Reflections and Resolutions

At this time of year, every New year, I take a moment to reflect and think...what the heck? Where did the time go? It really seems as though it was just a few months ago that it was January 2008 and now 2009 is upon us. 2008 was a big year for some very happy reasons and some sad ones. But the time in between those big events...where did it go? I'm not sure.

I don't feel like I spent enough time being productive. That means that, every year while I think "where the heck did the time go", I also impose upon myself many resolutions to make myself do "more". I almost always give up on these resolutions after about a week (on a good year). I've decided to keep it simple this year after reading some other lists. Attainable things. Things that I won't obsess over doing for the first week of the year and then do begrudingly until I can no longer stomach the thought of doing it another day. In no particular order my flexible (yeah, I'm making them editable this year) resolutions are, in no particular order:

1. Make more money. Very doable.
2. Keep home more organized.
3. Cook more and eat out less.
4. Read more
5. Spend more time with friends and family.

Just five things. Surely I can manage 5 things. Do you have any resolutions?

Reflections and Resolutions

Potato Salad Snafu

Image via WikipediaLast night, I decided to make potato salad for my husband because it's one of his favorite foods. Easy enough right? You'd think so. By the time I finished, I looked at it and thought "it doesn't look quite right." I couldn't pinpoint why, though. So, I walked away from it to read for a while. I walked back through the kitchen, peeked at it and thought "what in the world is missing?" Hmm. Still nothing. After a few more passes through the kitchen, I finally figured out what it was. I'll give you some guesses. Did I leave out:

a. the potatoes
b. the eggs
c. the onions
d. the pickles

It was...
drumroll please....

The eggs. Yeah I know that you can make some kinds of potato salad without them, but not the kind he likes. Oh, and sorry to those who thought I was ditsy enough to leave out the potatoes. I'm not. Not this time, at least. I realized the eggs were missing about 30 minutes before he got home, so I boiled them quickly and added it to the potato salad and he never would have noticed except...I started giggling when he took a bite. And I fessed up. I don't know why I do that; I just can't keep my stupid blunders a secret. Which reminds me, I'll have to tell you about the time I ruined a Digiornio pizza. Later.

Potato Salad Snafu

Valkyrie

Image via WikipediaWe were too late to see Marley and Me last night. I was in the mood to see something lighter like that but instead, we decided on Valkyrie since we both love history. While I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise, I think he did a great job in this film.

A word of warning, though, it's not the feel-good movie of the year or anything. We left thinking it was a good movie, but also feeling a bit down. I suppose that's the mark of a good movie, though, to make you feel something at least.

The movie was about German officers who plotted to kill Hitler. Valkyrie was Hitler's own plan to keep his government going by his followers should he die; this was manipulated and used against him in a plot by the German Resistance - they intended to set up a different form of government instead. I don't want to give away the plot if you don't know anything about it, but I recommend that you go see it. A lot of the critical reviews complain that the movie doesn't say anything of the motivations for the plot to kill Hitler - but unless you're extremely thick, you can definitely figure out the motivations. Maybe the critics think the rest of us are stupid. In any case - go see it - learn a little something - then come home and do some research on it (because you will want to, trust me).

Valkyrie

Cleaning - I'm Going to Do It - Next Year

I've taken a bit of FlyLady sprinkled in with some "I can't possibly be THAT organized" and came up with a plan for the new year to keep my house reasonably presentable. It won't always be sparkling clean but at least I won't have to keep a ladder in the house and make excuses that I'm remodeling when someone stops by that I'm not expecting (see the hilarious comment by Jem in my About Me section for that brilliant idea).

Here's what I'm gonna do:

1. Kitchen: To keep the kitchen manageable, we are going to load the dishes into the dishwasher as we use them rather than letting the sink fill up with dirty ones. I like to handwash dishes, personally, but I usually don't have the time and they end up in a huge pile. I'll also wipe down all the surfaces (quickly) and run the swiffer wet jet over the floor. I'm thinking this won't take more than 10 minutes, right?

2. Bathrooms: Ughhh how I hate cleaning the bathroom. But ala Flylady style, I'm going to do a quick swipe over the sink counters, and toilet surfaces and a quick swirl of the toilet. She suggests wiping down the shower while you're still in it (I think that's her...it's someone anyway) but I'm not gonna be cleaning the shower while I'm taking a shower - that's my ME time and I just wanna chill when I'm in the shower.

