Story of my life

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That Hubs - bad influence!

He started a conversation with me early this morning, while I was still in a semi-comatose state, asking if he should go out and get some breakfast for all of us to eat before church. I mumbled in approval. He returned a short time later with a box of Bojangles Cinnamon Sweet Biscuits. These deliciously sinful concoctions are based on a rich, buttery biscuit, which is then smothered in butter, cinnamon, and sweet icing. They are, as Two says, "mmmmm... nummy!" This pronouncement is typically accompanied by the clapping of buttery, sticky fingers and a big sticky smile. Big Girl was also articulate on the subject of breakfast: "Mmmm! Tanks, Daddy!"

So much for my healthy daily breakfast of Special K. It was a very sweet start to the day. Since I was already off the wagon, I tossed a couple of spoonfuls of cocoa mix in my coffee mug for a hot mocha treat.

Another reason to vote

You know, as if having a say in the future of the country isn't enough for you:

Glimpse of peace

After a long, trying day at home with the kids, I was rather frazzled and anxious. Two is in the midst of a particularly frustrating phase that involves challenging - nay, ignoring my authority. And Big Girl insists that she doesn't need naps anymore and yet becomes completely intolerable, short-fused, and whiny when I am unable to get her to take one. Hubs arrived home to find his daughter in time out and his son receiving a lecture on the wisdom of keeping one's hands out of a dirty diaper. Blech.

Starbucks had some sort of special today, whereby you received a stamp on your receipt for a purchase during the morning, which entitled you to buy a grande cold beverage in the afternoon for only $2. Hubs handed over his receipt and a few small bills and told me to go out and have a break. Sometimes he's a saint.

In a brief, relaxing respite, I acquired a grande mocha frappuccino with whipped cream on top (so indulgent), then visited the library to check out a couple of new books, and finally visited the grocery store. At my final stop, I found two fantastic deals that thrilled me, in a way that just confirmed to me that I am a big nerd who loves to find bargains: whole chickens, reduced as they neared their sell-by dates, which Hubs will smoke this weekend, plus some delicious Bertolli frozen meals on clearance. Sadly, the store probably won't carry that particular variety in the future, but for now, we have a nice stash of chicken with linguine and zucchini in a tomato sauce in the freezer, and several chickens and a couple of beef pot roasts as well. After I pick up my cheap Kellogg's cereal at Walgreens this week, I'll have a good stash for breakfast, too. Hubs is pleased with the meat stockpile. I just need some fresh fruits and vegetables for the kids and me, since we aren't as invested in the carnivore lifestyle that Hubs enjoys. I was only gone for about an hour, but it was fabulous.

This looks (deceptively?) easy - handmade coffee cozy

This flickr set is a tutorial on making a coffee cozy, and I really want to try making one now. I think these would be very cute Christmas gifts! I'll have to try them (you know, in all of my copious free time) and report back with results. This is an ideal combination of my favorite beverage and a crafty-creative procrastination project.

Mental Health Morning

The kids and I are taking a mental health morning. We've been so busy for the last couple of weeks, and we need it. Big Girl and Two are lolling on the sofa watching Noggin (Jack's Big Music Show is on now - love it!), and I am, obviously, on my laptop. Sitting in Hubs' recliner with a box fan aimed at myself. Drinking coffee, naturally.

My coffee obsession has insprired me to investigate more ways to incorporate coffee into my cooking and baking. I will report back on my results.

I'm also looking into options for a short weekend jaunt for next month. Hubs and I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary in July, and he suggested that we pawn off the kids on my parents and take a trip one weekend. I honestly can't remember the last time we had time together without the kids, or the last time we took a vacation. He suggested a trip back to Virginia, to stay at a lodge near the place where he proposed, and while I love the idea, I think it may be a bit too far for a weekend trip, given the time and amount of gas necessary to get there. He begrudgingly agrees (why do I have to be the sensible one?), so we're looking at options closer to home. I've found a few bed and breakfast places that are possibilities, plus a resort place that has a spa (oh, how I love the prospect of a massage - and Hubs would enjoy it, too). So now I just need Hubs to firm up the date, and we'll make some plans.

Big Girl and Two wore their new "Thing 1" and "Thing 2" shirts yesterday to our family reunion. My aunt and uncle brought the shirts back from Universal Studios on their recent trip to Florida, and the kids look adorable. At first, Big Girl was confused by the "1" because, she insisted, she is four. But I think I finally got her to understand that she had a "1" because she was born first, and she's older than her bro.

WWE has nothing on these kids. I don't know what has gotten into them, but they are wrestling and climbing all over each other. Two keeps bodyslamming Big Girl. I guess I should break this up before someone gets hurt.