Sharing my wisdom

...that I got from Real Simple. Seriously, if you don't currently get / read this magazine (or steal it from you mom when she's done with it, like I am currently doing) you have NO idea what you're missing. It's the most all inclusive magazine I have found yet. It not only makes you want to be a more well-rounded individual, but also tells you how to become one!

In one month they'll give you fitness tips, time saving tricks, simple alternate uses for common household items, affordable work outfits and delicious recipes. I can't say enough wonderful things about this magazine. And just to show you how wonderful it is...here's possibly my FAVORITE thing I've ever learned from Real Simple. It came to me the other day as I was reading Rachel's post on How to Avoid FEMA Pancakes. And while I still restrict myself to using premixed batter (not quite grown up enough yet), I have discovered a way (thanks to Real Simple) to not drip batter everywhere.

Next time you squeeze out that last drop of Ketchup, DO NOT throw away the bottle. Wash it and throw it in the disaster cupboard. You know the one, the place you store all containers and covers you've acquired along the way. The dreaded Tupperware cupboard. (I always think it's funny I still call it that, even though it doesn't house a single piece of Tupperware...mostly Gladware, I should call it the Gladware cupboard.) Anyway - that cupboard where you open carefully, throw something it and quick shut it before the bowl falls out. (I KNOW I'm not alone on this one).
You'll be so thankful you saved it, next time you get the pancake cravings. Make your batter as per usual, but instead of trying to cleanly transfer batter to pan via that measuring cup, simply funnel the batter into that empty ketchup bottle. And just squeeze out your perfectly portioned and mess free pancakes!

Voila!

Photo from Real Simple Magazine

Now don't say I never taught you anything.

Happy Birthday Joey.

I swear, I am trying to pull enough words together to post something that doesn't include bullets - blame my job for making me write all the time. When I got to post I just want to write like I'm thinking...in short, unrelated spasms of information. So there's that. I'm going to try my hardest though.

My nephew turned two yesterday...TWO. I can't believe he's already that old. He's a little man. I can't even call him a baby anymore. He walks around investigating everything. He speaks in nearly full sentences. He's able to tell you what he wants and when he wants it. I can't believe he's such a functional human being. I remember when he was born, when he first smiled, when he first crawled. I know you hear it all the time, but they grow up in the blink of an eye. And it amazes me every time I see him, how capable he is. Every new skill, word, physical ability - amazes me. It's probably also because he's so small that it doesn't seem like he should be able to do a lot of what he can. (There was a kid 6 months younger than him at his party that both out weighed him and was also a good 4" taller...he's a peanut).

It's been really interesting to me to have the aunt / nephew relationship. You get to see this little being grow almost as much as you do as a parent. I see him pretty frequently, he knows who I am. I love that I get to "practice" being a parent. (I know, it's nowhere NEAR what actually being a parent is, but I like to think it's a good window into the world).

Yesterday we had a birthday party at my parents for him. It was adorable. He loves, LOVES Buzz Lightyear. It looked like Toy Story threw up on my parent's house yesterday. He loved it. Buzz, Buzz, Buzz. It was too cute for words. His favorite presents? Balloons. He was more excited about those than any of the toys. He didn't care much for gift opening or cake eating (he didn't do any of either).

There were a ton of moments yesterday that made me feel lucky to be an Auntie. I got to rock him and read him 3 stories (my favorite books as a kid that we gave him as presents). I swam with him for hours. I got to hear the newest things my brother has taught him, including "aw, maaaan" and (my personal favorite) "oh balls!" (this kid is going to wreak havoc on preschool).

But probably my favorite part of the day (tearing up recapping it right now) was when Christian came out of the house in his swim trunks ready to get in the pool. I was already in with Joey and my dad and when Christian walked out, Joey* started screaming, "Chi Chi, Chi Chi!" (what he calls Christian - Christian's pretty tough for his little 2 year old vocab). He started counting for Chi Chi to jump in the pool. So excited to swim with his Uncle ChiChi. His favorite game is to count to three and dunk Christian under water. He was literally shaking with excitement for his Uncle ChiChi to come swim with him...and swim they did for almost 4 hours straight. I almost died it was so adorably heart warming. And then? The icing on the cake? He said to him, "Love you Chi Chi." Seriously, I died.

And if I didn't want babies with this man before? I'm sold. I'm so so sold.

*To keep confusion to a minimum, I should mention that my nephew has about a billion nicknames. He was born Jackson Joseph with intentions of calling him JJ. The family mostly calls him Joey now. But along the way, he's been Jack, Jackson, JJ, Joes, Joey and Toodie and Tood.

