Friday, November 28, 2014

I survived!

Fried turkey, homemade mac n cheese, balsamic and bacon Brussels sprouts, garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, sausage stuffing and crescent rolls.  It was alllllllll delicious.  Kman ate an Easy Mac :/. Everyone else ate and ate and ate some more until we just couldn't eat anymore.

By 5:30 we were still stuffed and bored, so I made an attempt at Target.  24 miles away, where I have only been 3-4 times ever, and requires several one way roads and I have never been in the dark.  I am one of those people where my clocks are always running fast or slow, so my GPS likes to skip steps as well.  After our third circle of the area and missing one last turn and getting back on the highway towards home, I took it as a sign and went there.  I was bummed, Z has been begging for a sewing machine for over a year and there is an offer for a free Isabelle gift through American Girl with the purchase of any Singer machine through November 30th.  Luckily my mind was not completely fried since that was the extent of my Gray Thursday shopping and I thought to check online.  BAM what?!  Done and done with free shipping and 4 Swagbucks for every dollar I spent!  

This afternoon we went and had some lunch and shopping at Bass Pro Shops.  It is Kman's most favorite store!  He played all the games in Santa's Village while Z rode the Merry go round and colored :). Tomorrow we are off for Zoey's early birthday celebration in Atlanta.  American Girl and Lego Store, here we come!!!!!

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thankful

As I sit on my couch surrounded by 8 family members, I reflect on the past year.  All the friends I have made, lessons I have learned, experiences I have been blessed with, make me who I am today and have brought me to this place in my life where I write to you about whatever is on my mind at that particular moment in time.  I am thankful for my loving husband, my awesome kids, my supportive family, my amazing friends and all of you out there in Blogger-land that come to check in on me!  Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

My budding artists

So, there are art projects your kids take on all by them selves.  They tell you a lot about your child, their likes, dislikes, emotions, etc.  Sometimes you can really stay in touch with your kids through their random doodlings.....

Sometimes they have assignments that are just so spot on for their personality, you almost think the teacher picked it just for your child.  For example, Zoey brought this home


If you knew Zoey, you would know, she most likely was the author of this assignment.

Then there is Kieran's work.  His teacher really didn't take him into consideration when handing this one out to the class, or maybe she just doesn't know him as well as I thought she did!




Sunday, November 23, 2014

Turkey Day countdown!

Well, the weekend is over and Thanksgiving is upon us once again.  Does anyone else ever feel that if you blink on Thanksgiving, when you reopen your eyes it is already Christmas?  December is always so busy, Cheer competition, Zoey's Birthday, Hanukkah and Christmas.  The joys of being an Interfaith Family.  We have so much fun, but it just flies by so quickly.  Any tips on how to slow time down?  

We will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our home this year.  Only 9 of us, but it will still be nice.  I just might sneak out for a little tiny bit of shopping after dinner.  I don't really need anything, but I would love to grab some $5 pjs to send off to Project Pajamas.  Saturday we will be heading off for our 2nd annual pilgrimage to Atlanta to celebrate Zoey's birthday early at the American Girl Store, we are all really excited!

What are some of your Holiday Season traditions?  I would love to hear from you!

Friday, November 21, 2014

On the mend

Not to worry, I am still here!  I was feeling a bit under the weather with some sort of tummy bug which left me physically and emotionally drained for a couple of days.  Not much of an appetite, but feeling much better today!  So now I am ready to talk turkey!!!!  D loves to deep fry the turkey, and we will be doing so for the first time in several years this Thanksgiving.  He also loves to make garlic mashed potatoes using red new potatoes, skin on.  Stuffing is cooked seperately, a la Alton Brown, using a mix of bread crumb stuffing and sausage, yuuummmmmmmyyy!!!  Which leaves the veggies.  Z and I are the only ones that eat green beans, and neither of us care for green bean casserole. So share with me your favorite Thanksgiving veggie recipies!!!  Z requested asparagus, but I fear this far out of season they won't be flavorful.  I would love brussel sprouts, but again, I am the only fan in the family.  Help a mommy out, won't you?

