sAy AnYtHiNg

Good for What Ails Ya

I know it is probably a silly notion that in all the craziness that is our lives these days anyone would ever get indigestion or heartburn, but on the off chance that you do...I have found the cure!  This cure does not require a trip to the doctor or the pharmacy.  It is as simple as stopping by Trader Joe's (which is a fabulous store anyway, so what's not to love about having a reason to go there to shop?) and picking up a sack of organic candied ginger chunks.  Eat a couple of these little wonders and all your pain and discomfort is a thing of the past, and it is organic and natural so you are not consuming mass quantities of unknown chemicals which is always a bonus in my book.  But wait there's more...they only cost around $3.00 a bag, not $750,000.00 $10 - $15 like Pepcid and the like can cost.  Finding these little gems has been a blessing for our family, hope it works for you and yours as well!

For more great tips check out Works for me Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer!

P.S. If this is your first time here, welcome, and feel free to browse all you want!

Home Sweet Home or Back to Reality

  Yes, we are back from paradise.  I am glad to be home, kinda. Oh, who am I kidding I would be back there in a blink if I could.  Where is the freshly cut mango and papaya waiting for me every morning?  Where is the fresh from the ocean two pound lobster prepared perfectly for my dinner?  Where are the fresh towels and sheets everyday, and how come no one is turning my bed down at night?  Where is my driver waiting to whisk me to wherever I desire?  Where is the beautiful beach, crystal clear ocean, sunsets, pool, pool volleyball?  Where is my extended family to have fun with everyday?  And what is the meaning of the non-stop rain and thunderstorms that served as our welcome home?  The one bright spot I can think of to being home is that the sheets are not damp from humidity...so I got that going for me, which is nice.

As you have probably gathered it was a fabulous vacation!  Due to some technical difficulties (or I have been too lazy) I do not yet have pictures for you, but I promise I will very soon.

In the meantime, I am going to have a little fun with something Lynette posted a week or so ago, and invited anyone and everyone to join in.  So, I am joining.

Here is her question.  "Have you ever really thought about the way you do certain things and wonder if other people do them the same way as you, or am I just a freak?

Don't answer that. 

I came up with a list of things that I am curious about and listed my answers, but I would love for you to chime in and let me know what your replies would be. Either list it in the comment section or make a post of your own and link back to me."

Please feel free to play along too, either in my comment section or by doing your own post as Lynette suggest and linking to both of us.

1) How do you eat cottage cheese? Plain? Fruit? Ketchup? Sugar?  I have never heard of either ketchup or sugar with cottage cheese, but I normally like it with a little salt and pepper.  However, I also like it mixed with a little applesauce, and my grandfather taught me a creation that he called "barley dew" (no idea where the name comes from) which is cottage cheese on a saltine topped with a little jelly.  Yes, it sounds weird, but it is actually very good.


2) When you eat a banana do you completely peel it first or peel as you go? And do you eat it plain or with "toppings"?  I peel as I go, and I LOVE peanut butter on my bananas.


3) If you recycle (which you should!) do you rinse and flatten the containers? Rinse, yes...flatten, no.


4) When putting on socks, which foot do you start with?  I'm pretty sure, right, but I have never put much thought into it.


5) How do you take your coffee?  Summer = medium iced decaf with cream only from Dunkin' Donuts.  Winter = medium hot decaf with cream only from Dunkin' Donuts. 


6) Do you generally sleep on your side, back or stomach?  It varies among all three.


7) Are you offended when someone flashes their high beam headlights ("brights") at you or do you take it as a warning that there's a police officer ahead or that your "brights" are on?
"I like to think people have good intentions are are forewarning me of a speed trap, but then I remember hearing about an urban legend involving gang initiation, so I try not to flash anyone just to be on the safe side."  Ditto.

8) If you see any type of change, whether it be a penny or a nickel, do you pick it up? Yep, generally unless it looks really dirty.


9) When at a track, which way do you go, clockwise or counterclockwise? Why do some people go the opposite direction?  To answer this, I would actually have to spend time at a track right?


10) Before loading a dishwasher, do you first rinse and remove stuck on food? Yes!  I clean before the cleaning lady too.


11) When taking a shower do you wash your body, hair or face first or do you first shave?  Again, not something I have documented, but I would have to say...shampoo, conditioner and leave it in, body, shave, face, brush teeth, rinse conditioner.


12) What type of gum do you prefer? Spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon, of fruit flavored? Peppermint!  Cinnamon would be second, followed by spearmint.  Not a big sweet flavor or fruit flavor gal, and truth be told I really more of a mint person than a gum person.

Thar she blows...all the stuff you "needed" to know about me!  Be sure to check out A Day in the Life of the Ordinary for Lynette's answers, and either comment or post your answers...inquiring minds want to know!

The Other Day was a Very Important Day

To be more specific, the very important day was July 15, 2008. The reason for its importance can be found in the words to the following song:

Happy Anniversary to me, happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary dear SayAnything aka New Diva on the blooogg, happy anniversary to me!