Time flies.

After the past two weeks, I believe it actually may fly. I can't believe it's already August 20?! Although, as I said earlier this week, I am more than okay with summer leaving the stage allowing for fall to make his grand entrance (for those of you who didn't see it last time, spring and summer are shes, fall and winter are hes).
There has just been a whirlwind of things going on and in an effort to keep what little bit of brain power I have left - I'm bulleting through this bad boy.

-Seeing all my cheerleaders pack up and move away to college makes me a bit nostalgic for the good old days of dorm rooms and lecture halls (okay maybe just the dorm room part of it).

-We've made (official) plans to head up to MN for Homecoming this year - which cures the nostalgia pains. (I'm also ecstatic to introduce C to my favorite non-human part of my college experience) Damn, I love me some Homecoming.

-I am actually going to make it to the game this time too! (Tickets are DEFINITELY not $7 anymore!)

-We looked at a house this week. It's a fixer upper...something that both excites and terrifies me. It has some great potential though, so we'll see if it's meant to be our home.

-This also means we'll be putting our house back on the market - this weekend includes carpet cleaning in preparation.

-The last two weekends have involved closet cleaning...we donated 9 bags of old / unused shit in total to my parent's monthly Purple Heart pick up. (It's a good thing we did, my dad was starting to grab stuff my mom uses every day just so they'd have something to donate).

-I spent this week "testing out" a possible new / different position for me within the same company - it's still up in the air and we'll see what happens with it, but I've REALLY enjoyed the projects I was assigned this week and would be pretty happy if it goes through!

That's about it - this weekend on top of carpet cleaning we'll be spending some time with friends at Irish Fest (I've only been once for a couple hours during the day so we'll see what happens at night?!), and Sunday it's my nephew's 2nd birthday so we'll be at his party at my parents. To tide you over until next week, here's an adorable picture of him and his mom, who he strictly refers to as "yea, mama!"

Happy Birthday Joey!

Falling slowly.

It's almost here. I can sense the anticipation. Smell it in the air. Feel it at night and early morning. Fall is coming soon!

Last night as we headed in we noticed there was a cooler breeze rustling through the trees. And this morning as I left for work, instead of being hit with the thick wall of humidity, I easily took a deep breath in and felt a cool crisp about the air. I may be a bit premature in my celebration (who can blame me after the past few weeks of hellish humidity?! and the mosquitoes?! Don't get me started.) but sooner rather than later, my favorite of all seasons will be among us.

For some reason as I age, Fall becomes more and more my most favorite season. As a kid I think it's innate within us to embrace summer as our all time favorite. With school being out and three months ahead to do with whatever we please, it does make sense after all. But now that work becomes a 12 months out of the year kind of thing, summer doesn't have quite the appeal to it as years past.

Don't get me wrong, there are things about every season I anticipate and enjoy throughout the year. summer has its special place in my heart if for nothing more than Sunday afternoons in my parents pool. Grill going, music playing, sun shining and good company surrounding us. Sundays at my parents is exactly what I picture in my head when I think of summer. However, come the humidity and heat of August, I'm usually just about over Summer by the time September swings in.

And with Christmas being my favorite holiday, winter has its moments too. I love the first snow fall (and my tradition of watching Home Alone on that first night of snowfall). When it's not the dead of winter and I'm freezing while scraping snow off my car, I long to get all bundled up and walk through the lightly falling snow. And don't even get me started on the entire month of December. As far as I'm concerned December = Christmas...that's right, the whole damn month! But come February? I'm so. over. winter. (If I'm being honest, I'm pretty much over winter after the first of the year. I could handle just November, December and January as winter and then hit me up with spring!)

Spring kind of comes in dead last in terms of seasons...I mean sure I like feeling when it's just starting to get warm. That first day you can open the windows and while the breeze is a bit chilly you push on through just so you can feel fresh air in your house again! And the first smell of fresh cut grass, the first baseball game, driving with your windows down and heat blasting just so you can get that feeling of warmth in the car. I love all those things...but really to me spring is just a little tugboat for summer. I like it but only because I know what follows it up. It's that opening band you didn't know of but were pleasantly surprised with.

But fall...fall is my favorite. More than most years (I can remember at least) I'm really looking forward to this fall. I think it holds some good things. I'm already looking forward to the first Caramel Apple Spice Cider. The leaves changing and then falling. Bonfire smell. Wearing a sweatshirt and jeans. Football. A chilly breeze with the windows open at night. Rolling down the windows.

