Fun in Moab

Jon works in Moab every once in a while, so we took advantage of his time there to play with our friends Caity and Bob. It was a blast! Apparently the only photos I have on my crappy camera are of the pool and how much Ella LOVED it.


The trip also involved many laughs, sketchy eggs, dual queen beds, lots of licorice and taffy, beautiful blue skies and snow, red mud, warm walks down main street, a psycho tree-hugger who I wish I could go back and punch in the teeth, delicious fish tacos, no trespassing signs, a baby who is not so sure about hiking in the rain, a tad bit of racism :), and some absolutely beautiful scenery.

Unfortunately you will have to go to Caity's blog to see the pictures taken at her skilled hand, until I steal them from her...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We celebrated one of my favorite holidays a few days early by inviting some neighbors over for traditional Irish fare - Corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread. The green sugar cookies were a fun touch, too. Thanks to our buddies for being patient with my Irish-ness... and cooking!

Oh yeah!

You can tell how awesome your weekend was by the color and amount of dirt on your shoes! Thank you, Moab, for a fabulous weekend! (More pics will follow once I charge my camera!)

What did you just say??!?

"Screw me once, shame on me. Screw me twice, shame on you..." What???

"The security system is completely ATOMIC of the rest of the school's technology."

Jon has a knack for throwing common sayings and words into his everyday conversations. The only problem is that he sometimes mis-quotes them but has no idea. When I tell him that he's mistaken, It's kind of like finding out that your mom's potato salad (or other family favorite) isn't the only way to make that dish, and in fact is really disgusting compared to other ways people make it.

First, you deny it. Then you cave in and taste the other kind and it blows your mind. Finally, you really have to work hard to change your current way of thinking to make room for this new, fabulous discovery.

In Jon's case, he tells me there's no way I'm right because that's how "EVERYONE" says it... Then we do a random poll or google search and he realizes his error. Then I go into "teacher mode" and help him see how his way doesn't make much sense... And he finally accepts it and changes his mind.

It's at least a weekly occurance... And I think he's getting sick of me! But I know he's not the only one out there! Help him out - what are some common sayings you (or a loved one) messed up until someone helped you out?

(Oh, and by the way... MY mom's potato salad is absolutely the best. No one will ever convince me otherwise!)

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

"This is the first generation of kids expected to live a shorter life than their parents..." Wow. Read it again. Thus begins the trailer for a show on ABC that I'm very excited about. Jamie Oliver, a British chef, and star of the show "The Naked Chef" is doing a very noble and important thing - he's teaching America how to eat.

That first line really hit me, and I think it needs to hit us all. It's pretty sad that we are so far-removed from what healthy eating means, that we need a man from a country known for it's fried fish and chips and greasy "English Breakfasts" to re-educate us how to eat and feed our children well. Not only is his show going to make eating well seem "cool," but he is also forming a petition to take to the White House that will help politicians and industry leaders see the importance of healthy food in schools. Go Jamie!

Click Here to go to Jamie's website and sign the petition yourself. And tune in on March 26 for the show's premiere!

Dress Ups

Is it Spring yet???

Dreaming

What would you do with a few extra dollars? (Or a few hundred, or even a few thousand??) Since becoming a mother without a second income, the money situation isn't as easy as it used to be, and given the current economic situation of our country, I have a feeling I'm not the only one. So, the other day Jon and I were daydreaming about how nice it would be to just have a bit of extra money. The problem is, that because we have a family now, all my thoughts for extra money go to practical things like college savings or food storage or diapers. It's actually very difficult for me to dream of something that would truly be a splurge.

I would love to travel. Go to Macchu Pichu and Tonga and Italy and on a Carribbean Cruise. Just disappear for like 3 months. And buy fabulous shoes that are comfortable yet fashionable (I haven't found them yet... maybe I could pay a designer...) And I would decorate my whole house in Ethan Allen and Pottery Barn. I absolutely love those stores.

So, I want to get you all dreaming and hear your ideas. Pretend we don't have a scary economy or bills or disasters to plan for. What would you completely pamper yourself or your family with? It can't be anything practical. Just dive off the selfish and silly deep end and share your thoughts!