I was just getting out my ingredients to make pecan pie and I knew I had a bunch of Karo syrup. It's one of those items like vanilla extract or lemon juice that you're never sure if you have enough so you buy another bottle. And you never really think any of those things expire. Well, I found four bottles of Karo syrup so I thought I was golden. Then I checked the expiration date...
My first clue should have been that the bottle was from Harris Teeter, which is nowhere to be found in the state of Florida so it had to have been from North Carolina. (We've been in Florida 2 1/2 years now). Upon further inspection I saw that the expiration date was October 31, 2000! Yes, that's not a typo. 2000. What happened in the year 2000? Ian and I got married, we moved into our first apartment, I probably made my first pecan pie. Seriously, that bottle has seen some highway. It's taken up residence with us in four different houses. Awesome.
I thought about framing it in a shadow box or something to remind us of the sweetness of our young love in 2000. No, I didn't think that at all. I just laughed and knew I needed to call my mom because that's something that would happen to her too (sorry mom, but we know it's true).
The moral of the story is, when in doubt just go ahead and buy a fresh bottle of syrup/vanilla/lemon juice...or don't and take a trip down memory lane with your expired bottles of goodies.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Classic
So it's Thanksgiving tomorrow and in true holiday form my kids are sick. I am pretty sure that for the first two years of Maggie's life she had an ear infection on every major holiday, including both of her birthdays. I need to keep that in mind because as Ian and I remember it she was never as sick or as irritable as the twins. Pretty sure she was just as sick and just as irritable but she was just one miserable child and not two at the same time.
Tori has RSV and a double ear infection. She's also acting like she's getting more teeth. If I were to swear then I would swear to goodness that I am going to lose it if these kids don't get all their teeth...and quick. Zoe has ear infections too and a bad cough. Soooo....I am giving them breathing treatments three times a day (which is really 6 times a day) and that is just not fun. Not just because they try to swat away or bite the inhaler for five straight minutes, but because they literally cry non-stop all day long...and most of the night.
Since Sandy's been here I feel like I've been validated in all my feelings and frustrations (as well as the joys too, but I'm not thinking joyful thoughts right now). She has said a number of times that before when I told her we had a hard day she would believe me, but now that she sees it firsthand she realizes that I speak the truth. It's just been straight up terrible for the past few days. Really the past week - they got flu shots and immunizations last Wednesday and ever since then they have been sick. Ugh.
To top it all off we are supposed to be in Orlando this weekend for Thanksgiving/Christmas with my side of the family. I have been so excited about it and I was so so mad yesterday thinking I may not be able to go. The doctor said today that he didn't think we should take the twins so I am trying to shift my expectations from a magical wish upon a star to just simply praying the girls will shut it!
I think we're going to work it out, though, so that Maggie and I can go while Ian and Sandy stay here. That would be so incredibly heavenly to me. I know that sounds awful, but I just want to get away! I told Ian I would send him on a trip to wherever he wanted to go by himself next weekend if he just let me go this time. We'll see how that flies.
This morning after an hour of crying I put the twins back in the bed (it was only 8:30 am) and I came out to the den. I said, "Maggie, what are we going to do with these crazy children today?", to which she instantly replied, "Well we could just go to the pool and drop them in the water."
Out of the mouths of babes.
p.s. I love the twins and I'm not going to go Susan Smith on them so don't worry.
Tori has RSV and a double ear infection. She's also acting like she's getting more teeth. If I were to swear then I would swear to goodness that I am going to lose it if these kids don't get all their teeth...and quick. Zoe has ear infections too and a bad cough. Soooo....I am giving them breathing treatments three times a day (which is really 6 times a day) and that is just not fun. Not just because they try to swat away or bite the inhaler for five straight minutes, but because they literally cry non-stop all day long...and most of the night.
Since Sandy's been here I feel like I've been validated in all my feelings and frustrations (as well as the joys too, but I'm not thinking joyful thoughts right now). She has said a number of times that before when I told her we had a hard day she would believe me, but now that she sees it firsthand she realizes that I speak the truth. It's just been straight up terrible for the past few days. Really the past week - they got flu shots and immunizations last Wednesday and ever since then they have been sick. Ugh.