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Baby it's cold outside!

Last night I made an awesome (if I do say so myself) crock pot baked ziti (calm down, I used jarred sauce and cheese I purchased pre shredded).  The temperature outside dropped rather quickly over night and we awoke to a 2-hour school delay.  Within the hour flurries turned in to snowfall and they called off school for the whole day.  Stuck inside with the kids without warning or preparation AAAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!  Ok, deep breaths, we can do this.  We just sat in all weekend while Kieran was sick, but that was different.  Only 1 kid was whining that they were bored.

Thank goodness Zoey's read-a-thon started yesterday!  I issued a challenge, and she has now logged over 240 minutes of reading since she got home from school yesterday.  The times she wasn't reading she occupied herself with cat videos on YouTube :). 

Kman was granted full custody of the TV.  We watched 2 movies 3 times each while he drained the battery on his iPad twice, but he was thrilled and there was very little bickering, so I consider the day a win!

I am now set up on most of the major Social Media sites.  You can follow me on PinterestInstagram, Google+ and Twitter @AMediocreMommy.  Find me on Facebook as well!

Monday, November 17, 2014

A new milestone

Our school system works on 6 6-week grading periods rather then 4 semesters like I am accustom to. So last week the kids got their second report cards of the year.  While their first sets of grade were fabulous, they somehow managed to improve upon them even more.  To celebrate and reward a job well done, we let them pick an evening of fun.  We started with a fine meal served on a plastic tray a la McDonald's as requested by Kman.  We then loaded ourselves into the van with windows down and blankets bundled around us to enjoy the ice cold temps while driving through Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland!  They changed up the lights, route and songs this year, tons of fun!  We didn't see the petting zoo and pony rides set up yet outside, so onward to Zoey's request, we went to welcome Santa to Bass Pro Shops!  The kids had a blast writing letters to Santa, coloring in window charms, playing games and enjoying a cookie for dessert.  We were going to get a free picture with Santa, but the line was over an hour long.  We live just a couple of miles away, maybe one week night we will head back over.

Sunday was pretty uneventful.  I did however manage to remember I wanted to measure the kid's height on the wall every three months and I had missed it only by 1 day!  For those who don't know me personally, my children are 27 months apart.  I get asked almost daily if they are twins.  From their Howdy Doody freckles and blonde hair to their games and languages only they seem to understand, I totally get why people ask.  It really upsets Zoey when people ask.  Zoey takes after Deron's mom's side of the family, where most of the women barely pass the 5 foot mark, whereas Kieran takes after the men on Deron's mother's side where you will be hard pressed to find one under 6'3".  Kieran has out weighed Zoey for well over a year now, he is a solid boy and one of the tallest in his grade, he certainly earns his nickname Bubba.  Zoey is petite and skinny as a rail, if I find pants to stay on her waist, they only go down half way between her knee and ankle.  If I fit her length, she looks like she is wearing a burlap sack.  I have decided she will still be needing to ride in a booster seat in high school.  Then finally, this happened....



Zoey was NOT a happy camper.  Who can blame her, she is a big 2nd grader, almost 8 whole years old!  That is only 2 away from double digits, you know!  She reads chapter books and can help cook dinner, she is a big girl!  Kieran is only 5, that is like, such a baby.  He is in Kindergarten and still watches Yo Gabba Gabba for Pete's sake!  It is TOTALLY unfair that he gets to be taller!  I tried to assure her that come high school, she will be grateful to have a bigger brother to protect her, but she wasn't hearing it.  Ahhhhh, the trials and tribulations of being almost 8.  Will Zoey stick around to see if she can grow faster then Kieran, will she attempt to stunt his growth, or will she just try and tell us that nothing will make her feel better short of getting a new American Girl Doll?  Stay tuned to find out!


