Musical Interpretation

Have you ever heard a song and wondered, "What does this mean?"  Some songs are like poetry.  You hear the song and it leaves you boggled.  Like all those old poems in Humanity class you had to read, recite, and give your interpretation to the weird and twisted great work. 

I have no doubt that if you are a country music fan, you've heard Hello World by Lady Antebellum.  It's a beautiful song.  You're probably thinking, "I know what that's about.  It's about a man who finally 'checks' back into the world that he has been missing out on."  Yes, this is true, but do you know WHY he's checked out?  This I will tell you, but first some of the lyrics from the chorus....

Well, hello world, how've you been?

Good to see you, my old friend

Sometimes I feel, cold as steel

Broken like I'm never gonna heal

I see a light, little hole in the little girl

Well, hello world

Are you ready for the reason?  He's been checked out because he's been doing laundry.  What?  You don't see the connection to laundry?  I'll break it down for you...

Well, hello world, how've you been?

Good to see you, my old friend

- He's been in his laundry room so long he has forgotten that the world continues on without you.  He's just stepped outside and recognizes this life altering fact.

Sometimes I feel cold as steel

Broken like I'm never gonna heal

-Pressing himself against the washing machine on the cold cycle loading clothes he's become frigid.  Once the cycle has started, he closes the top loader and moves to the dryer to fold the load that has just finished. It's been on the high heat cycle.  He's crying over the amount of time he's missing with his kids.  He then feels a burning sensation on his thighs.  He wonders if the burn will heal.

I see a light, little hole in a little girl

Well, hello world 

-He's clearly washing a load of his little girl's clothes.  They have a small hole in the knee of some light colored pants.

I could go on and on with the rest of the song, but I'm sure you're convinced of my genius interpretation.  I am for hire if you need further assistance, but until then I'll leave you with a picture of my final loads of laundry.  The last 3 that need to be folded.  The last 3 loads of 10. Well, hello world!

Menu {yawn} Monday

I am tired.  So tired.  The Puerto Ricans wore me out.  They made me tired and fatter.  They also made me laugh so hard I'm pretty sure a little pee came out.  All in a week's time.  So this week I'll be hitting the gym and crying over my menu.  The menu means back to reality.  Back to laundry (which we'll discuss later this week).  Back to picking up my house.  Back to dinner on the table by 5:30.  {Sigh}  Life is so hard.  Not really.  It was just really cush in Chicago.  Really Cush.

Monday-Eggplant Parmesan (scroll down below the Chicken Parmigiana pic), Olive Garden Style Salad, Roasted Garlic Dipping Sauce and Bread
Tuesday-Fried Chicken Drumsticks, Loaded Baked Potatoes, and Side Salad (this meal isn't helping the size of my booty)
Wednesday-Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta and THE Bread
Thursday-Ginger's Stuffed Burritos with Red Beans and Rice
Friday-Baked Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, Cheesy Biscuits
Saturday-Murder Mystery Dinner in Guthrie, OK
Sunday-Dinner at my Mama's (Mom, if you're reading this, we're coming over Sunday. Love you...bunches)

Menu Monday

Here's what's on my menu...

Monday-Chicago Style Pizza
Tuesday-Puerto Rican Food
Wednesday-Puerto Rican Food
Thursday-TURKEY Thanksgiving #1
Friday-Leftover Turkey
Saturday-TURKEY...Thanksgiving #2

Really, that's what we're having.  Fortunately I will not be dishin' up any of these meals.  I mean who wants the white chic cooking up the Puerto Rican food?  Not me.  I'll leave that to the experts.  And the Chicago Style Pizza...yumm-o!  Hopefully I can throw down at least one whole piece.  Let's be real, I'll probably throw down the entire pizza.  Just be ready for some weight loss tips and menus filled with lettuce next week.  I will be large and in charge after consuming so many calories.

Just a little side note, Torres Tidbits will be on a vacation this week.  No more posts until next week.  Don't cry.  Oh, they're tears of joy?  Well in that case, I unfriend you.  Oh, this isn't facebook?  Ummm....I'm stumped.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Textification

Texting has ruined our universe.  Ruined it.  The written word will never be the same.  Take writing projects for example.  In fourth grade I had multiple students sit down for the first draft conference and most of their paper was written in texting form.  Say what?!?  Yes, texting form.  Heck, I remember the days when the kids asked if they were supposed to write in cursive.  Now it's, "Do I have to write out the word, or can I use the number?"  What has this world come to??? 