To top it all off we are supposed to be in Orlando this weekend for Thanksgiving/Christmas with my side of the family. I have been so excited about it and I was so so mad yesterday thinking I may not be able to go. The doctor said today that he didn't think we should take the twins so I am trying to shift my expectations from a magical wish upon a star to just simply praying the girls will shut it!
I think we're going to work it out, though, so that Maggie and I can go while Ian and Sandy stay here. That would be so incredibly heavenly to me. I know that sounds awful, but I just want to get away! I told Ian I would send him on a trip to wherever he wanted to go by himself next weekend if he just let me go this time. We'll see how that flies.
This morning after an hour of crying I put the twins back in the bed (it was only 8:30 am) and I came out to the den. I said, "Maggie, what are we going to do with these crazy children today?", to which she instantly replied, "Well we could just go to the pool and drop them in the water."
Out of the mouths of babes.
p.s. I love the twins and I'm not going to go Susan Smith on them so don't worry.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Walking and Puking
Sorry, again, for not posting in a while. Our computer is still on the brink and I need to take it to get it fixed. I can get the screen to come on periodically and even then your guess is as good as mine on how long it stays on...two minutes max. So I've chosen not to blog on that computer because it would be too frustrating to have to keep starting over when the screen went out and decided to come back. "Take the computer to a fix it guy," you say, which seems a perfectly logical and reasonable thing to say. I can't decide, though, if the hassle of loading up the twins, packing snacks, juice, diapers, pacifiers, unloading them, loading them into the stroller (kicking and screaming) and leading them into the store for a fun filled time of computer talk with Circuit City guy is really worth getting the screen fixed. Plus, it's been a bit freeing this week not having a computer during the day. I actually sit down and read or do whatever I want during the twins' nap time and since my house is immaculate I don't have to feel guilty about it!
How's it going with Sandy, you ask? Well, for starters I called the lady who comes periodically to clean the house and told her I wouldn't need her until the beginning of the year when Sandy has her own place. Today Sandy clipped back the trees in our yard and weeded the flower beds all by herself. I went shopping with Tori. It was a dream! Well, at least until Tori had a coughing attack and threw up all over herself in Gymboree. So I used all my wipes to get her clean, stripped her down, and promptly walked us back to the sale rack to buy her a new outfit. That's one way to get new clothes. I think I'm going to start walking into J Crew and puking on myself just so I'll have to get a threads (did I just say threads? sorry).
OK, I'm falling asleep, but I couldn't let the day pass without blogging our exciting news. Tori took two steps this morning! It was so fun and great because we were all there to witness. I had Ian tape it and I'll try to post it soon.
My eyes are closing in on me. Gotta get some z's while I can since the twins both have fevers and bad coughs. Burn it flu shot!
How's it going with Sandy, you ask? Well, for starters I called the lady who comes periodically to clean the house and told her I wouldn't need her until the beginning of the year when Sandy has her own place. Today Sandy clipped back the trees in our yard and weeded the flower beds all by herself. I went shopping with Tori. It was a dream! Well, at least until Tori had a coughing attack and threw up all over herself in Gymboree. So I used all my wipes to get her clean, stripped her down, and promptly walked us back to the sale rack to buy her a new outfit. That's one way to get new clothes. I think I'm going to start walking into J Crew and puking on myself just so I'll have to get a threads (did I just say threads? sorry).
OK, I'm falling asleep, but I couldn't let the day pass without blogging our exciting news. Tori took two steps this morning! It was so fun and great because we were all there to witness. I had Ian tape it and I'll try to post it soon.
My eyes are closing in on me. Gotta get some z's while I can since the twins both have fevers and bad coughs. Burn it flu shot!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
What about if it's partially broke?
Our computer is working but the screen is dead. We have another monitor, but the problem is that we can't see the screen to see what's going on or how we should hook it up.