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Opinions Wanted

Apparently y'all like rants!  That was my most read post yet!  Sorry to be so quiet since, been busy with my American Girl groups as we get closer and closer to the holidays.  Speaking of holidays, let's talk sales.  Are you an all year shopper?  Do you shop Black Friday?  Or are you that person running around the mall Christmas Eve like a chicken with their head cut off?  Since we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas and Zoey's birthday is in December, I usually start shopping over the Summer.  I do like to go out on Black Friday for fun, usually I try and snag $5 pajamas or a movie, the main list is usually done so I don't have to stress over making sure I am there in time to not miss out.  share with me how you like to do your holiday shopping and why!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

My First Blog Rant

Today I am going to rant.  I don't do it often, but I find people are so quick to talk badly about things that just aren't their cup of tea.  I have caught myself doing it.  I have mentioned it before, Zoey LOVES American Girl dolls.  Most of you reading this are here because of my link on the American Girl boards. I admin for a local Knoxville group and several national boards all on Facebook.  Zoey has asked for all her Birthday/Holiday gifts to be American Girl, even Kieran has a set of Bitty Twins and has asked for a custom American Girl boy doll from Santa.  I think you get the picture.  Are they pricey?  Sure they are. Do I know how to make it work with our tight budget?  Yes, I do.  I scour eBay and Craigslist for the chance at being first on a great deal with even one piece that Zoey has asked for.  95% of the time! I sell the rest of the items to where the parts I have kept were either free, or I was paid to keep them.  Did I learn this overnight?  No, I have been watching and tracking and learning for over a year now.  Is it easy if you pay attention and know what to look for?  Well, I am doing it, aren't I?  LOL!

Anyway, so a friend posted a blog post in one of my groups this morning, where this fellow mommy blogger spit out a BUNCH of cuss words and ranted on and on about how her daughter got the new American Girl doll catalog and the prices in the catalog and $115 for a doll and and ice cream parlor and whatever else she listed.  All of her followers were commenting how their catalogs went right in the recycle bin, some said how glad they were they had boys.  Well, at least they are recycling, I am thankful for that.  Why is it that we live in a society where $60-70 for a video game to play on a $300 console, or $600 iPads or cell phones for 9-year-olds is a-ok, but $120 for a doll to play and grow and use their imagination is outrageous and how dare they?!?!?  Mind you many of these dolls retain 75-90% of their value and the limited edition Girl of the Year dolls have been known to more then double in value.  If that is what your child is asking for, give up 3 Barbie dolls and get one of what she truly wants.  As for the followers so relieved they have boys, I guess their child has yet to ask Santa for the Lego Star Wars Death Star. Thankfully Kman has only asked for the Ewok Village.

Ahhhhhhh!  I feel so much better to get that off my chest!  Thank you for listening!

Monday, November 10, 2014

In which I impress myself


I did it, I really did it!  I accomplished several of the items on my task list from my last post!  I went through the garage, it is sorted by sell and keep and sell online.  I even took a handful of pictures and posted some of the items for sale online!


I have not managed to cut the fabric for the project for my friend yet, however I did do the sock experiment for Zoey's cheer team!  Go Admirals!


Today I managed to get out and accomplish several errands I have been procrastinating for no other reason than it required leaving the house in real clothing.  I have been trying my best to be as economical as possible with the grocery shopping.  My children LOVE steak and Kroger was having a good sale, so I did get a nice sirloin for Deron's famous peppercorn sauce.  I made rice on the side which the kids love.  I have to say, it just all came together even better then mediocre!  The rice was seasoned just right, and I managed not to let it boil over onto the stove.  D cooked the steak to where it was still tender and juicy.  It was a family collaboration that ended in the kids proclaiming they loved it over and over while asking for thirds.


Tomorrow there is no school, so my post might have a completely different tone....


