Yelloh! And Goodbye!

If you haven't heard the news, my Schwan's man (aka my Yelloh man) will no longer be visiting.

Here's the news story (or one of them): Schwan's out of business 

So no more buying gallons of Peppermint Stick Ice Cream (pictured above) to get me through the winter. And how we love those Chicken Pot Pies (and I love those Nashville Hot Chicken Breasts) for easy meals. And how Carter loves those yummy Caramel Rolls for breakfast.

Does this mean I have to cook now? 

Or just find more microwaveable options to match my skill set in the kitchen? That sounds about right. 

As for ice cream, I do have a lot of sources for that. There was just something special about that delicious over-priced creamy frozen treat!

We can survive this, folks! Just keep praying for us undomestic goddesses! Thanks.

It's Our Day, Ladies

Did you know it's International Women's Day? There's so many made-up holidays these days, but I think this is legit since it's International and it's all over the internet. 

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year's theme is breaking the bias...

Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Very cool message. And it applies to so many levels. We're not just talking about women in the workplace or women of different races. 

Breaking the bias for me means... not accepting the old city council guys calling me "sweetheart" just because I was a young, female newspaper reporter... means dreaming bigger dreams than being a housewife just because my mother was... means recognizing and praising Mom for her courage to work outside the home for the first time in her late 40s... means just because I can't cook doesn't make me less of a wife or mother... means just because I am 50+ doesn't mean I can't bring fresh ideas or talent to the table... means I've earned every single wrinkle and scar – above and below the surface – and I should not be shamed.

Means we all deserve to love and be loved... and we deserve to love ourselves.

Because we're pretty darn amazing, aren't we? 

Shout out to the strong women in my life. From my mother and biological sisters to all you "sisters" out there who inspire me, love me, teach me, support me, listen to me and, my favorite, incircle me in your arms. Love you and thank you!

#BreakTheBias

Beautiful Intro to the Weekend

Right where our house is situated, it's hard to see sunrises (wouldn't necessarily be awake anyway) and sunsets. We've got trees to the east and trees plus houses to the west. So it's always a treat when I'm not at home and can see them!

Tonight was no exception. I had a DQ emergency and I timed it perfectly to see this gorgeous sunset. Yes I was driving and that's why I have one blurry shot to choose from. Still, you can see it was purdy pretty!

Between that and the 4-mile walk around the lake and the Thin Mint Blizzard, I closed out Friday and am ready for the weekend. 

And the most beautiful thing besides the sunset? No one. Single. Thing. On my agenda. Nothing. Zip. Zilch.

Check back tomorrow if I said, "Hello, spring cleaning" or "Hello, Netflix." I took a poll tonight and I NEED to watch both The Crown and Downton Abbey. So I'm halfway through season one of The Crown and will have all 6 seasons of Downton to watch. Then there's March Madness basketball and golf, too, this weekend.

Let's just pretend I had good intentions to clean. 

Have a good weekend!

Time Tracker

For some of you, this house arrest business is new and maybe even fun and exciting. For us veteran quaranteeners, it's getting old. It's getting crazy.

I've lost all concept of time and days and dates. It seriously was only two weeks ago when we were nervous about experiencing the time change, a full moon, and Friday the 13th all in the same week.

Only two weeks? Only two weeks. Seems like a lifetime ago.

I don't know how hubby keeps his wits about him working from home all the time. I thankfully am super busy "at" work so I don't have time for distractions like laundry and Days Of Our Lives (well, maybe). So many people are boasting about their great spring cleaning and decluttering projects and I'm like, wait, just because I'm home doesn't mean I have free time. I'm saving that hour per day of commute time, but that's about.

I'm sure you parents trying to home school your kids right now are feeling the same way. It's not relaxing for all of us in quarantine. And there isn't a bunch of time to get things done, just because we're home.

Well, I guess since the world is canceled, I do have all my evenings free now. So I could go to town on so many projects. But this is what I've learned...