Since we all know I was such a phenomenal teacher.  And when I say phenomenal, I mean rock star.  And when I say rock star, I mean rock star royalty.  Kind of like Madonna.  Frankly, I was so good I should have had just one name.  Torres.  None of that Mrs. Torres stuff.  Sorry.  I just had to reminisce how wonderful I was.  It makes me feel better about wiping my kids' bums all day long.

Back to being phenomenal...

Since I was, you know, phenomenal, I decided to do a lesson on decoding my texting.  I wrote a paragraph on the white board in texting form, and then they had to rewrite the paragraph in the correct form.  One of the more genius ideas I've had.  Here's an example of the assignment...

1 day i was walking down the hall @ skool i slipped on a banana peel & fell down i was layin on the floor trying 2 get up when my bff walked by she helped me up & then walked awy  i was lik what she didnt evn say nething 2 me she just walked off mayb shes mad mayb shes not but idk what 2 thnk mayb ill just b mad 2 lol

The kids were so frustrated trying to figure out what I was trying to say.  Figuring out the correct punctuation alone would have been enough, but decoding the 'words' was over the edge. To make matters worse I told them it was for a grade (because I was that nice).  Then we graded it in class.  Most received an "F".  Then I told them I'd cut them a deal.  If they stopped writing their writing projects and assignments in texting form, then I'd graciously throw this assignment in the trash.  They accepted.  I won.  Again, I was a phenomenal teacher!  Conniving, but phenomenal.

Ga-ro-dee

You very well may throw up in your mouth after reading this.  Just know there is a caution attached to this post.  So CAUTION...Grody picture ahead...GA-RO-DEE!

The picture is completely out of focus, but you get the point.  This is what was swept up after lunch at my house.  In fact, this picture reflects any given day after any give meal.  You could feed a small country with the daily leftovers on the floor.  For this reason alone, I will never have an area rug under my table.  Ever.  Never ever.  Well, not until I've taught these children how to eat like children and not like wolves.  So basically, I will purchase a fancy area rug to go along with that white couch when the kids go off to college.  Then again, their father will still live at home.  Scratch the white couch...and fancy area rug.  It's a hopeless cause.

A Few Minutes

We are getting ready to embark on a loooonnnnngggg car ride together as a family.  We've done it once before when Little Miss was 7 months old.  It went well, but it's such a loooooonnnnnngggg time in the car.  I mean loooonnnnnngggg.  I'm trying to keep my mind off how long the car ride will be so I decided to plan our spending while we're in Chicago.  We've saved for a few months so we're able to take the kids to The Field Museum and Children's Museum at Navy Pier, but you all know I love to save $$$.

With a few minutes time, I checked free admission days to both museums.  Too bad they aren't for the days we'll be there, but I did find a coupon for the Children's Museum and a discount for teachers at the Field Museum.  Technically, I'm still under contract with the former school system I worked for so I still have a current teacher badge. 

Then I planned where we were going to eat while in Chi-Town.  Since Chicago is a HUGE city, they have a plethora of restaurants that put out printable coupons.  A quick search at Retail Me Not helped me print out quite a few choices for the Lakeshore Drive area. 

We also have some 'regular' stops we make on the drive.  All of them artery clogging establishments.  I'll pay for it later, but we can't break tradition.  Going directly to the websites of our 'regular' places led me to even more coupons.  I now have my envelope of cash and an envelope of coupons to take on the road with us.  I'm hoping to come back with some leftover cash to stash in savings.  We'll see!!!

If you're making a trip over the Holidays, you don't have to spend an arm and a leg doing the fun stuff or eating out.  A few minutes preparing for your trip can allow you to save quite a bit.

Where Did We Go Wrong???

We want our kids to appreciate what they have been given.  I think everyone does.  So when you continually hear your four year old say, "I wanna get that sometime," you start to wonder where you went wrong.  It's not wrong for him to ask for things he wants.  We want him to ask, but we don't want him to ask about everything in sight, and then pout when he doesn't get what he wants.  So I decided we should focus on buying something for a child who is not as privileged as Little Man. 

With Christmas around the corner Samaritan's Purse has already started Operation Christmas Child.  I thought this would be perfect for Little Man to get involved in giving to others.  At first, I thought it was a lost cause.  Shopping at the store, he started wandering down the boy aisle searching for the toys he wanted.   Frustrating.  He whined that he didn't want to buy toys for a little girl his age.  Frustrating.  How in the world did I raise and ungrateful child???  I kept on.  Asking Little Man what he wanted to purchase for our Christmas Child.  Eventually, he decided on art supplies.  A sharp left onto art supply aisle.  Yes!  He's starting to get it.  That's when Little Miss started up.  She noticed the little Cinderella figurine in the cart.  "Rella, Rella.  I want Rella."  I couldn't catch a break!  Frustrating. 