3. Everywhere else: I'm gonna set the timer (again Flylady style) and do 15 minutes of cleaning in each room - all out running around like a madwoman flinging things into the trash, organizing, picking up the clutter, etc. Or at least 5 minutes. Hm now that I think about it, 15 minutes sounds like an awfully long time - maybe I'll just build up to that. 5 minutes is good.

Oh yeah and the catlitter boxes...I'm going to make that the hubby's job from now on. I think that's more than fair.

As you might have guessed, I'm working on my resolutions list already. So far, reading more and this cleaning thing are the only things on it. Are you going to make and break any this year?

I might even start now. Today. Let's start cleaning!

Cleaning - I'm Going to Do It - Next Year

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. My family celebrates today and so does the hubby's (strange, I know). I'm not sure how my parents ever got away with the weirdness of Santa coming on the 23rd for us...and then us having to wait till Christmas Eve night to open our presents rather than during mornings like most of the kids we knew. We got our stockings Image by Sarah Parrott via Flickron Christmas morning though. Again, not sure why they worked it out this way but now it is what it is so I'll be schlepping around all day with a carload of presents, lots of oreo balls, and a huge smile plastered across my face. Happy Holidays!!!

Merry Christmas (Eve)

Oreo Balls

Image via Wikipedia

Oreo Balls

So there are these yummy little treats that I like to make especially around the holidays and they are called oreo balls or oreo truffles. Let's not fool ourselves, though, folks, these are crushed up oreos and cream cheese rolled into balls and dipped in chocolate - don't try to make them sound fancier than what they are. Anyway, I digress. The point is, these things are delicious and will instantly make you gain at least 5 pounds once you realize you can't stop eating them. So, I'll tell you how to make them so the rest of you can get fat along with me.

Ingredients
1 package of REGULAR oreos (do not get double stuffed, they are not better for this recipe)
1 8 oz package cream cheese
White Almond Bark (or some other white melting chocolate that you like)

Directions
PULVERIZE the entire package of oreos. Mix with softened cream cheese (the whole 8 oz package). Shape into small balls. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or freeze for 30 minutes, then dip in melted chocolate. Let dry on wax paper.

These are very very very yummy. Will also need to be refrigerated afterwards to store them since they contain cream cheese

Oreo Balls

Winner Cooking Disasters Contest

Image via WikipediaThe winner of the $25 gift certificate good at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, or Season's fresh grill is...

(drumroll please)....

Bella Valentina.

Congrats Bella Valentina; I'll be contacting you to find out where to send your gift card. :) Thanks to everyone who participated!

Winner Cooking Disasters Contest

Which of these 100 things have you done?

Image via WikipediaNote from me: I feel so small town after doing this. LOL I need to travel WAY more.

RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone 99. Been stung by a bee 100. Read an entire book in one day

Which of these 100 things have you done?

Comments are Closed on the Cooking Disasters Contest Post

The comments section is now closed on the cooking disasters comments section and any entries made after 11:55 pm EST Sunday the 21st were not eligible. Thanks to SO many of you who participated! I'll announce the winner Monday before 7 pm so please check back then. Again; thanks...and keep visiting!

Mucho hugs,

Comments are Closed on the Cooking Disasters Contest Post

The Hubby's Boss

Image by Stuck in Customs via FlickrThis is off topic but I'm very amused by my hubby's boss. Well, more appalled than amused, but let me get to the point. My hubby and another lady are both the supervisors over the rest of the employee's...but they have a supervisor as well, get it? So 2nd in the chain of command, I guess. Anyway, his boss mentions to him that he'd like a Christmas present. For real? Do people really ask for presents? But the hubby is kinda friends with him and this guy isn't known for his social graces anyway so I think, alright he's just confiding in him that he'd like a present. Weird, but ok.

He didn't stop there, though. He called the other supervisor and told HER that he wanted a gift, and a plaque specifically. Turns out he is trying to impress his new girlfriend by forcing his employees to present him with a plaque. That is some funny crap. Let's hope the boss doesn't get completely smashed like he did at last year's party though and then have to call up all his subordinates and apologize for making inappropriate remarks to them. Again. For the third time, actually.

What are you forcing your acquaintances and coworkers to buy you this holiday season?

The Hubby's Boss

Why is Your Wife So Lazy?

Wow I seem to be #3 in google for the question "Why is my housewife so lazy?" I don't know the answers you're looking for. Looks to me, though, that if you have time to do a google search on why your wife is so lazy, you could probably be helping her out with something to make her life a little easier.