Nope. Even several hours a day aren't going to change me. I shared this on Facebook and had to laugh at myself. I'm still lazy! Gah. Honestly, I really wanted to prove myself wrong.

But first... I finished a book... Ate supper...

Watched one of these... And now am going to watch the season finale of This is Us.

Then, I swear, I'll make good use of my time. Wait. Then I swear I will TRY to make good use of my time.

There's always tomorrow. And, based on predictions, plenty more tomorrows at home. Plenty of time, folks!

Seriously Sly

Since I had to sing in choir for church at 10:30 and hubby had a luncheon with some aunts and uncles up in Stratford, there was only one person left to watch the Vikings game with me.

Sylvester.

We don't see them much on our Wisconsin stations but since the Packers played Thursday night, we got the noon slot on Fox. I multi-tasked during the first terrible half, but then I could tell lonely kitty needed some lovin' so I sat in my recliner and we watched the sorry second half together.

After the first punt...

 "A punt again? Seriously. I can't bear to watch."

"Did the ball seriously just hit the upright?"

"Did he seriously just fumble on our last drive?"

You get the picture. Neither one of us were happy or impressed.

On a positive note, it was a glorious day to get a few walks in plus visits with neighbors, and even got some laundry out to dry. OK, no, I did not turn domestic. Washed rugs and hung them on the deck to dry. I remain an undomestic goddess who will never have a clothesline.

Or course, the way my Vikes played today, I may have spare time on Sundays for the after all.

Seriously.

Household Hacks from Hell-oise

When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. When life hands you aging bananas, you make banana bread.

– Robyn Rae Zing Hell-oise

I had to put myself under house arrest tonight and force myself to get some stuff done! All this running around is fun and all, but the house is collecting dirt and dust, projects aren't getting done and those over-ripe bananas aren't going to eat themselves.

When I realized this afternoon I had no concrete plans tonight, I figured I better not "create" any either. Put the camera down. Grab a dust rag and broom and go. 

Since hubby was going to be out of the house, I figured it was safe to bake. Yup. It's one of the hottest days of the summer but with the air-conditioning on, a hot oven is acceptable. For me anyway. I didn't want anyone else roasting. So it was good to have the kitchen to myself and my staff.

Typically, if I know I am going to bake banana bread after work, I will put out my butter to soften gradually during the day. Since this was a last-minute thought, I improvised...

Household Hack of the Day: Put the butter in a covered dish on your trunk lid. The stuffy, 1,300-degree garage air will soften it in no time!

Bam. Winning.

And it didn't taste like lawn mower gas or the grill or anything!

Bread turned out great. Got my "Saturday chores" done finally. Sorted through some pictures from Sunday for our friend Kat (and the band). Even registered for a 5K.

If anyone has a hack to get me in shape to actually run it in a month, let me know. We can play swapsies with our tips. Just because I am an undomestic goddess, doesn't mean I don't know a shortcut or two.

Hmmm.... shortcut. Now that could be an option for the 5K... hmmm...

Making Scents

If you would have asked me earlier today what one of the worst smells is, I would have said the paper mill.

Living in a paper mill town, you'd think I'd get used to that sulfuric acid odor, but I don't. We get spoiled living "out" of town and only smell it when we occasionally are down wind or something. Today, when we took a walk break at work, we were definitely in its path. Eww.

Of course, any mill worker (or their family members) will tell you "It's the smell of money." That may be true but I prefer my odorless cash and credit.

Tonight, though, I have the windows open not to let that smell in, but to let a different smell out.

I guess it takes an undomestic goddess like me to burn microwave popcorn. Not sure how I did it. But the evidence has lingered in the air a good hour.

The thing is, I am home alone since Jim is in Marshfield visiting his uncle and Carter is at a friend's. I was just trying to make a light, easy supper after my run. Even though I technically had popcorn for lunch today, too, I guess I forgot.

Just like I guess I forgot to keep an eye on the popcorn!