Ugh, I can hardly stand the wait! Adios humidity and mosquitoes, hello fall!*

*And for all the cynics out there, yes, I'm well aware that come February, in true Wisconsinite form, I'll be all, "GOD, this is TERRIBLE. I'm so damn cold. When will it be summer again?!" But, again, I am a Wisconsinite, and this is what we do.

If I had three wishes....

..to use before Winter. (Come on, if the Universe reads this and in fact grants my three wishes, I'd hate to find out later that because I wasn't specific on time frame, they won't be granted for years and they'd be the ONLY wishes I'd have for my whole lifetime!? This is just proper precaution people).

Ok, so three wishes, granted by Winter...GO!

Wish #1
Good to Go takes off. My parents have been busting their humps for almost 3 years now to get this amazing concept my dad dreamt up off the ground. They've been through more trials and tribulations than most and have persevered and stayed positive through the whole. damn. thing. They deserve it more than anyone I can think of and they've put forth so much blood, sweat, tears (and money!) that they've more than earned it. Even if I never see any windfall positives from it - I want it so badly for them. So, wish #1 - Good to Go comes to fruition.

Wish #2
We would sell our house. (yup, we're thinking of putting it back on the market - because it was so much fun the first time!). We're getting the moving bug again and since we learned how awesome it is to sell you're house in the Winter, we're going to try to get ahead of the game and have it on during the Summer / Fall time. And just to prove I'm not being too greedy with these wishes, I won't even ask that we can sell it for more than we listed last time...I'd be fine with that. (Though, just in case the Universe is listening - I also wouldn't complain with a few extra dollars thrown in for good measure....oh! and also quickly...) So greedy wish would be "we would sell our house for more than previously listed at, quickly, but definitely before Winter." However, I'll be over the moon happy if granted, "We would sell our house before Winter." (Just giving the Universe some wiggle room in case of possible upgrades).

Wish #3
We live in a house in Wauwatosa (in the Wauwatosa EAST High School District). (Are you sick of hearing me obsess over Tosa yet?!) In conjunction with the possibility of us selling our house I am once again back in full swing of obsessively and compulsively checking the MLS listings for Wauwatosa. We've got about 16 houses we're interested in (only via pictures - I'm sure we'll weed that down quite quickly once we actually see them in person) as well as one that's a much more likely situation. Again, not being greedy, just want to live in Wauwatosa...and no I'm not already thinking about school districts or where my 15 year old children will attend class, it's just that we want to live on the East side of Wauwatosa (to be closer to the city) so we're limiting it to that district since that encompasses our priority of area to live. If I were being greedy I would say "I wish we would live in a house in Wauwatosa, in the East school district, within walking distance to the Village or North Ave, with a fenced in yard, 2 car garage, and white crown molding." But since I'm not being greedy (and know most of those things can be added / changed) I'm leaving it at minimum wish, house in Tosa, East side of town.

So there you have it, God, Universe, Genie in a lamp, whoever wants to take me up on this one, I've now clearly outlined what I would do, should I be given three wishes to be granted before Winter...of 2010 (just covering the bases).

OMG but Shhh!

So, my boss had me step out into the hall yesterday to have a conversation. Yeah, one of those oh my gosh, what did I do?! Did she see on FB the other day?! I knew it, I shouldn't have left a few minutes early on Friday?!

Nope, none of those things! It's still in early phases so I am working on accumulating all the details but in short, I'm taking a long term project with the Marketing team that involves all sorts of organizing, scheduling, paper work and logistics...all the things I love so dearly!

I'm crazy excited to work on this and can't wait to tell you more (when I myself learn more). But in the mean time, know that I've already created a binder and tabs and an organizing system on my computer. I've spent the morning adjusting spreadsheet upon spreadsheet to my own personal preferences and I am in heaven.

Logistics and organizing are SO my thing.

Wicked!

Oh my goodness! Or wickedness! We went last night to see Wicked, the Broadway Play off-broadway traveling here in Milwaukee for the last month or so. (If you live here in Mil-town go see it! Seriously! It's only here for a few more days!)

I've been interested in seeing this for a while now, heard good things from credible sources that it was entertaining. While there's been attempts to see it in the past, it all came together and worked out last night. Honestly, I wasn't pumped for this one. I knew it would be good, and I love Wizard of Oz, and I'm a sucker for a musical with modern music, so I figured I'd enjoy it but I wasn't jumping out of my seat to see it.