Anyway, I call myself the "lazy housewife" because I suck at most things domestic and I don't really care. My husband doesn't care. If I cook dinner, fine, if I don't, ok. He's a big boy, he can fix something for himself (albeit, it will likely be a bowl of cereal). I am not lazy, though, in the technical term. I work 40+ hours a week and I help my hubby with the paperwork he brings home (also several hours a week). There are certain chores around the house he refuses to do and I have some that I don't like to do as well - so we share.

So to all you hubbies here looking for a reason as to why your wife is lazy - is she really? Does she run after the kids all day who leave trails of toys and mayhem all over the house? Does she try to clean only to have it back in its messy state 5 minutes later? Do you pick up after yourself or do you behave as a small helpless child and expect her to be your mother too? Just askin'. Help her out and maybe you'll both be happier.

Plus, you'll get laid. Bonus.

Why is Your Wife So Lazy?

I'm Seriously LMAO

I am really sitting here laughing over what google thinks are appropriate ads for my blogs. LOL So far, google seems to think that I have bad credit, need to consolidate my loans, need new credit cards, have dirty guy parts, and have excessive underarm odor.

I'm Seriously LMAO

The Cost of Procrastination

Once again, my bad habit of procrastination has came back to bite me in the ass. When we moved, I never deleted the old account numbers in our online billpay system with our bank. At first, it was to make those left over payments. You know what I mean, the prorated payments on your new place and what was left yet to play at your old place.

You would think that I'd have learned my lesson when, earlier in the year, I paid an old Chase Credit Card number instead of the new account (old one was closed ages before). I start getting calls and look up the number on the internet to find that it's Chase's customer service line. I called back thinking someone had stolen my card but instead I got the 3rd degree like I'm some loser who doesn't pay her bills. After about 5 days of phone calls and faxes to the bank, from the bank, to chase, from chase, etc, it was all finally sorted out. I deleted the old credit card number and was good to go.

I never got around to deleting other old accounts though...like the old electric bill account number, the old cable account number. So...today we get one of those ugly termination of service notices in the mail. Hubby wakes me up (after I've only been sleeping for 2 hours after staying up all night) ranting about me not paying the cable bill. After a long string of expletives, I jumped out of the bed to prove to him that I did, indeed, pay said bill. I logged on to the bank and said "Oh shit, I've paid the wrong account number." Again?! he says? Yes again now get off my back and call them to sort it out (I hate talking on the phone).

He calls and lets them know what happened and of course, they say "we can't find the money." Oh really? Well, SOMEONE there certainly "found" it because it was taken out of our bank account nearly 3 weeks ago so surely if it wasn't applied to some account, it would have been sent back. "Sorry sir, you'll have to call your bank to prove that you paid this." Phone calls all day back and forth to the bank and back and forth to Time Warner Cable (which sucks, by the way), they tell us we will have to wait till tomorrow to see if the money can be applied. If the money can't be applied they had darn well better send it back because they have it somewhere. Ugh. I know it's my fault but honestly, if you didn't fight tooth and nail with these people they'd be more than happy to keep your money and make you pay it all again.

In conclusion, I can now tell you what the price of procrastination is. It is $276.82 -for last month's bill including the pay-per-view fight, and the current bill that is now due. Now you know.

The Cost of Procrastination

Keanu Reeves - the Man of 1000 Faces

A few days ago, my hubby was taking one of the kids he works with to see the movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and asked me if I wanted to join them. I couldn't remember anything about the movie so our conversation went a little something like this:

Hubby: Want to go see it with us?
Me: Who's in it?
Hubby: Keanu Reeves
Me: Ugh, no thanks
Hubby: What do you have against Keanu Reeves? I thought chicks liked him.
Me: Yeah, but he only has one facial expression, it annoys me to watch.
Hubby: No he doesn't.
Me: Yeah, he really does. I'll show you...

So I proceed to google images and find these little gems. Here's a few of his expressions:

Happy

Sad
Pensive
Annoyed
Excited!!!!

And finally I'll leave one for you all to make guesses on. What sort of mood do you think he's in here?

Don't forget to enter the Cooking Disasters contest to enter the drawing for a $25 gift card good at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, or Season's Fresh Grill.

Keanu Reeves - the Man of 1000 Faces

Trying to Get Organized

To my subscribers (yay I have subscribers now!)...