I had just opened the box. You can select the bag size on our microwave. So instead of 3.5 ounces, I chose 3 to be safe, and walked away. And let it burn. Well, it definitely is not a snack-size bag (1.75 ounces), but when I threw out the black hulls and tried again, I had to stop it almost a half minute early on that 3-ounce bag setting.

So there's your Consumer Report notice of the day. If you buy the Pop Weaver brand, keep an eye on it!

You know, I never have this problem when I have ice cream for supper. That doesn't smell. And it doesn't leave a trace of undomestic evidence. Guess I'll stick with that.

Makes scents to me.

Tax-ing Day

Although April 15 is typically called Tax Day, it is not a federal holiday or free day off of work. Unless you make it one.

I made a spur of the moment decision at the end of the work day yesterday that I would take today off. When I saw the forecast called for sunny skies and temps in the low 70s, it just sounded like a great day to have the windows open and get some spring cleaning done.

Gasp! I know... the undomestic goddess has a strange domestic side that sometimes crawls out from under the dust bunny.

So I slept in by Robyn standards and went to 9 a.m. kickboxing class. So nice compared to 5:40 a.m.! Came home and decided to wash windows first. Well, after a cup of coffee. I don't "do windows" very often so it was actually a mammoth project.

My tools of the trade were these three items from Norwex. No, I don't sell it. No, I am not having a party. I am just sharing the environmentally friendly and EASY way to clean windows. No smelly chemicals to ingest, just water. Simply wash with the green microfiber cloth and wipe dry with the special purple window cloth. Then, get the dusting glove wet and wipe across the screens. Easy, peasy and they're clean!

We have 6 windows in our bedroom alone. See the windows on the right, which are cleaned with my tools. The left are still dirty and dusty and not a completely clear picture.

Wa-laa! After water and my magic cloths, kitty has a clear view out her favorite window!

Since our windows can be "flipped" open to wash both sides from inside the house, I only had to wash a few windows from the outside. Inside I battled Asian beetles and outside it was the wasps making their spring appearance. (If anyone has tips on how to eradicate those beetles, please share!)

At least they gave Sylvester something to watch while I slaved away.

After 3 hours, 18 windows and screens were all cleaned, inside and out. It was about 2:30 p.m. before I finally took a shower. Jim had already left by then to go coach the baseball game up in Wausau. I knew I wasn't going to go because I had more to do and I can make their home game tomorrow.

When I sat down finally, after the shower, though, I was beat. I realized I'd been on my feet for hours! I had a hard time getting back up but I knew I better get more done if I took a day off to do it. So I got my dusting and sweeping and vacuuming done and some laundry. I actually hung up the clothes on the drying rack and carried it outside. Almost like a clothesline. And they dried quickly.

I know. This is sounding way too domestic to be me.

Took a walk later when my neighbor got home from work and pretty much called it quits after that. I do have a pair of Carter's pants to fix. Yes, it will require sewing. If I'm not careful, this undomestic goddess is going to the dark side!

I'll stop myself before that happens. It's been too TAXing of a day to make a habit of it.

Happy Tax Day!

Merry Memories

Merry Christmas!

When my oldest sister started posting nostalgic (that means I'm OLD) Christmas photos, I was immediately drawn back to childhood memories. And grateful to be making new ones with my own family.

Above, clockwise, it's me on the red stool, then RoAnn, Romey, Dad, Ron, Rachel, Renell, Raylene and Mom. My sister Rayna (the budding photographer) took the picture. Somehow all 8 of us fit around the table – with its lovely vinyl/plastic table cloth – and there was enough food for one and all!

Today, I barely made enough for the 5 of us! Well, I tried a new sausage-egg bake recipe. It turned out so good that maybe a 9x13 pan isn't big enough. (Again, I am obligated to document all domestic moments in the kitchen.) It was easy and tasty and something I will make again with some variation. And I had plenty of time to prepare it.

Jim went to 10:30 a.m. church and the boys got up after 11. So it really was closer to lunch than brunch. Then we opened presents and dug into our stockings.

