Monday, June 24, 2013

Atrazine

Today is Rhiannon's last day of 7th grade.
Tomorrow I have to take her to her fathers house for the summer. 
I think that sucks on every single level. 
I want her to stay with me.
Here is her first day and last day of school picture.  She has grown so much!  I think that sucks too, but in a good way.  I can not believe She is going to be in 8th grade next year! 
Jeebus! 
Please slow down, time!
A fellow blogger in the Chicago area that I follow has had a bit of bad news lately.  She found out one of the twins she is carrying had an omphalocele, which is in the same genre as gastroschisis - which is what Clara had. 
Her case is more severe then what we had and unfortunately she has lost one of her twins.  We got to talking and I had brought to her attention the herbicide Atrazine, which is used heavily in the Midwest and is known to cause both of these terrible birth defects.  It is also banned everywhere except in the good old US of A.  I know for a fact this is what caused Clara's problems.  She is quite sure this is what caused her to lose her baby, too.
This herbicide is not safe in any amount and it NEEDS to be banned.
Please help us by signing the petition. 
Remember, this defect is not prejudice.  It can affect you, your mother, your sister, your wife and your daughters. 
Nobody should have to go through what we did.
Nobody should lose their child before they have a chance to love them like my fellow blogger did.
Sign the petition here.
Read Clara's story here.
Learn more about her story here.
Happy Monday!


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Dinosaur

Lately Clara has gone into the "Not sure if I should be a baby or a big kid" phase.

It's driving me crazy.

I am so envious of all these other mothers I see who have patience made of steel.  

That is a virtue that has most definitely escaped me.

The baby talking and the whining are like nails on a chalkboard.
(Bat.)  (Shit.)  (Crazy.)

So to combat it we have been going to the YMCA more, participating in classes more and visiting with friends more.



It's not curing it, but (maybe) definitely helping.


Does your child babytalk you to death?
How about cry and whine you to death?
How do YOU deal with it?

Have you found the magic secret for nipping it in the bud?

(If you say it's patience, I will scream.)


Do you want to know a dirty little secret?

(I like Kesha.)  

She's raunchy and trashy and completely inappropriate 
and that is why I like her.

Her song Dinosaur could be my best friend and I's anthem from when we were just wee one's in our late teens and early twenty's and being pursued by nothing but dirty old men. 

So, this Wednesday, you get Kesha.
And it is totally dedicated to my friend, Julie Lyn.


Kesha - Dinosaur (New Song) by Henrietta-Aime-Fumer_Tv

Happy Humpday!


Monday, June 17, 2013

gazpacho

The internet has been out for a week AND my computer isn't holding charge for some reason.
(Uncle Chuck, HELP!)
So I have been a bit quiet over here.
Sorry.
Take this awesome recipe as an apology.
Crystal's Gazpacho
  • 6 tomatoes
  • 1 cucumber (peeled)
  • 1 large red onion
  • 2 green peppers
  • 3 green onions
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • parsley and cilantro to taste (I use a handful each)
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  1. You are supposed to peel the tomatoes, but I never have and I think it is delicious.  However if you don't like the tomato skin you can easily peel them by boiling a pot of water, drop the tomatoes in for about a minute, then immediately submerge them into an ice bath.  The skins should slip off very easy after that.
  2. Put all of your vegetables into a food processor.  Blend to your desired consistency.  (We like to keep it a little chunky.  Also, I like to blend each item seperatly and then mix them together in a seperate bowl.  This way I can control how smooth each ingreedient is.)
  3. Add your red wine vinegar and mix well.  Then add your olive oil SLOWLY and make sure you mix it in well!
Happy Monday!

Monday, June 3, 2013

No Love....No Love At All.......

Today Clara has called me and/or said to me:

Mama you're....

  • A Jerk.
  • The worst ever.
  • You aren't stupid Mommy, No. 
But I'm not sure if she was being serious or not.
  • And then she flipped me off while saying, "Look, Mom!  I found my pinkie!"
It's been a fun day, to say the least.....


Happy Monday!