technical difficulties *UPDATE*

All is well! Just needed to replace the keyboard. Too many juice spills and death drops, I suppose. RIP, Fancy Keyboard, I'll miss you!

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one of the kids did something to my keyboard. will not be blogging for a bit. no shift or space.

Sunday Gratitude (on Monday)

Me, my mom and Grandma Dee Dee, 1976
This picture was not planned, but I'm so glad that it happened.

Excuse the lateness of the post. All of my babies are sick, so my hours are spent caring from them or trying to get some rest so I can be ready to care for them when they need me. And washing dishes. Lots of dishes. Our dishwasher is still out of commission, but hopefully that will be resolved very soon.

Last week was one that I have been waiting for for a long time -- I had a morning out with a friend planned, and an entire day in Portland with my mom scheduled. As a mom, it can be incredibly difficult to make things happen for ourselves, as we tend to be last on the list, so I can't help but think that it was a near miracle that I got to do two amazing things in one week. My mom and my husband were my angels, helping me make this happen. I called my mom, sobbing, on Thursday night because my babysitter canceled at the very last minute, and I was just so sad that I wouldn't be able to go and see a friend that I had really been looking forward to spending time with. I just needed her to comfort me, and then she ended up saving my life, volunteering to drive over early in the morning to watch the little boys so I could go. I am so lucky to have my mom! And then I felt even luckier the next day when I got to spend so much time with her, while my husband stayed home with three sick kids.

So my gratitude this week is for my family, that totally supports me in my endeavors and desires. My cup was filled, and I now feel ready to give all that I have in nursing these kids back to health, praying that I will continue to stay healthy!!!

A Few of My Favorite Beauty Things

I have to admit I have really been trying to buy and use some things that will make me feel better about my appearance on a daily basis. The kinds of things that really only I notice, but make a big difference when I take the time to take care of myself. I thought I'd share some of my favorite things with you, and then maybe get some input.

I was talking to a friend recently who said that she never buys bodywash because she thinks it is a waste of money. Well, bodywash is my favorite splurge, and at less than $3 a bottle, it really doesn't seem like a splurge at all. My absolute favorite is Softsoap's Pink Grapefruit. I absolutely love the scent -- it is very invigorating and natural -- and it is very moisturizing. My husband likes it too. Unfortunately, I think they are discontinuing this scent, so I had to pick up some Orange Peel and Honeysuckle. It smells good too, but not as good as the Grapefruit.

This summer I got hooked up with a deep discount for Mary Kay products. The main thing I wanted to buy was the Micro-dermabrasion kit. I had tried micro-dermabrasion about a year ago, and loved how it made my skin feel. I also have these fantasies of being able to just rub all the many spots off my face, but that' not really going to happen unless I go under a laser. Although I wish the lotion you use afterwards was more moisturizing (I have to use my regular moisturizer on top of it), the grainy stuff is awesome! I use it every 7-10 days and can tell a big difference. I think it has evened out my skin tone and made my skin a bit brighter. I love this stuff. It's spendy, at about $50, but the kit will last me at least a year.
The other thing I got from Mary Kay was the Mineral Foundation. It took some practice to figure out how to use it, but I have been amazed at its light, yet concealing coverage. It is also spendy, at about $22, but again, it should last at least a year (and probably much more as I only use it every other day or so).

I have been on a quest for the perfect lipstick/lip gloss for several years. I like something that is kind of sheer, very moisturizing, and a shade that is kind of a dark plummy/pink. After reading a Glamour list of top products, I found out about this lip gloss. I went and bought it the next day. I love it!!! It meets all of my criteria, and, as a bonus, it has a yummy minty flavor. It stays on my lips for many hours, and is as soothing as Carmex (my other beauty staple). It is called Moistureshine Soothing LipSheers.

I also just recently discovered my absolute favorite body lotion -- Gold Bond Softening with Shea Butter (the picture is the wrong type). Actually, I think of it as an all-purpose lotion, because it is so thick that it works really well as a hand and foot lotion. Besides the thickness, I love the scent. It is light and floral, and smells better than anything in Bath & Bodyworks. I can't imagine buying a different lotion ever again.

For the past couple months I've been keeping my fingernails painted. Using my old polishes that I have collected over the years turned out to be a total disaster. They never got dry enough to be smudge-proof. Finally I invested in a couple of Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri polishes, and now after two coats my nails are dry within two minutes. It is so shiny that it doesn't need a top-coat. I love really dark colors on my short nails, and it makes me happy to look down and see pretty nails, even if I haven't gotten a shower in yet.

Now I need some help. I'm having major hair issues. My hair, which for so many years was fine and limp, has now become dry and a bit frizzy. Does anyone have any products they use that effectively keeps your hair smooth, sleek and shiny, without it looking greasy? I would prefer non-salon brands because I'm on a budget, but if it is a miracle cure, I might be willing to shell out.

Thanks!

My Tiny Best Friend

I like to say that my boys are enamored with me for about two years, and then they drop me like a bad habit, preferring their father over the person that birthed them and fed them from her own body. I remind myself often that I just have a very short time to enjoy this exclusive adoration, especially when I am woken up several times a night or carrying a baby on my hip for sixteen hours a day.