Clay wanted money towards a PS4. I am still figuring out Nintendo 64 so I am a bit behind on the video game systems. But he was happy, so that's what counts.

Apparently Carter blew out his speakers in his car doors so Santa brought him new ones. Installation NOT included. We'll make a gearhead out of him yet. He also got some clothes and ... some clothes.

Dad and Casey are wondering whose gift will keep them warmer this winter – Jim's Carhartt bibs or Casey's plush robe? I will be happy to test-drive the robe, but not the bibs, since those must be accompanied by shoveling or snowblowing.

The shortest elf in the house got a gift certificate to pick out some new running shoes. That will be awesome – especially when I am fueled by eggnog and cookies. I'll be so fast ... until that sugar crash!

This afternoon, while the men were entertained by a John Wayne marathon on TV, I did actually get out for a little exercise. I had to. The temps were in the mild 30s and the sun shone on the Son's birthday! Hurray!

I even saw my shadow. That means 6 more weeks of Christmas! Fa-la-la-la...

Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

With more snow and a windchill advisory (again), you'd think March came in like a Lion. But I kind of think it was a Lamb, sporting extra-thick wool socks and an extra large fleece!

I was going to illustrate that with some graphic design today and ended up creating this...

You get the point.

I only ventured outside when I ran errands in town, getting groceries and stopping at the library to check out a new audio book. Both times I had to brush off my car when I got back outside -- not that I am a slow shopper or take too much time with my selections.

Oh wait, that IS me.

Got home and did my Saturday chores and then some. And by "then some," I mean while hubby was away at a hoops game with the neighbor, I did laundry, cleaned up 7 pairs of soccer and baseball cleats to sell and, get this, this undomestic goddess sewed buttons on two pair of hubby's pants AND darned two socks.

Darn!

Yes, I am that good. My reward was an hour to myself on the couch to start a new book, The Book Thief, and eat a tiny bit of Peppermint Stick ice cream. Yup, in the mother of all March surprises, I found one final container in the freezer in the garage.

So if you ask me, and you didn't, March is definitely coming in like a white fluffy snow lamb and minty-green grass!

Undomestic Goddess :: Part 312

And now, another episode of my life as an Undomestic Goddess...

Saw this illustration today and laughed right out loud at its truth. This applies to me 100 percent. I hate doing dishes!

I mean, really, I hate doing dishes.

I'd rather run a half marathon (ha) or give up ice cream (for a day at least, maybe a week) not to have to do dishes.

My early memories of doing dishes as a child then teen were not pleasant. First, as a child, I was one of 4 to 6 at home at the time -- eating meals and dirtying dishes. Plus all those pans to make the meals! Yuck. At that time, we did not have indoor plumbing so that added labor to the domestic chore that was already too laborious for me! I used to think -- and shame on me -- that Mom should be able to do them since she is home all day. Bad, bad thought.

As a teen, when there were 3 kids home, then 2, there still seemed like there were a ton of dishes to do. My mom was working part time then so we really needed to help out. The old "I'm all done and I'm just letting these pans soak" trick was all fine and good until we had to finish up before school in the morning.

Let me tell you this. There's nothing like waking up to the feeling of dipping your hands into a sink of now cold, somewhat slimy water. Yup. That'll make you a paper plate user the rest of your life!

It sort of did.

I rarely used "real" plates when I was single. And now, for the past dozen years at this house, I have been spoiled mercifully with a bonafide electric dishwasher. Ahhhhh.

So while I don't have to scrub too many dishes these days, the undomestic goddess in me still puts pans (and baking dishes) in the sink to "soak for awhile." Sometimes, I take the lazy Martha Stewart route (as hubby calls it) and wait for my "TV crew" to clean up after me. Other times, I'm a big girl, and rinse the pan out and put it in the dishwasher. All by myself.

At least I don't keep dirty dishes on the stove or hide them in the oven. When I was growing up, we'd try to do that, but then we'd open the oven and there'd be clean socks drying in there. Yup, there was a time I lived with no indoor plumbing and no clothes dryer.