Standing in line to pay for the items, both the kids had settled down and I look over to Little Man who is touching the items on the belt.  He looks at me and says, "I think she's really gonna like this Mommy.  I think she's gonna like it 'cause I like it."  I almost cried.  He got it.  Then I glanced over at Little Miss.  She was picking her nose.  She didn't get it.  One out of two's not bad.  I'll take what I can get.

Later on in the evening, we wrapped the box and packed it full.  Both Little Miss and Little Man were making a gigantic mess out of the wrapping paper and tape helpers.  The wrapping job could have gone a lot faster had I done it after they'd gone to bed, but I wanted them to be apart of the whole process.  I want them to know that giving is one of the best feelings they will experience in their life.  So tomorrow we will head off to a drop off location and send our package on its way to a precious child somewhere in this world. 

{Showing off their purchase}

 

{The final package}

If you are interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child, it's not too late.  This week is the week to drop off your box at the designated locations. If you don't have time to get the goodies, you can always donate $7 or more to help pay for the shipping costs of all these boxes.

Menu Monday

It's officially the week before Thanksgiving, and we will begin our 600 mile journey to visit family on Saturday.  Early Saturday.  Steven has decided we need to be on the road at 3:00am.  I think he forgot we have two young kids...and that I enjoy sleep.  Actually, I need sleep.  He may regret taking me on this Thanksgiving journey.  That or decide to depart from Chicago at a normal time.  We will see.  Until then, here's the menu for this week...

Monday-Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken, Pepperoni Pasta Salad, and Cheesy Biscuits
Tuesday-Chicken Club Salad with Honey Bread
Wednesday-Minestrone Soup, Italian Cheesy Bread, and Olive Garden Style Salad
Thursday-Chicken with Garlic and Tomatoes, Green Bean Casserole , and The Bread
Friday-Leftovers...I'll be too busy packing the family and going to bed at 4pm for that early rise Saturday morning.  I'm sure you'll think about me as you sleep in on Saturday morning.  All snug in your bed while I'm roughing it with the traveling version of Hitler in the car.  Go ahead, say a prayer for me.

Randomness

Because I have absolutely nothing to write about pertaining to one particular subject, you will receive a bunch of random things floating around in my head this morning.  Read at your own risk.  You very well may be stupider after reading this.  Not just stupider, but more stupider.

1. Using 'stupider' is actually bugging me.  It's not correct grammar.
2. I sure hope my former students would be able to recognize it's wrong.
3. My former students are off school today.  I know because they have a lot of posts of facebook today.  I think some of them forget they have their teacher as a friend because the use of the "F" bomb is astronomical.
4. I told those stinkers that using cuss words show a lack of vocabulary.  I guess they got stupider.
5. My left thumb hurts something fierce.
6. A very large 10 year old...and when I say large, I mean out weighing me by 50 lbs...slaughtered it at gymnastics last night.
7. Note to self...move hand before gigantic legs curl up in a back handspring thus smashing the thumb.
8. That could be the very reason why I've asked her to keep her legs STRAIGHT.
9. I think she gets it now.
10. I HOPE she gets it now.
11. I can see the dust on my furniture. 
12. It's disgusting.
13. I need to dust, but I am instead making a random list.
14. I also have unmade beds and laundry awaiting me.  Yuck.
15. Honestly, I have a toothbrush that is awaiting me as well.  Good thing you can't smell through a computer.
16. Little Man and Little Miss are coloring with markers.
17. Little Miss just got purple marker on her thumb.  She hates that she's messy.
18. She is now done.
19. I'm afraid I've passed on a very disastrous gene. 
20. So disastrous, I going to stop my random list.  If I don't, I'll have to continue to #25 or #30 because I must stop on a number ending in 5 or 0.  I told you it was a disastrous gene.

The Most Prized Jars

When we moved from our little house to our big house it was like Christmas.  Since our little house was approximately 1200 sq ft, we had little room for extras.  Simply put, our attic was crammed with items given to us when we were married that could not be squeezed into the house.  Most of the items were for the kitchen that my Grandma had passed down to me.  When we moved into our new house and I opened the boxes that had been stored for 7 years, I cried.  Not really, but I was excited.  Inside one of the boxes was a group of original Mason Jars.  I had not a clue they were tucked away all those years. If I had, I certainly would have found a space for them in the old house.  Granted it would have probably been in the living room since the kitchen was busting at the seams, but STILL...