My apologies for the "About me" and "Product Reviews" posts if you received those. I dated them for days ago in hopes that you wouldn't received them, but if you did, sorry. They weren't funny, just business folks. I'm trying to get a little more organized. My blog designer Cathy is going to put some buttons on top for "home", "about me", etc. so that you don't have to hit back if you click on the post titles.

Thanks for everyone who has submitted an entry (or two, three, four or five!) to my Cooking Disasters contest. You have till Sunday at 11:55 to enter and I'm getting a hoot out of reading all of YOUR disasters. I think I should show them to my hubby so that he doesn't think I'm more of a kitchen klutz than anyone else. No offense, ladies and gents!

Trying to Get Organized

Natural Deodorant = Supernatural Odor

Seriously, whoever (whomever?) decided that deodorant using all natural products was a good idea is seriously deluded. I’ll take some of the blame because I didn’t realize that I ordered deodorant and not anti-perspirant. The scent that arrived to me was called “pink cupcake” and actually smelled very nice.

Upon reading the label, I saw that it “allows you to sweat but masks the odor.” Totally gross but since I have no other kind on hand, I decide to give it a try - after all, I’m just staying home today anyway. About 7ish hours into my day I keep thinking, “Dear God what is that smell?” Well, my friends, that smell was me. And it was HORRIBLE. It smelled like a cupcake topped with sweat icing and that’s just what it felt like in my armpits too. Sticky, icky, and overall disgusting.

Needless to say as soon as I finished work (at home - the general public was spared), I jumped into the shower and scrubbed myself silly to get that stank off. Moral of the story kids - use your chemically enhanced, gland-clogging antiperspirant unless you want people to smell your pits from a mile away. For real.

Despite me just killing your appetite, don't forget to enter the Cooking Disasters Contest to win a $25 gift card to Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Season's Fresh Grill, or Bahama Breeze!

Natural Deodorant = Supernatural Odor

The Funny Thing is...

Don't forget to enter the contest to win a $25 gift card good at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, or Seasons Fresh Grill!

The funny thing is, despite my cooking blunders, I actually like to cook. I love it, actually. I have loads of cookbooks and love going through the recipes to decide which ones I'm going to try. Out of the hundreds that I bookmark, though, I usually try maybe...five. What I do best are baked goods - pies, cakes, cookies, candy - you name it. Obviously, though, man (and woman who's thighs are very unforgiving) can't live by sweets alone.

I remembered another bad blunder. My hubby likes his eggs over-easy. I can never get this quite right; probably because I personally find that disgusting. You people do realize that your egg isn't fully cooked when you do that, don't you? Bleck! Anyway, a few years ago when we were still just dating, I tried to make his eggs over-easy and they looked just right. They looked perfect. As I sat across from the hubby, I saw him wrinkling his nose as he ate. I asked him what was wrong and, of course, he said that everything was fine. I asked him again and he finally admitted that the egg was too undone. The whitish part wasn't fully firm. I said the same thing to him - what does it matter? Your egg isn't "done" when it's cooked that way anyway! He tells me it's no big deal but he just likes the whites a little more done. I stomped over to him and stuck my finger in both of his eggs, popping the yolk, yanked his plate from him, and threw it all in the trash. What? No, I'm not a drama queen at all.

I guess I don't take criticism very well.

Remember to enter the contest in the post below.

The Funny Thing is...

Cooking Disasters - Contest Post

Make me feel better about myself and tell me that I'm not the only bad cook on the planet.

This past Thanksgiving, I was so excited to be trying a Paula Deen recipe from a cookbook that a friend of mine got me as a wedding gift. It wasn't for anything too complicated - it was for The Lady's Cheesy Mac. In the picture it looks so delicious and cheesy and creamy. I thought "how could I go wrong with Cheesy Mac?" Well, my friends, it can be done. Firstly, we were going to dinner at my sister-in-law's house and I thought that there would be a lot of people so I doubled the recipe. After popping it in the oven, I waited very impatiently so I could get the hubby to take a test bite before we took it over to his sister's.

45 minutes later, I pulled it out of the oven and it looked...strange. Well, looks can be deceiving, so I put some in a plate for the hubby and he tries it. He said "it's fine" which is code for "it sucks". I tried it myself and got so upset. It was so eggy. It was more like...a macaroni omelet than anything else. You could really taste the eggs.