I might as well rename this blog: My Life as a Hillbilly.

Home What?

Carter's cross country career may be in jeopardy before it even starts. And it's my fault.

I was glancing through his "Basics of Cross Country" training manual tonight and this sentence under the Nutrition category jumped out at me:

The proper approach to a training diet for cross country is balance and moderation. In general, mother's home cooking is the very best training table.

Mother's home what?

Oh boy. He's in trouble.

You know this undomestic goddess is not exactly heating things up in the home cooking category. Unless you count microwave heat. My version of "home" cooking means I open the box, bag or can at home. I briefly use the oven or stove in our home. Or I pick up the pizza or (insert fast food here) and take it to our home.

So this business of balancing carbs, proteins and fats is going to be quite the challenge. Especially when we've got a picky eater or two in the house. Chicken, fish, pork... veggies... Carter is not really a fan. If he could eat pizza for every meal, he would.

Then again, who wouldn't?

It seems this foreign fall sport may be impacting more than just our new high-schooler. Looking at the big picture, it can only be a good thing, right? All of us may be getting a little more active (you know the competitive side of me forced me to start running again) and eating more healthy. That's a win-win situation.

Except for the mother who has to learn to "home cook."...And the poor souls who have to eat it!

Bring on the training!

Treasure Hunt

Had a night off from baseball, which left me home for a change. I put some french fries in the oven and grilled up some burgers for supper. Not like we don't get enough burgers at the ballpark... but these are different. (I tell myself.)

After supper, I spent some time in the kitchen and you'll never guess what I found! The kitchen counter!

Uffda. Quite the treasure hunt to find that!

It has become quite the repository for bills, tourney schedules, birthday cards (hint, hint), newspapers and more bills. It's amazing what piles up after a few weeks of neglect. Don't worry, this undomestic goddess was not late on paying any bills and didn't miss any games!

It was nice to sift through and be done with it. The guys were off in the neighborhood getting into their own kinds of trouble. I didn't mind the quiet. In fact, it was good to have a nice conversation with God, who I was bugging mercilessly today, praying for my cousin's health and well-being.

Tonight I needed that time to thank Him. My cousin woke up today, recognized her family and has use of her extremities. So it may have been a mild stroke like my mom had a dozen years back. I think they have more testing to do. So I'll keep bugging God and thanking Him intermittently.

In the meantime, I should get some more things done. I have bathrooms to clean, pictures to upload and oh, wow, I better re-do these fingernails! Priorities!

Off to find the next treasure...

And We're Off...

My plan today was to take the day off so I could join hubby on his last day of vacation and, with any luck, do something fun together. You know what they say about the best-laid plans...

Ugh. Day did not turn out how I had planned, but in the end it was as good as I could have wanted.

First half of the day I honestly spent working, trying to solve a problem and complete a project via email... lots of email. Unfortunately, by noon, the only thing I had accomplished on my list of things to do was changing the calendar. And that wasn't even on my list. I just did it and said to Jim, "Now I can say I accomplished something."

Well he had a list, too. So while I finally went grocery shopping, he mowed the front yard. When I came home, he took off for Wisconsin Dells to pick up Carter so he'd back in time for his first tournament game. Meanwhile, I had to hem his new baseball pants -- by 6 1/2  inches -- in time for that first game, too. That was a challenge for this undomestic goddess. And while I measured and hemmed evenly, they are too short because he wore them low on the hips last night, which is not how you end up wearing them with a belt and your uniform top tucked in. Grr. So I am in desperate need of a seamstress this week to re-hem that, now another inch longer.

One of the positives today is that my friend Christine came over in the afternoon and we got a nice walk by the lake in -- plus some nice visiting. After she left, I sat out on the back deck and got some sun while launching into my new book.... you know the one I'm talking about. It arrived in my mailbox this week!

I only had a half hour to sun, then I had to get ready so Jim and Carter could pick me up on the way to Plover (about 15-20 minutes east of here). As a spectator, I have to say they have an awesome ballpark set up over there. Nice fields, seating and concessions. They even serve King Cone. Not kidding!