Anyway, I have since cleaned them out and filled them with my baking staples.  It makes baking all the more sweet to open my pantry, reach in, and pull out a Mason Jar with the patent date of 1858.  Love it.  Absolutely love it.  And since I love it, you'll love it too...or...at least indulge me in my craziness.  Yes, that's probably what you'll do.  I'm quite certain there is no one else who would 'share' about their Mason Jars, but if you did I would come rejoice with you.  Totally.

The Party and the Day

It's been hard.  Having a four year old and all.  Not hard because of him, but hard that he's getting older.  Do you people realize he starts school in August?  AUGUST!  That's only nine months away.  I can't even fathom the thought of spending 1/2 a day away from him, and that's exactly what's going to happen.  I do not like this gettign older stuff.  Not one bit.  I guess for now we'll just enjoy our time together and forget about the future.  The future that will not include me for his every waking moment.

Saturday was Little Man's actual birthday and we had his actual party on that day too.  He pretty much had a four year old fun filled day.  Little Man woke up to his presents.  Bed head and all.  Have I mentioned that I love this guy?  I do.  I love him to pieces.

After he had some time to dig into that Play-Doh, we loaded up an headed to an old donut shop on our local Main St. The entire family definitely ate their fill of donuts.  Definitely.  Then we went to a children's museum in a neighboring city.  It wasn't as clean as I would have liked, but the kids had a blast.  I had a blast with the hand sanitizer afterwards.  If that wasn't enough, we still had an evening party.  Here's a glimpse of the party...

He had a great day, and Steven and I would like to thank those of you who were able to come to Little Man's party.  You helped make his day all the more special!

Menu Monday

Yet again, Monday has rolled around.  Another Monday.  I actually don't mind Mondays, but I thought I'd wallow with you a bit if Mondays weren't your thing.  Monday, blah.  Blah, blah, blah.  Okay, I'm done.  I'm just not a wallower.  I'm a half full kinda girl.  An optimist.  So this week is going to be good for me.  Especially good because Steven and I are getting a free date night with 8 of our friends and family at Fox and Hound.  Want to know how you can get one too?  I thought so.  Go here for some more details. 

Monday-Baked Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, Homemade Crescents
Tuesday-FREE Dinner @ Fox and Hound
Wednesday-Miniature Meatloaf, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Thursday-Ginger's Stuffed Burritos with Corn Saute
Friday-Sausage & Beef Hamburgers, Spring Potato Toss
Saturday-Parmesan Pork Chops with Herb Roasted Veggies
Sunday-Fish Tacos with Taco Dip (carried over from last week's menu)

Happy Cooking!!!

Wisp Clip Giving Project

Every month I like to run a special over at Wisp Clips on Facebook.  This month, I'm doing a giveaway.  If you do not have a facebook account, you can enter the giveaway here (just leave a comment on this post to enter).  Giveaway ends November 14th and the winner will be announced on the 15th.

Also, since it's November I thought it would be appropriate to show some thanks.  My family has been blessed, and I wish the same for you.  Unfortunately, many children live in worlds that we could not even imagine.  Love 146 is an organization that reaches out to children who know not what being a child is about.  It was difficult for me to initially read the stories about these children who have been purchased/stolen and forced into the sex slave industry, but I had to get passed it.  If I chose to turn my eyes and simply not think about it, I'd be turning my back God's creations.  I am thankful that the people of Love 146 are being proactive in rescuing, restoring, and preventing children from sex slavery.  

So, for the month of November every Wisp Clip product purchased, $1 will be donated to Love 146.  That means if you purchase 10 clips/bows, $10 will be donated to Love 146. 

I want to be careful to note that Love 146 knows nothing about me other than having records of our family's giving.  If you have organizations that you regularly donate to, please continue to give.  This is just a way to be giving and receive something for yourself or child.

Birthday Season

If you haven't notice so far, it's birthday season around here.  Once October hits, we know it's craziness until January 1st.  Here's the breakdown of birthdays...

October: niece, Little Miss, Chunky Monkey
November: Mom, Little Man, Mom's Husband
December: Steven and his twin

That's 8 birthdays in 3 months!!!

I mention all these birthdays because tomorrow is Little Man's 4th Birthday!  He is such a joy to my life.  He's compassionate, caring, tenderhearted, and crazy.  He is everything my husband is crammed into a little teeny tiny body.  I'm completely serious.  I watch him do things throughout the day that just scream Steven.  It's a good thing I like my husband or I'd be in trouble. 