Saturday, November 8, 2014

Weekend Gone

Yesterday after school, both kids fell asleep.  I knew nothing good could come of it, but it was sure nice and quiet!  Then comes dinner time.  Kieran said he was full and didn't want to even sit at the table without holding his nose.  He hadn't had as much of a snack as he normally does.  It was at that moment I knew the weekend was over before it even began.  Here is where you learn why I truly am mediocre at best :/

We packed up the left overs (just boxed noodles with jar sauce, at least it was Emril's!), everything was cleaned up, and then THE sound, the dreaded sound, the sound that makes me shut completely down and literally run for the hills.  Kieran was throwing up.  Those reading this right now know me personally, those reading back might not have learned yet.  I can wipe a million noses and I can wipe dirty butts all day long.  A friend 5 states away can PM me that she feels queasy and it sends me into a state of panic.  I just don't deal.  I never have, and I just don't see it getting any better as I age.  I spent the night as a true wimp, sleeping on the couch in the basement watching tv with rabbit ears.  Not my moment to shine :(

This morning he is feeling better, he hasn't eaten yet, but he has had some water.  He has asked for McDonalds of Noodles the restaurant.  So I know he is on the mend, yet he has chosen to stay snuggled in his bed where he can watch his choice of movie.  Occasionally he will call me in for a hug, which I will happily oblige, while holding my breath.

So since it appears we are home for the weekend, I have big plans to sort through boxes in the garage, there is tons to post online and sell.  I also spent a few minutes (ok, hours) on Pinterest and have a craft planned.  I also have four sets of doll bedding I need to cut and sew for a friend and some packages to ship out.  Ok, ok, you can stop laughing.  Check in tomorrow night to see how much, if any, I accomplished!


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Coyotes and Groundhogs and Vols, oh my!

So my morning started with a bang!  I had to jam the breaks to avoid hitting a coyote that ran right out in front of my car!  By the time I calmed down from having to stop short, it dawned on me what I had seen, and that I was one turn away from the house!  That certainly solidified my decision to keep Ginger an indoor only kitty!

I have been trying to give myself daily projects to get the blog and everything that goes along with it up and running.  I have started working on artwork and branding.  Today, I jumped head first into completely unknown waters and joined Twitter!  You can now follow me at @AMediocreMommy but be kind, I still don't fully "get it" :). So far, I only have 9 followers, so any tweet love would be greatly appreciated.  I did get a notification that @VolNation is following me, and I wasn't even following them first.  Go Vols!!!  Thank you for supporting a fellow Knoxvillian!

We all know that in the Fall, many animals start to prepare for Winter.  We have been seeing more and more of our "pet" Phil as he eats his way towards hibernation.  Since I have spoken about him a few times now, I tried to zoom in with my phone and get you all as best a picture as I could.  



Sounds like a pretty productive day, doesn't it?  Don't be too fooled, I didn't accomplish much else other then cleaning the litter box 5 days late and taking out the trash :). I would hate to disappoint you and make you fear I lured you in with a false blog name!

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Doing what I love to do

Today was a day full of amazing deals that spiraled me in to the best mood ever!  Most of you who know me, know that Zoey dove both feet first into the world of American Girl dolls last year.  I run a buy/sell/trade group on Facebook with over 2100 members now.  I awoke to posts all over all the groups with rumor of AG being on Jill's Steals and Deals on the Today Show this morning!  I scored a set of 3 outfits for her dolls that normally are $24-28 each, for a total of $39.95 shipped!  Three more nights of Hanukkah checked off!

As I was still buzzing from that deal, I had to check my daily Zulily email.  I had several people sign up from my shared link a while back and someone recently made a purchase, so I had $15 credit that has been burning a hole in my virtual pocket for days now!  Zoey needs a black "fur" bolero for a couple of dresses she has for the holiday season, but everywhere I have looked, they are $25 or more.  Not today, my friends!  Today they were on Zulily for $14.99!  Chaaaa-Ching!!!!!