It turned out to be a great first game out of the gate for the 2012 summer baseball tournament season! We ended up winning 8-4 with Carter making the last catch in right field to end the game. Whew.

He played second base quite a bit and then 2 innings in right field. He had a good game defensively but struggled a bit on offense with two strikeouts and a pop-up out. Bummer. He felt pretty good after the game, though, knowing he got some great outs and that ultimately, we won.

Now we turn around and play at 9 a.m. -- with batting practice at 7 a.m.

Oh yes, summer ball is here and we're off and running!

Here's a Story...

For some reason, while flipping through channels, we stopped on the Brady Bunch the other day. Carter had never seen it and, naturally, since it was so hokey, he assumed it was from the '80s. (That's his dad's influence, not mine!)

I had to laugh -- and sort of groan -- at how they portrayed the women and their roles in the household. Here's a conversation that wouldn't fly in this house...

Mike (leaving with golf clubs in hand): Honey, have fun around the house today!
Carol (all smiles): I will! (Not sarcastically.) I'm going to start by cleaning the girls' room! (Still smiling.)

Yeah right. Not happening here.

I do like how Mr. Brady always had to teach a lesson. At least he took time to be a positive influence on their kids. Not all dads are like that.

I feel fortunate that Jim is a modern-day Mike Brady. Well, yes, he likes to golf. That's true. But he also takes time to help Carter with everything from baseball skills to homework and, in between, teaches the value of humor and charm. I think he's got that down!

I, on the other hand, am nothing like Carol or even Alice. I am an undomestic goddess to the core and some days am lucky to have patience and understanding for one child, let alone 6. But I guess I am a typical female in that a simple trip to the beauty parlor (when did that nomenclature die?) can make my day. I bonded with my "hair artist" first thing this morning and it put me in a good mood all day.

Well, not good enough to sing and make supper for the guys or anything silly like that.

That's not how the Austin Bunch rolls.

Iron Man

...This is the way we iron our clothes,
Iron our clothes, iron our clothes.
This is the way we iron our clothes,
So early Tuesday morning...

The women of my mother's generation were lucky enough to have a guidebook to good housekeeping.

A simple tune like The Mulberry Bush and they knew which days to wash, iron and mend their clothes. Then they had the luxury to sweep the floor on Thursday and not have to scrub it until Friday. On Saturday they'd bake the bread and on Sundays, I imagine they could break the bread -- at church.

Sounds like the good life, doesn't it?

I know it wasn't. Though I can tell you my mother took much of this to heart and I have vivid memories of her spending hours and hours at the ironing board!

Since we had a ringer washer and a clothesline out back, the dry clothes came in wrinkled -- even on days there was a brisk wind whipping things dry. So my mother, who for some reason could not abide wrinkles, would iron everything. And I mean everything. From our pretty floral dresses to the pink sheets on our beds. Yes, even the sheets! I am not sure about towels -- maybe just the thin dish towels.

I think she liked it.

Weird as it sounds, this undomestic goddess doesn't mind it either. I don't get many opportunities, though. We race down to the dryer when the buzzer goes off so I can snatch the clothes out of there before they get wrinkles. Then it's a nice fold or straight to the hanger. So I guess I try to avoid ironing if possible, but most times, I don't mind when I have to. It's sort of relaxing. You definitely have to pay attention and clear your mind of everything else so you don't scorch your delecates!

It can be stressful, though, when I am running behind in the morning and anything I might want to wear to work needs ironing. Or those days when someone else needs something ironed. And quickly.

This morning, Carter realized he left his Friday school clothes crammed into his gym bag because he changed into jeans after school at a friend's before they went to a movie. So he forgot all about them... until today.

He pulls out his khaki pants and fully expects to wear them -- even though they've been bunched up into a tiny ball for 50-some hours. I look at him and say, no, don't even think about. He goes to his room and comes out wearing a pair that almost look as bad as the first. "What? Did you put those on anyway?" No, he said, this was a different pair.