For now, I'll leave you with this newborn pick of my firstborn baby...

Next week, I'll share the party pics.  It will be his first party where all his friends attend.  Exciting stuff!!!

You Can Get With This, Or You Can Get With That

It's pretty common to have a security system in your house.  We have one in our new house, but I don't really put a lot of stock in it.  If someone really wanted to get in our house, they would do it before the police could even get here.  I personally feel security systems are more of a 'security' blanket for ourselves.  Just my personal opinion.

So instead of getting 'secure' with our security system, we got secure with God's Word.  Back when our house was in the framing stage, Steven and I wrote scriptures on the 2 x 4's in every room in the house.  Today I'll share what we wrote above our front door, and living room.  I'm not sure I'll get to every room in our house, but I've had a lot of questions about why or how we did this.  (Note: The scriptures are not visible.  They are covered with the drywall, but we know where they are and what was written.)

Our Entryway:

Written directly above the top of the door and under the under the upper window, it says...

Psalm 91:5-7
"You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.  A thousand my fall at your side, 10,000 at your right hand, but it will not come near you."

If ever fear arises in our spirits, we don't run to check to see if the alarm is set.  Instead, we say this scripture.  God promises us that even though there are people and circumstances in this world that are able to destroy, we are protected.

As for our living room, it says this right behind the black shelving unit...

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your crooked paths straight."

Our living room is most often the place we spend our time as a family.  It's a great reminder to us that when we don't know what to do in a certain instance, we trust that God does.  He will show us what we need to do as long as we are seeking Him (we have to do some work too).

This is just something that was right for our family.  God is a huge part of our life.  We don't make decisions about our family or life unless we consult with God.  It's always worked for us.  We've never ever been let down.

In no way do I desire for this post to judge you if you depend on your alarm system.  We have one.  We use it.  However, we trusts God's Word more than our alarm system.  That's all I'm sayin'. 

Cheesy Biscuits

You can go ahead and thank me now.  I'm about to share the recipe to the most amazing biscuits brought to you by my mom.  I'm about to share the Cheesy Biscuits recipe. 

{Moment of Silence}

Cheesy Biscuits are mouth watering deliciousness.  Make them tonight.  Make them tomorrow night.  Heck, make them every night.  You'll be loved all the more for it.  I will, however, not be responsible for any weight gain you acquire from the cheesy bicuits.  Your biscuits (booty cheeks) will get bigger from the biscuits.  You must eat at your own risk folks.

Cheesy Biscuits
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup melted butter
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• Mix all ingredients together. 
• Drop spoonfuls on a greased baking sheet.
• Bake @ 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

So sorry for the ghetto picture!  I was headed out to teach gymnastics, and the biscuits were finishing up.  So ya' know...I just threw open the oven and snapped the pic.  Photography at its finest. 

Happy Birthday MOM!

{Picture taken at Christmas Train in Dry Gulch, USA}

Today is my mom's birthday.  She is the most wonderful mom ever.  I know everyone has a mom, but I wish everyone had a mom like mine.  She's taught me how to love my own children and how to serve and give to others.  She is still very active, and I even got to run the Tulsa Run with her.  It was a great experience; one I will never forget.  So today Mom, I want to tell you how much I love you.  You are the BEST mom in the universe.  Thank you for all you've done for your family!

Menu Monday

I survived!  I ran the Tulsa Run.  The entire thing.  I didn't stop one time.  Not even to grab water.  Even though it took me 1 hr 52 minutes (slow and steady), I was super pleased I accomplished my goal.  Never in my life have I ran that many hills, and definitely didn't train for hills, but I looked at this run like childbirth.  You can't quit in the middle of that so I wasn't going to quit in the middle of this. When Satan's Blvd came up at mile 8, I looked down at my feet so I wouldn't notice how much I had left.  Soon enough, I was at the top of the hill and noticed the BOK Center.  I was almost finished!!!  Such a great feeling!

Now for the menu this week.  There's really nothing new, but you should definitely try the Bacon Chicken Cresent Ring.  It's simple and tasty!

Monday-Chili and Cornbread
Tuesday-Chicken Parmigiana, Salad, Garlic Dipping Sauce
Wednesday-Breakfast Egg Casserole and Toast
Thursday- Bacon Chicken Cresent Ring, Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Friday-Fish Tacos with Taco Dip
Saturday-Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Sunday-Monterey Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese, Honey Bread

I hope you all have a great week!

Happy Cooking!!!