I told the hubby that I was not taking the dish to his sister's but he insisted that we were because it was the only side dish we were supposed to make and how would it look if we didn't take it? He assured me that it was "fine". Reluctantly, we loaded it into the car and drove to her house. When we pulled into the driveway, I panicked. I begged not to have to take it inside. And then came the tears and me ranting about how embarrassed I would be to present eggy macaroni to his family when we just got married a month ago and I could just imagine the jokes that it would bring. My tears won out; he took pity on me and hid the dish in the car. We went macaroni-less and were all the better for it.

So, to enter the contest, tell me about one of your cooking disasters. Please. It can't be any worse than me messing up macaroni and cheese. The prize is a $25 gift card good at Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, or Seasons Fresh Grill. You get one entry for making a comment and can earn extra entries by doing the following tasks that I mentioned in the rules in the previous post.

Entry #1: Post a comment on the "Cooking Disasters Contest" post telling me about your worst cooking disaster.
Entry #2: Subscribe to So Not Domestic by Email or Subscribe to my Feed(to do this look in the top left corner) and let me know that you did.
Entry #3: Add me to your blogroll (let me know in the comments that you have done so and I'll add you to mine).
Entry #4 which will earn you 2 more entries: Make a post about my contest on your own blog (you can leave a link to the post in my comments or email me).

Comments are now closed; thanks to everyone who entered and congrats to the winner - Bella Valentina.

Cooking Disasters - Contest Post

Contest this Week - $25 gift card

I've decided to run a little contest this week for a $25 gift card that is good at the following restaurants: Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, or Seasons Fresh Grill. Please not that this is only ONE gift card but it can be used at any of those restaurants. The contest will end on Sunday, December 21st at 11:55 pm Eastern Standard Time. No entries posted after this time will be accepted.

You can have up to FIVE chances to enter.
Entry #1: Post a comment on the "Cooking Disasters Contest" post telling me about your worst cooking disaster.
Entry #2: Subscribe to So Not Domestic by Email or Subscribe to my Feed(to do this look in the top left corner) and let me know that you did.
Entry #3: Add me to your blogroll (let me know in the comments that you have done so).
Entry #4 which will earn you 2 more entries: Make a post about my contest on your own blog (you can leave a link to the post in my comments or email me).

After all the entries are collected, I will hold a random drawing on Monday, December 22 and will announce the winner by 7 pm EST that day.

Good luck!

Contest this Week - $25 gift card

Ahh Weekends & Jack Johnson

I would give up my husband for Jack Johnson (not really...I don't think, anyway). God, he's sexy but not really. Know what I mean? It is his talent that makes him sexy though; I love his voice, it's so soothing. You know, if I wasn't so smitten with him. If he'd sing to me, I'd be the crazy lady who throws her panties to him and that just seems inappropriate to do during a song called "Banana Pancakes". So does me running on stage and declaring that I want to have 1,000 of his babies. I love almost all of his songs but this one is my favorite. We even played it at our wedding reception. I wish my husband would sing it to me but he has the musical talent of a tone deaf two year old so maybe it's best that he didn't. Listen to it if you have never heard it. It's so darn cute.

Ahh Weekends & Jack Johnson

Letter to Santa

You also must read my friend Tammy's Letter to Santa over at Mandatory Blog Here. She's hilarious!

Letter to Santa

100 Facts About Me

Since many blogs I have dropped or came across the last couple of days have a "100 Facts about Me" post...well...I simply must have one too.