I look at him, look at the clock, see I'm running behind but think: Screw it, I've got to iron these pants!

Of course I plug in the iron and as I move it, it is leaking water everywhere. It probably spontaneously combusts from lack of use at some point. Anyway, I clean up the mess and try to iron as fast as possible so Carter can still make the bus and I can get ready for work. At that point, I did not even know what I was going to wear but hoped it did not need ironing!

I should have just let him go to school with wrinkled pants but somewhere in the back of my mind, my thoughts were echoing a previous generation that insisted wrinkled clothes would reflect badly on the wearer and his or her mother! So I just had to do it.

In hindsight, I should have told him he'd just have to wait until Tuesday. According to the musical mantra of motherhood, Monday is for washing the clothes only!

Eating Like Kings, Living Like a Queen

You know what's cool? Not only am I completely at ease being labeled an undomestic goddess, but my guys are, too.

I had to run a few errands in town after we all got home. When hubby asked if I was going to bring supper home, I said, "Sure, what do you want?" Instead of giving me a list of ingredients for some elaborate meal (and it doesn't take much for me to consider it elaborate), he said, "How about a 12-piece meal from KFC?"

I can do handle that. (I love that man!)

I'm not a fan of greasy fast food, but when I bring home KFC extra crispy, Carter and Daddy say they're "eating like kings." That's a direct quote. A reporter doesn't lie.

So I guess if they're eating like kings and the cat is a princess, then I must be the queen to fit into this royal family.

Does this mean I have to admit I'm spoiled some days? OK, most days? 'Cuz I am. I have a husband and son who love me, a job I enjoy, a hot tub at my stress-relieving disposal and, any minute now, the Schwan's man will be here.

Who wouldn't want to be queen for a day? (Or more...)

Undomestic Goddess :: Part 37

I remember one time watching someone struggle to write a paragraph promoting some event of theirs. I thought to myself -- not in a cocky way -- that a person is either a writer or they're not. They can't force it if the natural talent isn't there.

I'd have to say the same about culinary skills. Sure you can be schooled in both, but it's not quite the same as innate ability.

In so many ways, I have admitted to being an undomestic goddess. I guess I was hoping it was a temporary ailment. I thought perhaps now that I'm in my 40s, I'd suddenly develop this knack in the kitchen.

Still waiting.

I envy my mother (and many sisters and friends) who can just look in their cupboards, fridge and freezer, pull out a few items and TA-DA! Magically whip together dinner. I just can't "whip" things together. I have a few meals I know how to make, but the rest are tasty, costly, convenient concoctions (found in boxes or your freezer aisle).

I found something cool at the craft fair I went to on Saturday. It is a Magic Potato Bag! The creator, seller, marketer lady said a person can't go wrong with this. A person other than an undomestic goddess, that is. You just put your 3-4 medium potatoes (individually wrapped in dry paper towel) in the cloth bag and nuke for 8-10 minutes. I was mostly excited that I could by one with pretty purple Vikings material (only 100% cotton, said seller). I know hubby likes baked potatoes, so I figured it would be a treat for all.

I was all excited. I had the fixings on the table -- sour cream, shredded cheese, butter, bacon bits. I was ready to present "loaded potatoes."

So where did I go wrong? If I knew anything about anything, I would have realized my honkin' potatoes did not fall into the "medium" category. They were large and therefore, (in hind sight) Better Crocker logic tells me, take longer. Oh.

Well I did the "falling off the fork" check. (Yes, I do know 1 or 2 things). So I thought they were done and served them up with the Shake 'n Bake pork chops for supper and that's when I heard it. There should not be grunting and groaning and struggling when a person is trying to cut into their tater.

So I had to reheat each plate individually and it wasn't quite the family meal together I'd planned. The good thing about being 40 is that even though I am not any more skilled, I am a bit wiser and can retain a few bits and pieces of useful information here and there. Next time, I'll be paying attention to the size of the spud. In the meantime, I am going to drown my sorrows in some mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I know how to serve that up just right!