Yep, I have had my little blog for a whole year...yeah me!  I will be celebrating this accomplishment, and also the milestone of my 250th post with a giveaway in the weeks to come.  I am not organized enough right at this very minute to roll it out just yet, but it will be something for which you can look forward.

Today, I will be celebrating by giving you the links to a few of my first posts, since I think possibly 2 or 3 people may have seen them the first time.  Not that too many more will see them this time, but it will probably at least be a different 2 or 3.

The Conversation that Wasn't

Civil Servant

Civil Servant 2

Hallelujah...it's Gone

Today's Wisdom

Hope you enjoy this little stroll down memory lane!  I certainly have enjoyed the journey of the past year, and look forward to what this next year in blogging will bring!

God help me it's true, but if you tell him I gave him credit I will simply deny it!

  My husband has solved our laundry issue.  Really.  As I have mentioned on more than one occasion recently, my husband and I have gone through some drastic changes in our business life.  As a result, I have been spending a lot more time at the office, and he has been spending a lot more time at home.  At least for the moment, the tasks I need to accomplish are more effectively done at the actual office, and the tasks he needs to accomplish can be done from home.  We are looking into programs like gotomypc.com so that I will have a little more flexibility in my whereabouts.  If anyone has used any of the programs that allows you to access your office pc from your home pc and has a recommendation I would really appreciate it.  Anyway, back to the point, the laundry solution.

The kids used to do their chores in the afternoon upon getting home from school, but now that school is out they have been doing them in the morning before going out to play.  My husband recently added a new chore to their list.  Folding and putting away their own clean laundry.  We now each have our own laundry basket and as the clean clothes come out of the dryer they are separated by individual into said individual's basket.  The kids pick up their basket in the morning, fold the clothes, and put them away.  My husband and I fold our own baskets of clean clothes and put them away.  Voila, the great mountain of clean clothes, gone and put away.  We also make sure there is a load going at all times, so the great mountain of dirty clothes is kept at bay as well.

This solution may sound like a big fat duh, or very ho hum for those of you that have a handle on laundry.  However, for those of you that are looking for a handle on the laundry situation, I can assure you this has been a lifesaver.  Who knew my husband was a domestic genius?

Be sure to check out Rocks in my Dryer for more great tips.  After all, it is Works for Me Wednesday!

The Menu

Today is an historic Wednesday for me.  Why?  Wednesday is always "Works for Me Wednesday" over at Shannon's place, otherwise known as Rocks in my Dryer.  Most Wednesdays lots of bloggers get together and offer a little piece of advice that "works" for them, and that they hope will "work" for others as well.  Occasionally, it will be "backwards" day, meaning you can ask a question that you need help with rather than offering a piece of advice.  Usually, I only participate on "backwards" day, because Lord knows I need a lot of help, but usually can't think of a darn thing to offer as advice.  Today, however, I will make history because I do have a little tidbit to share that has made my life MUCH easier over the past few weeks.  As some of you may know, we have been going through lots of changes around here lately, and things have felt a little hectic at times.  Due to the craziness, it was becoming increasingly easy to think that ordering out was the solution to the question of "what's for dinner".  It was a trend I wasn't crazy about.  Here is how I fixed it.  We have a small white board on our refrigerator that was filled with miscellaneous dates, phone numbers, and old shopping lists.  I wiped that slate clean, and headed to the grocery store.  While at the store I purchased ingredients for seven or so different dinners.  Upon my arrival home, as I was unloading the groceries I created a "menu" on the newly cleaned white board.  I wrote down the seven choices for dinners and what would be served with the dinners.   I have done this for the last few weeks and it has been a true blessing.  Now in the evening all I have to do is tell my family to look at the board and choose the meal they would like to have.  I know I have all the ingredients at hand, and it makes the cooking process a breeze.  When the menu is getting low, I know it is time to go to the store to repeat the process.  It is one less thing to worry about each day.  Hope this helps someone out there, and for more great tips be sure to check out Rocks in My Dryer.  Now if I could just figure out a quick and easy take along lunch...

More About Me, Me, Me

Shannon at God Gave Me You tagged me for a MeMe.  I have decided to participate because she is a relatively new blogger, and she has a pretty amazing story with her preemie Tristan.  You should really pay her a visit.

I am supposed to share 7 things about me that you probably don't know already.  Here goes nothin'.

1.  I am a homebody, and when I get stressed this quality tends to become exaggerated.  If I am stressed I tend to go into hibernation mode.  I do enjoy time with my girls too, but more often than not, you will find me wanting to be home with my family.

2.  Lilacs are my favorite flower.  I love the way they smell, their blooms mean that Spring has sprung, and they remind me of home ( see #1).

3.  I am not a pop/soda drinker.  I never have been.  I have always enjoyed water, juice, or lemonade more. 

4.  Going along with number 3, I drink little to no caffeine.  It just doesn't agree with me.  I do however, drink decaf coffee every morning.

5.  I cut my the index finger on my left hand quite badly on Saturday night, rendering typing very difficult.  In fact, I am doing this entire post without using that finger at all.  Please excuse any typos.