Sam is nearing his separation time. He will be 18 months in a couple weeks. Time has literally sped by and suddenly I can see this little boy coming out of him. Once he started walking (it's only been a couple months) it's like everything else started happening. He can speak! He says many words, and also uses sounds to indicate things that he wants. He can play with the big boys. He loves to laugh and tries to do things that are funny to make us laugh. He tickles and cuddles. He also still loves to climb and make terrible messes.

His favorite place to play is in the sink, and sometimes when I am trying to get dinner started or clean up another one of his floor messes (think five pounds of flour dumped in on the kitchen floor, with a cup of water sprinkled on top just for fun), I will let him play in there. He will stay in there until his fingers are the pruniest prunes and his body is soaked, head to toe.

It's not hard to say that I will miss this time. I think that is the benefit of having several children. I really understand how fast it all happens. How I will long for the middle of the night snuggles and constant companionship. As tired as I am, as frazzled and frustrated, I still can remember that it's not often in our lives that we get to be the center of someone's universe. And that's pretty cool.

Pumpkin Pie in a Glass

Right now the two ice cream stores in my town are featuring a pumpkin milkshake. These have never tempted me, because when I'm in the mood for a milkshake it's going to have oreos and chocolate in it. But, after recently reading a couple of blog posts about pumpkin milkshakes, and with some leftover vanilla ice cream in the fridge (and a can of pumpkin in the cupboard), I decided to take a stab at it. Turns out, these are pretty addictive. Especially since the recipe only uses a fraction of the can of pumpkin, so it is just waiting in the fridge to be made into another one the next night, and the next night, and so on. By the time I made my second one I added crushed gingersnaps, which made it even more delicious. I'll share two variations -- one for a treat, and the other for a snack. I've tried it both ways, and while a treat is always going to be yummiest, it's nice to know that I can satisfying my craving without opening the container of ice cream.


Pumpkin Pie Milkshake (makes enough for one large or two small milkshakes)
1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice (or just add a pinch of nutmeg and clove)
1/3-1/2 cup milk
2 T. brown sugar
1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
crushed gingersnap cookies

In your blender, puree the first five ingredients until smooth. Add ice cream and blend until incorporated (it will be thick, so you might have to reach in and stir it a couple times with a spoon). Stir in crushed cookies, reserving a little bit for the top. For a really special occasion, top with whipped cream.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
1 banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (or 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 cup milk
2 T. honey or brown sugar
2 cups ice

Add all to blender and mix until smooth.

Sunday Gratitude

My sweet Charlie playing in the dry leaves last week. Now, after several days of severe rain,
the leaves are more soggy than crisp.

After my dishwasher broke yesterday morning, I became incredibly grateful for my years of manual dish washing experience. I never even had experienced having a dishwasher until we moved here five years ago. Mike has promised that he will now become the dishwasher of the family until it gets fixed. Wouldn't that be nice?

So grateful for the new giant antique mall that moved in downtown. I had kind of been in a phase where I thought I didn't like antiques anymore, but after spending nearly an hour browsing yesterday, I found myself giddy, ogling the vintage jewelry and metal kitchen tins. I also spotted a 100-year-old farm table, with the original chairs, in near-perfect condition. Made me wish for a kitchen nook to tuck it into.

Zumba. I went to my first class on Thursday night, and it was the most fun I've had exercising in YEARS. I was a Jazzercize junkie in high school, and had not attended an aerobics class since then. I loved the freedom of movement, the invigorating music, and the amount of sweat I was able to get rid of during the hour-long workout. I keep trying so hard to be a runner, hating nearly every minute of it, but now I feel inspired to exercise again, and am looking forward to my next class tomorrow night.

A late night phone call from a long-distance friend, and another call the next day with wonderful news!

Pumpkin pie milkshakes (recipe tomorrow).

Healthy children. Keep hearing about so many families that have been struck down by the flu, but we have all stayed relatively well, which is so nice. Excuse me while I go find some wood to knock on.

Highlights Magazine activity books. My mom gave the boys several of these books each, and they have spent the whole week enthralled in picture puzzles, mazes and connect-the-dots. Nothing makes me happier than watching my children entertain themselves and become enthralled in what they are doing. Thanks, Mom!

Having my husband tell me that I look "really good" right before we all load into the car to run some errands.

I am so grateful for a quiet, simple weekend with my family. We were lazy. We were ambitious. We ate well. We had a lot of laughs. While it was pouring buckets outside, my home felt warm and cozy. Today I feel more content than I have for a long while.

I think these Sunday Gratitude posts may just be doing the trick.

Going Nuts

Sorry, I couldn't help the cheesy title.

We live on Walnut Street. In our backyard is a giant walnut tree. We've lived here for more than five years and all we have ever used the walnuts for is ammo during back yard smack-downs. The fact that I don't really like nuts, especially walnuts, probably contributed to our lack of interest.

This year we decided to finally take advantage of the bounty that is available to us, so we did a little research, and Mike made two really awesome drying trays that we have set up in the garage. Daily, Mike and the boys gather the nuts and then lay them out to cure on the trays. In our wet and cool weather, it can take up to three weeks before the nuts are ready to be taken out of their shells.

I think we have collected at least 50 pounds of nuts so far. Mike will probably start shelling them this weekend and then we will keep them in the freezer until we are ready to pack them up for Christmas gifts.