Man was I wrong. I loved this show. I enjoyed every minute and with someone who admittedly has a short attention span, this show FLEW by. At no point was I checking the program to see how many songs were left til intermission (even in shows I'm enjoying, I do this...I have a short attention span and a need to know the "plan" at any given moment, it's a flaw, I know). At intermission I actually said, "I'm already sad that this is going to be over soon!"

Music was fantastic - I had heard the popular (ha!) songs before and knew I enjoyed them. Seriously, "Defying Gravity" occasionally comes up on my Glee Cast Radio Station on Pandora (don't judge, anything that plays Lion King, Usher, Boyz II Men, and Broadway - TOTALLY has my attention!). I can't NOT stand a little straighter, walk a little prouder, get a little bit inspired when I hear that song. Just love it. But ALL the music entertained me. There wasn't a song I despised (also rare for a musical - I'm looking at you "Halloween" from RENT).

The costumes were amazing. Save the scare-the-shit-out-of-me random weird puppet men during the Emerald City visit I was intrigued and mesmerized by them all. Okay - the monkeys freaked me out, but I was expecting that. Flying monkeys will do that to you!

The acting was phe-no-min-al! I had heard that the leads in this tour were as strong as you can get to the OG's from Broadway. And a couple times throughout the show I had to remind myself I was not watching Idina and Kristen. They were incredible - both in acting and singing. Just wonderfully amazing. Can't say enough about their talent. They could've carried the show on their own.

Plot entertained me. And given my inability to stay awake / entertained through an entire movie these days, that's a pretty fantastic review.

I kind of want to be more Gaaaaalinda. Including the fabulous leg kick for emphasis. And also - she kind of reminded me of Rebecca with some of her characteristics (not the super annoyingly obnoxious ones, of course). And also - I'm so hijacking hideodius and making it my own.

Finally, RENT has always been my tip top favorite. (judge away Broadway buffs...it's good). I love the music, the actors pulled me in and kept me there. I wanted to hug Roger, tango with Mark, and occasionally be Mimi, minus the obvious parts). But, this just might take the cake! Or at least tie for certain. And also - to enhance credibility - I have seen a fair number of Broadway Shoes (both classic and modern) giving me a reliable database in which to compare to. (Also also, if Spring Awakening hadn't been painfully uncomfortably graphic at some points it probably would rank a little higher, just sayin'.)*

Go. See. Wicked.

*When Brokeback Mountain came out, I was confident in saying that it made me uncomfortable NOT because of the gay scenes but because they were SUPER graphic and hardcore. I knew I would be JUST as uncomfortable if two straight people were going at it that graphically for an audience. Spring Awakening was when I realized that was a very accurate statement. Also when I realized how thankful I was that it didn't work out for us to see that w/ C's grandparents. Thank you Universe.

Weekend Highlights

This past weekend we traveled to Minneapolis. As per usual, it was a fantastic weekend. We packed it full of fun and people and I'm still pretty smiley from it. (Which is extra impressive as this week has proven to be the. longest. week. ever).

Let's bullet this...

Friday:

• drive up was rather quick, C drove the whole way - I'm a fan of this.
• got to see the Elliott's beautiful new home.
• ate sushi and drank wine with some of my favorite people, while being texted by other of my favorite people wondering where we were. This makes me feel a) like Hollywood and b) loved.

Old Balls Pub Crawl:

• This happened on Friday but deserves its own heading.
  
• A bunch of alumni got dressed up in their beloved Maroon and Gold and stormed a variety of campus bars.
• We met them about half way through.
• We caught up quick - first round? Beer and a shot of tequila. We were not wasting time.
  
• Christian wore a Minnesota t-shirt and was the cutest damn gopher in the world.
  
• Gina and I did more shots. (We never do shots). They were our idea (they're never our idea).
• I got to see Sukie and how absolutely wonderfully fabulous she looks. (seriously).
• I got a taste of what hell is like - in the Big 10 Bathrooms (they're in the basement, with no a/c and no air flow whatsoever. It's the only time peeing caused me to break into a sweat).
  
• I decided I wish I could clone Ben and take him with me every time I drink as he magically knows when we as a group should be cut off and cuts us off JUST before we realize it - which makes me a happy camper the following morning.

Saturday:

• Visited the best Target I've ever seen in my life - seriously, it was amazingly beautiful and friendly and wonderful. I fell in love.
• Got to spend the morning helping Gina get ready for the housewarming party (I love party food and the various preparation).
  
• I got to see a whole bunch of my favorite people all in one place.
  