1. I have a degree in biology but my passion is history.
2. I collect - no hoard - ink pens. I can never have enough.
3. I'm afraid of ladders.
4. I fall up steps and stairs much more often than I fall down them.
5. Obviously, I am very clumsy.
6. I lose interest in things very quickly, resulting in many unfinished projects.
7. I am married to my high school sweetheart.
8. I dated my high school sweetheart for nearly 12 years before we got married.
9. Secretly, I thought we would never get married. I'm glad we did, though.
10. I never wear my hair up. I do different variations of it being down, but never, ever up.
11. I am obsessed with bags, purses, etc. I want new ones almost as often as I want new pens.
12. I could count to 10 in three languages by the time I was five.
13. Sadly, after getting A's in several college language courses, I can still only remember how to count to 10 in said languages.
14. I love gagdgets (computers, cell phones, mp3 players).
15. My laptop is pink.
16. Pink is my favorite color. I used to hate it for years and then, when I was around 20, I started finding it oddly appealing.
17. My favorite flowers are yellow roses.
18. In high school, a guy sent me yellow roses and a love note written in French.
19. I cannot stand to look at people's feet, even my own. I think feet are innately disgusting.
20. I hate my fingers. I've inherited "sausage-like" fingers that everyone in my dad's family has.
21. I swallow gum when I chew it.
22. My least favorite chore is vacuuming. The hubby does it for me.
23. My husband does more housework than I do, but I work more hours.
24. My favorite season is fall and winter is nearly a tie.
25. When decorating for Christmas, I use snowmen, primarily. I love snowmen.
26. My favorite Christmas song is "Where are you, Christmas?"
27. I think that 80s music is an abomination.
28. I can rock out tunes on my clarinet (former band geek).
29. I think I've lost a very expensive bracelet that my now hubby, then fiance, bought me a few years ago but I will never admit to it (to him).
30. My feet are always cold.
31. I think it's obnoxious that people say "I'm not a cat person" when they see we have cats. We may not be baby people, but we don't request that they be locked away during our visit.
32. When I'm sitting, I always want a pillow to hug or a laptop on my lap.
33. My brothers and I used to make snow slushies as kids from flavored soda and snow.
34. My family was very poor when I was a child.
35. My parents still are.
36. I sometimes think they resent me because I'm not.
37. I just had some numbers mixed up in this list and had to go back to change them (I was repeating the 20s twice).
38. I really enjoy looking at photos when I'm at other people's houses.
39. I do look in other people's medicine cabinets. Just curious.
40. I was valedictorian in high school.
41. I received excellent marks in college without really trying.
42. I feel like I've gotten dumber since then.
43. My favorite book is Little Women.
44. I have a mad crush on Jon Stewart.
45. I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi.
46. My grandfather, Jessie, was my favorite person and still is.
47. My grandmother used to flip off my mom (her daughter) behind her back.
48. All of my grandparents are now dead and I miss them.
49. My proudest moment was showing my parents that my brains would get me a full ride to college.
50. My most joyous moment was my wedding day when the preacher announced "Now I present to you Mr. & Mrs..."
51. I still haven't gotten around to changing my last name, though.
52. The saddest moment of my life was just three months before my wedding - the death of my oldest brother.
53. I am the black sheep of my family even though I'm the one who got good grades and never got into any trouble.
54. I pretend that I don't care about how they treat me sometimes, but I do.
55. I am closer to my husband's family than my own.
56. Despite the familial problems, I'm happier than I ever thought I would be.
57. My favorite ice cream is Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey.
58. I wish I could rescue all the stray animals that I see.
59. I loathe irresponsible pet owners.
60. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters (some of them are half siblings). I also have 2 step-brothers and 2 step-sisters.
61. I was very bossy to my two younger brothers.
62. I don't like it when people sell themselves short.
63. The one thing that drives me crazy about my hubby is that he smacks his lips when he eats.
64. I want to learn web design but make excuses about "not being able to find the time."
65. I dream of one day being an awesome cook - sorta like Paula Dean but, you know, younger. And without so much butter.
66. I don't like wearing heels.
67. At my wedding, I took my heels off right after the ceremony (my pictures were all taken barefoot). Thankfully, you can't see my feet in the pics (see above about finding feet disgusting).
68. We have a fireplace in our house that we have never used.
69. I love my job.
70. My favorite actress is Meg Ryan though I wish she hadn't ruined her lips.
71. My favorite movie of all time is You've Got Mail. I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.
72. I sing soprano.
73. I love clocks and watches.
74. I enjoy reading cookbooks.
75. My favorite sound in the whole world is rain on a tin roof.
76. People never think that I'm from where I am because I taught myself not to have the Appalachian drawl from a very young age.
77. I personally find the drawl appealing in everyone else; I love accents of all kinds.
78. I only get about 3 or 4 hours of sleep on most nights.
79. Sometimes I go through periods of days where I don't sleep at all because I can't seem to turn my mind "off" enough to fall asleep.
80. I don't believe in love at first sight but I do believe in soul mates (though I think you can have more than one).
81. I like almost all things cinnamon scented or flavored.
82. I am too short to reach anything above the first shelf in the cabinets in our kitchen.
83. I like listening to my husband snore.
84. The TV is on in our house nearly all day and I hardly ever know what's on it. I don't watch it much.
85. Online shopping is almost an addiction.
86. I hate being in debt of any sort.
87. I cry when I'm angry.
88. My most embarrassing moment in school was when I was in preschool and I spilled juice all over my shirt and the teacher made me take off my shirt in front of the whole class to change into another one. I think a teacher would be in deep crap for that nowadays.
89. I want to visit all 50 states before I die and various countries and continents, too.
90. I think glasses are sexy even though I don't wear them.
91. I love the smell of paper and books.
92. I can spend hours in an office supply store.
93. I don't like to drive.
94. I have recurring dreams about finding an undiscovered room (or rooms) in our house that I have never seen before.
95. I don't believe in Karma.
96. I don't think that things happen for a reason, necessarily.
97. I really DO think I can do anything I put my mind to.
98. I would rather be freezing cold than too warm.
99. I am self employed and think that self employment taxes are absolutely ridiculous.
100. I don't like going to the hairdressers. Most women find it relaxing; it makes me anxious. I'm not gossipy and can never think of anything to talk about that she would be interested in.