Every Wednesday afternoon we journey 45 miles back to West Knoxville where we used to live so that Zoey can cheer with her favorite coach.  We tried to join the team here through the same company and none of us were enjoying it, so D and I decided it was a schlep we were willing to make.  Since we are Target-less out here, I usually go on Wednesdays while out on that side of town.  Several trips ago I had earned a $5 gift card for stocking up on toothpaste and soap and the like, so today I decided to cash in.  On 70% off Halloween candy!  I had been having so much fun saving today, how could I resist?  2 huge bags filled with Snickers and Kit Kat and Milky Way and I don't even remember what else, came to 29 cents out of pocket.  What a sweet end to a trifecta of great bargains!!!!

PS - A HUGE shout out to my friend Crystal for allowing me to borrow her PicMonkey Royale to play around with a banner for the blog.  Another freebie!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

I love where I live!

Grocery shopping while hungry = not good
Grocery shopping with the kids = even worse
Grocery shopping with the kids when all of you are hungry = disaster

It has been an all around crappy kinda day.  No one reason in particular.  Not feeling 100%, people backing out on local sales and wasting my time! online sales slowing to a halt, nothing major, just added up for an off day.  One thing I did see on the way to market, that brought a smile to my face was a younger couple, maybe mid-late 20's, driving in from out of town for their vacation.  Their honeymoon, perhaps?  Their license plate was from DC, so I am guessing their daily lives are pretty hussle and bustle and city life.  As they got closer to Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, the passenger opened the sun roof, held her phone over the car, and began to record the view of the mountains, even from 20-30 miles away yet.  I hope I never take for granted that I have such beauty right in my back yard!

Monday, November 3, 2014

A momentous occasion

A night, 3 months in the making!  Ginger, our beloved kitty that adopted us 3 months ago, has chosen D's lap for her tv viewing perch this evening!  There is no longer a disturbance in the Force!

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Coming out of the rain


What a few days since I last posted!  Kieran stayed home from school Thursday and Friday.  I had volunteered to chaperone Zoey's class trip on Friday, so D had to call in to work.  But that is another story.  I had 3.5 hours with which to entertain 2 7-year-old girls with a tractor ride, corn maze and a handful of backyard games.  So after 1 tractor ride around the farm, solving the corn maze twice and playing each game 3 times, we still had 2 hours to fill.  Here is where whining sets in, the girls were bored, too.  Thankfully they brought out lunch and then allowed all the kids with parents there to leave early :).



So all is well, Mom of the year, right?  I wish.  We get home and suddenly Kman spikes a fever and starts just crying in his room.  It is Zoey's fault, she sneezed on him, he doesn't know why he feels this way, everything hurts, and he is holding his ear.  Now remember, we live in the mountains, and just moved here over the Summer.  Most Mom's establish a new doctor right away, bit that would have been too much like planning.  We called one office that comes up in a search for walk-in clinic.  They only offer walk-in for non-patients after hours, call back after 5:00.  Called the next listing, their doctor doesn't work Fridays.  Third time is a charm, found a place almost all the way down by Dollywood.  Mind you it is now after 4:00, on the one road in to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg :/. 4 miles down the road and Kieran is crying, I am crying and traffic isn't moving.  I might have let some choice words slip :/. While we were looking for a clinic, I had put some Mellelucca oil on a cotton ball in his ear.  About another 4 miles down the road, the pain started to dissipate.  We got there, and I have to say, the place was accommodating, understanding, efficient and all over wonderful!  There was some fluid behind his ears and general congestion.  A couple of prescriptions, a note for school and a Popsicle and we were on our way :)



By now the rain had started, so needless to say, we never made it Trick or Treating.  Fast forward to medicine time.  Ever taste a yummy medicine?  Yeah, me either.  Not going to lie, I bribed him with candy.  Still didn't work.  So, for now, the mellelucca seems to be keeping the ear on the path to healing, no fever since Friday afternoon, and even the cough seems to be on the mend!