Long story short, I haven't had access to the computer this week so my blogging has been a little on the slack side. Things are going well, though. Sandy's been here for a week and I really think it's going great (of course, what am I going to say...she reads this thing religiously!). Seriously, it's going well and has been such a blessing to have her here. And not just for the obsessive cleaning and laundering she does, but also because I love the fact that the girls are getting to have her in their everyday lives. I was fortunate enough to live in the same town with my grandparents and it was such an important part of my childhood. Don't know how else to describe it except for "enriching". I am so thankful for their influence in my life.
On a sidenote, Maggie has been cracking me up lately. The other day she got out of the bath, came down the hall and said, "Well color me impressed...y'all already have the babies in their pajamas!". Really? Really?
Our computer is working but the screen is dead. We have another monitor, but the problem is that we can't see the screen to see what's going on or how we should hook it up.
Long story short, I haven't had access to the computer this week so my blogging has been a little on the slack side. Things are going well, though. Sandy's been here for a week and I really think it's going great (of course, what am I going to say...she reads this thing religiously!). Seriously, it's going well and has been such a blessing to have her here. And not just for the obsessive cleaning and laundering she does, but also because I love the fact that the girls are getting to have her in their everyday lives. I was fortunate enough to live in the same town with my grandparents and it was such an important part of my childhood. Don't know how else to describe it except for "enriching". I am so thankful for their influence in my life.
On a sidenote, Maggie has been cracking me up lately. The other day she got out of the bath, came down the hall and said, "Well color me impressed...y'all already have the babies in their pajamas!". Really? Really?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Just a few observations from the day...
First observation: my kitchen is cleaner that it has ever been on a regular basis...all thanks to Sandy and the fact that she comes behind like my own personal dustbuster. And how sweet it is! I remember a day when it would bug me that she would clean up faster than I could dirty anything up...like I would get up from the table to answer the phone or something and by the time I got back my plate would already be washed clean and in the drying rack. Now I am anything but bugged. I am overjoyed. Like tonight I was bathing all the girls and came out of the bathroom to find the table wiped clean (trust me - I hate that job because of all of the smashed food residue after every meal), the floor picked up, the babies' room straight. All in a matter of a 10 minutes.
And I am dead serious that this just happened tonight: I walked into my room to go to bed and she was heading to the shower. I came back out to get on the computer...a mere 2 minutes later and all the pillows had been fluffed and straightened on the couch, the blankets folded, and not a trace of a utensil or dish anywhere to be seen in my kitchen. Amazing. Truly amazing. It is so unlike me and I love every minute of it.
She starts back to work tomorrow, which I'm sure she's excited to do. Frankly I've been thinking of asking her if I could just go back to work and she could raise the kids! Just kidding...though if we were independently wealthy I would have her quit her job and continue her dustbusting until the end of time.
My second observation of the day is one that I've made before but never posted until now. I got to go to Publix by myself today (quite a delight...and that's not a joke) and I am always trying to find the fastest check out line so that I can, well, check out. I am there all the time so I know which cashiers are quick and which ones are like the Target lady on SNL. I know which baggers are slow and which ones will give me double paper bags. In the past I've always chosen the shortest line which inevitably seems to take the longest time. It's just a sort of an anti-gift I have. Anyway, I think I've finally figured out the secret to getting out of there quickly. Picture this: you're in line to check out and realize that you've chosen poorly so you begin to peruse the tops of the heads of the people in other lines, wondering if their carts are full, partially full, or pretty empty. You don't want to get out of your lane and check it out, though, because what if you're wrong and end up in an even longer line than the one in which you presently find yourself. Ready for the solution??? Search for the line with the most men in it. You know why? Because without fail, men have only a few items and the reason is that they work solely off of a LIST. That's right, people. Just take notice the next time you're checking out. Men are always in the express lane because they NEVER have more than ten items. And if they're in another lane then that just means they have eleven items. They go into the store, they get whatever they need to make it through the rest of that day, and they're outta there...instead of what women buy which is whole milk for the babies, 1% for the rest of the family, rice krispy treat makings for her daughter's class, bag salad, snack packs for lunch boxes, a card for your great great aunt's birthday, enough food to feed a family for an entire week, and every possible BOGO item offered. Men just go in there and get it done. Women go in there and just get everything. Why? Because one of two things happens to women in a grocery store:
1. She is in there with her children and she just throws things into her cart that she thinks they need while her kids fuss, fight, pull over displays, crumble cookies, etc. Her brain is mush so she just grabs everything in stead of discriminating.