100 Facts About Me

Journal Jar

Sometimes I can be crafty. The craftiness, however, comes not from my own creative abilities (I'm not crafty myself) but from the wonder that is the internet. I made one of these for myself and now, I'm making a few as Christmas gifts for my nieces, a friend, my mother, and my stepmother.



I am making the "Life History" journal jars found here. I've thought of variations on themes too so that you can give them as gifts for different occasions. You could easily do a Pregnancy Journal Jar, a Wedding Journal Jar, a High School Journal Jar, etc., a College Journal Jar...and so on.

What you do is write or type journal prompts (writing ideas) onto some pretty paper. Cut those into strips and place them inside a jar that you've decorated to your liking. Place these in a basket with a nice journal (you can get them very cheap on the bargain shelves in book stores), a pen, and even a CD if you want. It can be a very personal gift yet variable enough to gift to many different types of recipients.

Journal Jar

Christmas Cards

I've finished writing up all our Christmas cards and included wedding pics for everyone as well (we were married a little over a month ago). I even wrote our names and wedding dates on the backs of the pictures which, in my opinion, is above and beyond.

I love the holidays and I absolutely love sending and receiving Christmas cards. I wish people didn't just sign the inside of the cards and call it a day. Why can't we put a little more thought into what we write? Christmas is the one time of year you hear from relatives and friends you hardly ever see. Why not tell me what you've been up to for the last year. Like, you know, the baby you had? Yeah, tell me about her. You bought your first house? I'd love to hear about it! Surely "season's greetings" is not all that you have to say to me.

Is it just me? Maybe I expect too much. While I detest talking on the phone, I think that letter writing is a lost art. We lose so much with email, IM's, and text messaging. I like to see someone's thoughts, feelings, words...in their own handwriting. It's so much more personal. My Christmas wish is that snail mail makes a comeback.

Christmas Cards

Wanted: Non-shedding cat

Why, oh why, didn't I get one of those freaky hairless cats instead of the furballs that we own now. If we don't vacuum every day the cat hair will overtake us, I'm sure of it. We don't even dare wear black anymore unless we are putting it on and there's absolutely no chance that we will sit down. If we sit down, we have to change. No one told me this about cats.

I've had cats since I was a small child but they were all outdoors cats (read: Dad would kick them, literally, out of the house anytime they ran in). I got suckered into getting the first cat when a friend of mine that I worked with was getting rid of hers. I felt bad that he'd be leaving a nice lovely home to go to the pound so I talked my guy into the cat, we got him and it was love at first sight. Even though he was a total brat.

Cat #1 would knock things over, shred things with his teeth, and claw the doorways, walls, furniture, carpets, and anything else he could - this was just with his rear claws! His front ones had been removed before we got him. I decide that what he needs is another cat so he wouldn't be so lonely (or devilish). We adopted cat #2 from the shelter. She was the ugliest one there but needed love so I couldn't resist her ugly little mug. We brought her home and went through hundreds and hundreds in vet bills when she got sick and then made our first cat sick. Yay fun stuff.

In comes cat #3 who we were keeping as a favor to a family member. It was only supposed to be for a few months and now, nearly 3 years later, we still have him. He's the fluffiest of all and loves to pull his hair out with his teeth. Between the three of them, we could fashion a new cat out of the cat hair they leave behind every day. I would shave them all but that just seems cruel. So I guess I'll stick to the vacuum cleaner and sticky sheets till modern science comes up with a better solution.