6.  I would rather read a good book than watch TV.  I average about a book a week, and love bookstores and the library.

7.  When my husband and I go on a date night we usually end up talking about how great our kids are for the majority of the evening.

Need some blog fodder?  If so, tag you're it!

I Love Backwards Day

  Yes, campers it's Wednesday, which, of course, means Works for Me Wednesday with Shannon.  You may have noticed that I don't participate every Wednesday.  This is because normally, one must offer helpful advice on some topic, and normally I feel that I am fresh out of helpful advice.  Today, however, is different.  Today is "backwards" day, meaning I get to ask for helpful advice on something with which I am struggling.  Yahoo.  I always have questions I can ask! 

So, here is my question:  What's for lunch?  I am so tired of myself when it comes to lunch time and what we are going to eat.  Generally, my daughter and I have lunch together as she is still in pre-school and is home for lunch.  Occasionally, my husband is home for lunch with us as well.  I am looking for easy, nutritious, and not too tough on the waistband suggestions.

Also, what do you look for in a giveaway/contest?  My 200th post is coming up and I am looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous occasion.  Please keep it within reason (i.e.  I will probably not be giving away a car, a trip around the world, a second home, etc.) 

Thank you in advance for your wisdom, and if you are feeling particularly helpful today, click here to help more lost souls with their areas of concern.

Comments, They Do a Soul Good

Recently on a few of my favorite blogs I have noticed the request for readers to "de-lurk".  In other words, if you stop by and read anyway, why not clap a howdy on us while you're here.  Comments really are one of the most wonderful and gratifying parts to blogging.  It is like getting a visit from a friend.  So I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you that have made the decision to "de-lurk" and become a part of my life.  You are very appreciated and you gave me lots of smiles during the chaos of last week.

Tired Mama had this to say:

"Wimp.  Just kidding.  Just remember everything looks rosier with a glass of Merlot!

Good luck getting it all done."

This comment gave me a smile just when I needed one most, and she is right, Saturday night had a nice rosy glow!

Chased by Children who also happens to be my friend and neighbor Jenny from Chicago echoed Leanne in the area of me being a wimp, but she also boosted my ego too.  She is good at that, but she is also good at taking me down a peg when the situation calls for it! ;)

"Leanne stole my answer...wimp.  I guess these people are impressed that you are having 35 over for dinner, when those of us that know you know that you do that REGULARLY and for far more people...(she should replace Martha as your hero TZ)"

  By the way, Jenny is holding 5 days of giveaways February 11-15, 2008.  Make sure you check it out!  Free stuff in the middle of winter.

Daddy Forever  writes a very funny, clever blog from the daddy's point of view.  I always get a kick out of what he has to say and I love his comments to me because they are so PRACTICAL just like you would expect a dad to be!  Like this comment in response to my post about our false carbon monoxide alarm.

"That's one of the reasons we have two mono detectors...we can compare false alarms.  The main reason is so we can have one upstairs where we sleep and the other one downstairs where the gas appliances are."

Of course there are many more wonderful friends that stop by regularly, my darling Chi Chi/Dragon Lady/Lady by the Creek who doesn't have a blog but should, Julianne, Keli, Beth, Ann(ie), Chili, and the list could go on.  Thanks for deciding to "de-lurk" you guys, you make my day!  If you are still lurking, go ahead and say "Hi", or better yet go to one of the above links and say "hi".  You will undoubtedly bring a smile to someone's face and I promise we don't bite!

Make sure you come by next Monday as I am participating in Shannon's Bloggy Giveaway Carnival and I   will be unveiling what I am giving away!

A San Francisco Treat?

  It's Wednesday, so that must mean that Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer is hosting "Works for Me Wednesday."  Today, however, is a little different.  It is "backwards" day, meaning, you get to ask a question instead of offer advice.  Perfect, since I feel like all I have are questions and not so very much advice to offer right this very moment.

As I mentioned the other day, my husband and I have a business event coming up on January 18 and 19.  It involves a dinner party on the 18th and a meeting on the 19th.  On the 19th some of the people in attendance will be earning some recognition for their achievements over the last month.  I am in charge of what each person will receive as their "award".  Each of the people receiving recognition are also in a contest to win a trip to San Francisco.  The name of the contest is "Seize the Bay".  Here is my  question.  Does anyone have a clever idea or two for a San Francisco themed gift?  I need six identical gifts in the $5-$10 range and two identical gifts in the $10-$15 range.  I really appreciate any ideas you might have!

Remember to check out Rocks in My Dryer for more fun questions and answers.  You can also help Shannon with her DVD dilemma!

Thanks again and have a great Wednesday!

Bloggy Tour of Homes

BooMama is hosting a "Christmas Tour of Homes".  It started yesterday and there are already over 300 homes on the tour, lots of fun decorations, recipes, and holiday ideas to be had, so be sure to check it out!

For a tour of our home and some fun holiday party pictures please click here and here.  I know many of you have already seen the pictures, but they are rather festive if I do say so myself.  Plus, how could I not participate in a tour of homes when I actually had a picture tour of my home this year.  That almost never happens!

Enjoy the beautiful pictures not only here, but at all the lovely homes on the tour as well!