2. She has come to the store by herself and is so excited about it that she slowly and deliberately travels every aisle, taking time to get what she needs, as well as looking around at what the store has to offer. "I never knew they carried four different sizes of pooper scoopers!". Amazing.
So bottom line of today is that I am thankful Sandy is here. It has given me time to be woman number two above and leisurely peruse the carefully stocked shelves of my local Publix, all the while knowing that when I get home the kids will be alive and well and, most importantly, I can see actual countertop space in my kitchen.
And I am dead serious that this just happened tonight: I walked into my room to go to bed and she was heading to the shower. I came back out to get on the computer...a mere 2 minutes later and all the pillows had been fluffed and straightened on the couch, the blankets folded, and not a trace of a utensil or dish anywhere to be seen in my kitchen. Amazing. Truly amazing. It is so unlike me and I love every minute of it.
She starts back to work tomorrow, which I'm sure she's excited to do. Frankly I've been thinking of asking her if I could just go back to work and she could raise the kids! Just kidding...though if we were independently wealthy I would have her quit her job and continue her dustbusting until the end of time.
My second observation of the day is one that I've made before but never posted until now. I got to go to Publix by myself today (quite a delight...and that's not a joke) and I am always trying to find the fastest check out line so that I can, well, check out. I am there all the time so I know which cashiers are quick and which ones are like the Target lady on SNL. I know which baggers are slow and which ones will give me double paper bags. In the past I've always chosen the shortest line which inevitably seems to take the longest time. It's just a sort of an anti-gift I have. Anyway, I think I've finally figured out the secret to getting out of there quickly. Picture this: you're in line to check out and realize that you've chosen poorly so you begin to peruse the tops of the heads of the people in other lines, wondering if their carts are full, partially full, or pretty empty. You don't want to get out of your lane and check it out, though, because what if you're wrong and end up in an even longer line than the one in which you presently find yourself. Ready for the solution??? Search for the line with the most men in it. You know why? Because without fail, men have only a few items and the reason is that they work solely off of a LIST. That's right, people. Just take notice the next time you're checking out. Men are always in the express lane because they NEVER have more than ten items. And if they're in another lane then that just means they have eleven items. They go into the store, they get whatever they need to make it through the rest of that day, and they're outta there...instead of what women buy which is whole milk for the babies, 1% for the rest of the family, rice krispy treat makings for her daughter's class, bag salad, snack packs for lunch boxes, a card for your great great aunt's birthday, enough food to feed a family for an entire week, and every possible BOGO item offered. Men just go in there and get it done. Women go in there and just get everything. Why? Because one of two things happens to women in a grocery store:
1. She is in there with her children and she just throws things into her cart that she thinks they need while her kids fuss, fight, pull over displays, crumble cookies, etc. Her brain is mush so she just grabs everything in stead of discriminating.
2. She has come to the store by herself and is so excited about it that she slowly and deliberately travels every aisle, taking time to get what she needs, as well as looking around at what the store has to offer. "I never knew they carried four different sizes of pooper scoopers!". Amazing.
So bottom line of today is that I am thankful Sandy is here. It has given me time to be woman number two above and leisurely peruse the carefully stocked shelves of my local Publix, all the while knowing that when I get home the kids will be alive and well and, most importantly, I can see actual countertop space in my kitchen.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween
Last night was so fun! We had some friends drop by, then sat outside in the driveway and ate dinner, drank wine and gave out candy. Two of us would take the kids trick or treating while the other two relaxed. I am so thankful to be in a house in a great neighborhood. I truly am grateful. Here are some pics. The twins dressed up but only went to one house and only ate candy while it was still in the wrapper! Hey, they never knew the difference.
More to post about tomorrow because my sweet mother-in-law is here! Living with us! The girls are beside themselves about Nonnie and about her cat, Lucy. But for now, here are our little ballerinas and our witch!
By the way, I am pretty sure I broke my toe yesterday. Awesome. At least it won't affect my cooking or diaper changing...then we'd be in real trouble!
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