Wanted: Non-shedding cat

Dishes

Here's a strange little tid-bit about myself. I love to do dishes. Not that I do them often - no, don't get me wrong. But when I take the notion to (ie, when hubby doesn't load the dishwasher), I find it very relaxing. It's one of the few chores that I do enjoy. I'd rather wash dishes anytime than load and unload a dishwasher. In fact, I've got a pile of them in the sink now. I just may do them before I go to bed.

Dishes

Never fuss with turkey again

How can someone go through all the muss and fuss of a whole bird when there are magical things such as this around? It comes frozen out of a box, already in a foil pan WITH the gravy. Just slap it into the oven and 2 hours later you've got yourself a turkey dinner. Hardly any work required.

I'm joking folks, it's nothing like the real thing. For some odd reason, though, my hubby likes the Jennie-O turkey loaves lol so I tolerate them. Just throw in some boxed stuffing, canned cranberry sauce, that campbell's green bean casserole...and you've got yourself a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Hehe. I'm such a good cook.

Never fuss with turkey again

Every Woman Has the Exact Love Life She Wants

Isn’t that true? I watched The Wedding Date and heard that line (yes, I know I’m a few years too late on that one) and thought it made sense. I know that some women would disagree but I think it’s completely true and here’s why.

I won’t lie, I am a drama loving gal sometimes. I know I start arguments for the sake of arguing and though that’s not the best way to be, for some reason when things get too good, I have to go and mess it up.

But…all in all, I have a good relationship with my man. We’ve been together for nearly 12 years now (dated most of them, married a few months) and he’s my best friend, lover, hero (yes I said it), and confidant all rolled into one. Don’t tell him I said this; he will get the big head. We definitely don’t have a perfect relationship; it’s hard at times. But we make it work.

There are women who are in relationships that are not good for them. I’m not saying that she consciously wants to be in said bad relationship per se BUT until she makes the decision to change her circumstances, her inaction shows that she is content with the situation for now. When she wants to - truly wants to - she will find a happier situation for herself.

This line also made me think about wanting to improve my own relationship. While it’s good for the most part, it could always be better. I could be a little more thoughtful, a little more understanding, and a heck of a lot nicer (ie, not letting my moods get the best of me). I’m going to give it a shot and I’ll report back on whether or not “wanting” and “trying” to make it better actually works. I bet it will.

Every Woman Has the Exact Love Life She Wants

This is ME

I'm in my late 20s living with my new hubby (though we dated for nearly 12 years before that and lived "in sin" for about half of them). I'm still trying to learn the fine arts of cooking, cleaning, and those general sorts of things that some women are so kindly blessed to innately know. To those women - I hate you. Not really, but it's completely and utterly unfair. The domestic gene just isn't in my DNA. I'm really going to have to try. And 50% of the time, trying is going to be more effort than I'm willing to exert. Yeah, I know, I'm that lazy.

I'm not the sort of woman that decorating comes easily to, I'm not very nurturing. I can't just whip something up in the kitchen. I'm the type of person who has to read and follow a recipe word for word or else I'll end up with a completely inedible mess on my hands.

To further illustrate my undomesticatedness (hmm I think I made up a word)...my house is a complete and total wreck right now. It was completely sparkling clean just 4 days ago. I've picked up since then. I don't know how that happens. I really need a maid. Since I can't afford one of those, I'll just have to suck it up and do it myself. Maybe I'll try flylady again (though she's completely annoying - NO ONE is really that organized). I'll keep telling myself that.

That's all for now. My house is a mess and I need sleep. Guess which is going to win out on this one.

This is ME

Product Reviews

Occasionally the Lazy Housewife may review products, sites, or services. Here are some reviews that I have done. If you are interested in having me review your product, site, publication, or service, contact me at lazyhousewife@sonotdomestic.com

Sony E-Reader Review

Product Reviews

About Lazy Housewife

Hi all; I am the "Lazy Housewife". I started this blog in December 2008 as a personal diary, of sorts, and to get my voice out there to connect with women who can relate (or at least laugh at) my neuroses. I have always had a passion for writing and only recently decided to pursue it through various media, this blog being one of them. I love to laugh at myself; I will share my stories about my domestic disasters and hopefully, there will be a few triumphs in there as well.

My passions are computers, writing, history, science, and my husband, son, German Shepherd and cats. I'm also an avid reader, movie watcher (thanks to my film buff hubby) and obsessive fan of (a few) tv shows.

If you have any questions for me, feel free to contact me at lazyhousewife@notdomestic.com

Thanks for reading!

About Lazy Housewife

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