, and his favorite cookies were coming out of the oven, the house smelled like clean clothes, he smiled. “You see what you could have if I was at home full time.” I said.

I was joking, and he knows that. There is way more work at home, than at work!!! I’ve enjoyed cooking, cleaning, and running around. My family seemed to have appreciated my efforts. June 1, I’m starting my summer job, and looking forward to it.

Today, I’m freeing myself from house arrest, writing a little bit, and posting. I might even treat myself to lunch.

A First At 40

As indicated in my post “My Mother’s Day Wish List,” all I wanted was a manicure and a pedicure. I got my wish!

Friday, Mr. Husband took me for a manicure, and my very first pedicure. I was so excited and couldn’t stop smiling! In all of my 40 Years, I have NEVER had a pedicure.

I was lead to a massage chair, where I was directed to place my feet in the footbath of warm slightly sudsy water. Sitting there I struggled to read my notes from the “31 Day Challenge to Build a Better Blog,” http://www.problogger.net/31-days-to-build-a-better-blog-join-9100-other-bloggers-today/. Finally, I had to yield to the relaxation that was overcoming me. I put my paper and pen down, and enjoyed the full experience!

My toenails were clipped, and the bottom of my feet shaved. OMG! I thought since I had used a pedegg, all the cheese from my feet had been removed. (See “A Cheese Grater For Your Feet” http://www.junkdrawerblog.com/2009/02/a-cheese-grater-for-your-feet.html
I was hoping no one was looking at my foot crap, like I watched the lady’s in the next spa chair. Gross!!!

Next came the sugar exfoliating rub, and the pumice stone. It tickled a bit, but I hung in there. Afterwards, Brian, my Asian mani/pedi – curist, massaged my feet and legs with the creamiest lotion/cream. Who cares what it was, it felt great! I was ready for a nap, he was working his magic.

Scanning a mental calendar in my head, I searched to find a date for my next pedicure. I remembered an article I’d recently read on how to save money. One way was to cut out an addiction, or costly habits. I not a shop-aholic, don’t smoke, or don’t drink. Well, I don’t drink alcohol. I do consume quiet a bit of Coca-Cola. Figuring if I cut back on a few Cokes a week, I could pay for a manicure a month.

Reality set in… am I ready to give up Coke for pedicures? I’ll get back to you on that!

Mr. magic hands, Brian finished the pedicure by giving my toes a French polishing. I’m not one who thinks feet are pretty. For crying out loud, they’re feet! We walk around on them, and stuff them in shoes. Pretty? Not.

Like an ugly person, you can dress feet up, and make them look nice. My feet look near pretty.

This summer, I will be a toes bearing, sandal wearing mama!

Best Gift

What was the best gift you either received or gave for Mother's Day?

My Mother's Day Wish List

Commercials for Mother's Day gifts have been abundant lately. Advertisements for flowers, cards, candy and much more are on TV and radio. My kids heard something that sounded interesting to them, and asked when will Daddy be home? I figured then, while they're getting ideas together, now is the chance to let them know exactly what I want.

I could use a lot of things, and want a couple dozen others. Actually my wish list, if you can call it a list, for Mother's Day is very short and simple!

I turned to my children and said, "I want my feet and nails done for Mother's Day."

In the presence of my husband later, I mentioned, I would like a manicure, and pedicure for Mother's Day. There, that was twice. I was once told, If you want people to remember something, it must be said at least three times. Just a couple of days ago, trying to use my raggedy electric can opener, I fussed, "I hate this thing!" One of my daughters said, "That would be a good idea for a Mother's Day gift."

"No it won't," I responded. "I would like a mani - pedi for Mother's Day," There. I said for the third time. Then I reminded them that I've said it before. But of course, no one remembered.

New plan. For the next three days, I will leave subliminal messages. "I want a mani -pedi!" Let's see if that works.

What's For Dinner???

Every day without fail, my family ask the age old question, “What’s for dinner?”

I used to tell them, Lirocatchamella, a word my grandmother used with her children when they asked the same question. It translates to “None of your business.” I’ve cooked so many different meals, until some nights I need help. I’m almost begging for an idea. The last thing my family wants to hear is LEFTOVERS!

Around 6:45 p.m. if I’m not in the kitchen or the family doesn’t smell anything cooking, they’ll ask… WFD? If my response is leftovers, OMG, you’d think I just shot Obama. Faces get long, and they get sick. “Leftovers,” might as well be a four letter word. It’s definitely a bad word in my house.

I’ve tried using other word like, redos, replays and do-overs. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Leftovers, is anything we’ve already had and is still hanging around in the refrigerator. My husband, Mr. I don’t really care for leftovers, says it’s a shame to throw away food, thus, throwing away money.

Mr. is right. We’re throwing away too much food. Leftover food goes in the refrigerator, and stays, until it expires. The next step is the garbage disposal. I’ve had to get creative. Making leftovers look like something other than leftovers is more than a magic trick.

Recently, we had leftover macaroni and cheese, and roasted chicken. Reheating the chicken would surely dry it out. Operation Leftover Makeover was in full affect. Generally, any leftovers, reinvented are called Tonya Helper. To the mac and cheese, I added a can of cream of mushroom, a can of Rotel tomatoes, and the de-boned and chopped chicken.

Wa-La Redos in disguise! I served it with a salad and French bread. I am the woman!

I’ve learned, although it took me years, just warming leftovers, and presenting them looking like the first go round, doesn’t always, almost never gets a favorable response.

I know you’re wondering, why cook so much? Well… I have a large family, and I can’t ever just cook a little. And we’re subject to have two to three of the kids friends over at any time. Secondly, we are a very busy family. From church, organizations, and sports it’s not uncommon to be away from the house three days a week. In the Spring and Summer, a two sport season, we’re out every evening. For that reason, I cook extra so that we can have leftovers. This frees me up from cooking every day, and we can eat before 9 p.m.

The Leftover Makeover seems to work pretty well. I wonder if they’ll ever figure it out?! It will just be my (our) little secret.