• Sukie dished about boys (which made me happy).
  
• The Simmons continued to prove their worthiness as one of our favorite married couples ever.
  
• Christian played bags with people he knew and some he didn't. This made my heart smile because he's more comfy w/ my MN friends...I love groups meshing together.
  
• I got to play with two adorable 10 month old twin boys. I wanted twins. And then I didn't. And then I did.
• Jake broke a lawn chair and we laughed, a lot. Sukie cried...and then posted it on facebook.
  
• We got to go to the Twins Game at the brand spankin' new Target Field. It was gorgeous, I hardly saw any of the game.
  
• We went out after wards and it was sweltering. Ben and I had a hilariously truthful conversation about our realization that this was in fact hell. No flames, just painfully hot with no relief whatsoever. Minus the beer.
  
• After we got home, The Elliotts and myself planned to go to bed at 1:30, instead we stayed up talking until 3:00 and I loved every late minute of it.
  

Sunday:

• Brunch within walking distance of the Elliott's perfect home.
  
• Delicious soup, eggcellent omelet and a red velvet cupcake.
  
• I slept on the drive home - for almost all of it, loved this.
• Christian and I got my favorite (unhealthy) road trip snack of yellow Gatorade and combos (I get it almost every time I'm driving more than a couple hours).
  
• We had delicious pizza and snuggled with our furkids.
  

Seriously - it's going down as one of my favorite weekends ever. It was full of so many things I love and that love me back. Can't wait to head back up there and do it all over again.

If I had a million dollars...

I don't want to be greedy, really I don't. But I can't help but think of a few things I would do with a million dollars.

Actually, in the spirit of NOT being greedy, I'll say, if I had $100k. That's less greedy for sure. I know they say money can't buy you happiness, and I know it can't buy you COMPLETE happiness. However, it can buy you things that can lead you to happiness. This I know. And because there's no such thing as free lunch - you need money to buy you things. (Okay, sometimes you can swing a free lunch, but I don't think you can swing a free house. Free car? Probably not.)

I should also mention that while I had a fabulous time in Minneapolis this past weekend, it may or may not have further reinforced this desire for $100k. Not that I would've turned it down before, but now I'm all, "I just NEED it."

So without further ado, my list of things I'd do right now w/ $100k or that I'd be able to do in the aftermath of getting $100k.

• First - I'd take my parents on a vacation. God knows I owe those people buttloads of money - so if I magically came upon that much, I'd give some to them in the form of a trip so they couldn't spend it on boring things that they *have* to....as a down payment on what I owe them over the course of my life. And really, if anyone deserves a vacation - it's those two. (thanks Mom & Dad!)
  
• Make my house sellable. It's a nice house, really it is. But I know there's somethings I could do to it to make it more attractive to buyers (namely, new appliances - my fridge is older than I am).
  
• Sell my house. I'd be slightly more comfortable with lowering the cost of the house if I knew I had some back up money for purchase of new house.
  
• Buy a house in Tosa. Okay - seriously. I've been talking about this for pretty much ever now. Just let me have a house okay? And if I can hand select it, we'd like the house on 84th & Stickney. Yes, the one I've been looking at the same 10 pictures of every day since Christian spotted it two weeks ago.
• Pay off any and all loans and debts related to cars and school. Pretty self explanatory on that one.
  
• Give Christian a handful of dollars so he can do what he sees fit with it. (*cough* buy a ring *cough*).
• Save a nice little chunk of said $100k for any upcoming events in which we invite all of our friends and family, buy them dinner and then dance and drink. You know, just in case.
  
• Put aside a smaller chunk of money labeled "Fly me to the Minneapolis." So that I can just hop a plane and see my MN friends any time I want without having to worry about how much a flight is or how long the drive is.
• Finally, I'd go to Disney World. C hasn't been since he was a kid and I love that place so damn much I'm always down for a trip to Disney. But as I've learned, all that magic costs some serious bills - so when we decide on vacations, it's usually moved to the bottom of the list.
  

And then I'd save whatever is left so I can buy the occasional expensive pair of shoes, jeans that make my butt look great, hair cut and color and leg wax without having to think about if my mortgage goes unpaid. I mean, sometimes, in the heat of the moment, it's tough to decide if smooth legs, colored hair and a great ass is worth an unpaid mortgage! It'd be nice to not have to worry.*

*For those of you worrying that I may cause C and the girls to become homeless because I'm rocking great heels - fear not. I always err on the side of paying my bills, just sayin' SOMETIMES it's really hard to make that decision.