Rules are Meant to be... Followed

I decided to follow the whole "Sunday is a day of rest" rule for a change. And I liked it.

Last night I had some unexpected evening and late-night activities transpire, which got me home around midnight -- emotionally on edge and therefore, too wired to fall asleep right away.

I did not set an alarm and planned that we would not go to church and Sunday school if I didn't happen to wake up for it. Well, kitty jumped on my pillow at 8:03 a.m., loudly announcing her presence so I could not fall back to sleep.

So it started as a typical Sunday morning with me dropping Carter off at Sunday school for an hour. Only, I didn't have time to shower so I had to hide out in the car rather than grocery shop (heaven knows, you have to look your best at Wal-Mart). To pass the time, I did go fill up with gas and then stopped by the car wash to vacuum. (Found my missing sunglasses, so it's all good now). I also brought a book with to read. If it had been nice like yesterday, I could have taken a walk -- but it was chilly and in the 30s still. Yuck.

After Sunday school, we came home and I set Carter on homework while I did my normal weekend housework I wasn't around yesterday to do. We were done with our "chores" (including the undomestic goddess actually mending hubby's sweatshirt) by 1 p.m. so we treated ourselves to a movie. We watched Bedtime Stories, which we both enjoyed in the theater and did again today.

My butt really got a good groove on the couch cushion, too, so I wasn't all that motivated to move. Carter went outside and I asked him, "Is it nice enough for me to go for a walk?" He said, "No!" Good answer. I just stayed there in my warm spot and finished my book (and was definitely feeling guilt-free when I saw it start to rain).

I did manage to get off the couch to upload some pictures off the digital camera and order prints -- of everything since New Year's. I need to clean off the memory card a little more often! As long as I'm on the computer, I also have to get scanning some photos in for a top-secret graduation project. Hmm. That kind of sounds like work, though, doesn't it?

I might have to think about that one. I don't want to get caught breaking any rules!

Weekend Wrap

Lent: Now that Lent is over, Carter can go back to playing his video games. He ended up playing only 12 times in the 40 days, which wasn't so bad considering most times were when friends were over. So $3 (reflecting a quarter each time) will go into the Sunday School offering next week. I didn't keep tabs on my Lenten pledge. Basically, I tried to exercise 30 minutes or go 2 miles, whichever came first, each day. On days when I did nothing, I tried to make it up the next day, going 4 miles. That worked out a few times since the weather has been nicer. I'm guessing I should throw $3 in the offering next week, too!

Golf fever: I didn't get to watch the Masters as much as I'd hoped this weekend but it was enough to heighten my golf fever. The problem with watching the Masters and then going out to golf for the first time of the season is that you've seen so much good golf, you expect to do the same. Doesn't happen that way. I wonder if I'm the only one who got a small bit of pleasure out of seeing Tiger hit a tree. Don't get me wrong. I like Tiger, but as Hubby so aptly put it: "I can never say I golf like Tiger but now I can say Tiger golfs like me!"

Countdown: We just realized Casey's graduation party is a mere 2 months away already. Yikes! I have a list a mile long of things to get done around the house. That doesn't bode well for an undomestic goddess like me so I'm begging forgiveness in advance for my crank-ittude! It might get a little stressful (if I let it, right?).

How sweet it is: It's my own fault, but there is way too much sugar in the house right now! I brought some to work but other people brought in their leftovers, too, or items they got in their baskets they don't like (Peeps, etc.). So I can't escape it. I'm looking for some willpower if anyone's got any to spare...

Kick it up: This week will be a busy one as soccer season starts. Carter will have practice Tuesday and Thursday, with his first game Saturday already. This is where we re-learn about time management -- how to get homework done on practice nights without a fight or stress meltdown (where does he get that from?). Looking forward to seeing our little kicker in action. We may have to ban head-butts, though, if he's wearing glasses!