Published!

About ten years ago, I wrote a list of 100 things I want to do before I die.  It contained a whole gambit of things from "Swimming the English Channel" (never going to happen), to own a house, to read all of Dicken's works (I'm close).  

Another thing was to get something I wrote published.  It was a simple goal.  I would have been happy with a letter to the editor of my local newspaper.  Well, today, that dream has been reached.  I just found out that an article I submitted to the New Era will be published in the May 2009 issue.  Wahoo!  I'm thrilled.  

Just So It is Out There

Before I die, I will run a 1/2 marathon.  Until then, I will run/exercise regularly, trying to work up enough courage to do so.  

Also, I wish I could still eat like crap but not gain weight.  Weaning a baby (OK, weaning a toddler, yes I had weaning issues) has messed up my eating habits.  

Chinese Chicken Salad

I have made this salad several times in the past few weeks.  It really is a great, fresh tasting salad and several people have asked for the recipe.  

Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/2-3/4 cup rice vinegar, seasoned.  I like Marukan brand
1/2 cup sugar
salt and pepper

Salad:
1 head of cabbage--shredded
2 bunches of cilantro, cut up into pieces
5 cooked and shredded chicken breasts (or if you want to save time, I often use rotisserie chicken) 
1 bunch green onion
2 packages slivered almonds

I'm Scaring My Kids by Making Them Eat Canned Fruit

I don't ever remember eating canned fruit in my house.  When I asked my mom about it, she said that both she and my dad always preferred the taste and health benefits of fresh fruit, so that is what we always had.  So, as a result, I always buy fresh fruit and that is all my kids have eaten.  

Well, being a Cub Scout leader, I discovered in the wolf book an idea of having the boys build "tin can stilts".  Dentist husband suggested I buy the bigger sized (29 ounce) canned fruit to make them, since they are easier to walk on.  I have eight boys in the troupe, so I went to the store and bought 16 cans of canned peaches and pears.  I opened up the 1st can and served them with dinner.  

You would think I was making them eat poison.  Their reaction was one of disgust and horror.  They couldn't believe I was serving them fruit from a can.  Fruit in syrupy, sticky juice.  "EWWWWW!" 

I then started having one of those, "Oh no, I am spoiling my kids.  I am raising princes and princesses.  What if we have a major financial crisis and we have to eat canned fruit and vegetables from our food storage to survive and they die because they refuse to eat it."  So I gave them that shpeel.  I really laid in on thick and even pointed out all of the poor people who would beg to eat canned fruit.  It kind of worked and they did choke it down.  

Now, I just have to force 15 more cans down them in next two weeks. And, truth be known me, I don't like canned fruit either, but I will not let them know it.

I'm Glad I Did It

I was not going to exercise this morning and I had convinced myself I was not going to feel guilty about it.  It is OK to miss doing it.  I woke up tired and grumpy and even announced out loud that "I am NOT going to exercise!"  

I took an extra long shower, put on make-up and headed out the door to do errands.  Everywhere I looked, there were people exercising.  While at the bus stop, my cute neighbor (Hi Lisa) came over to my car in her exercise clothes to chat.  Standing in line at the post office, there were people in their exercise clothes.  I almost hit some poor lady pushing an exercise stroller up a very steep hill.  Still, I was NOT going to exercise.  I walked in the door and turned on the TV and Jennifer Lopez was talking to Rachael Ray about being fit.  "Universe, stop talking to me !  I don't want to hear it!"  

But, I did hear it.  So I succoumbed.  I got on my exercise bike and just did it.  It is now almost 12:00 here and once again, I need to get into the shower and get ready for the day but I did it. Did I enjoy doing it? No.  Did I grumble under my breath while doing it?  Yes.  Am I mad at the universe for guilting me into doing it?  Yes.  Am I glad I did it?  A very begrudging,  yes.  

Kindergarten Physical

This little guy just had his Kindergarten physical.  I hate Kindergarten physicals.  I am glad they test a lot of things on my kids to make sure they are healthy but when you get not so great news, it is no fun.  I like to remain blissfully ignorant of problems.

When my oldest started Kindergarten, I didn't know all that went into a physical and it was during that physical that we learned he had heart mummer (which turned out to be benign and he outgrew it) and that he major problems with his vision, which after patching briefly and now wearing glasses, he is fine.  Yes, I am glad we got the news early, when we could correct the problems but I still hated it.  

So, I dread the physical and don't sleep the night before.  Silly?  Yes.  Fortunately, for this little guy, he passed with flying colors and is even on the growth charts (we make very small people in my house and my kids finally make it on the growth charts around Kindergarten).  Five shots later, he is set for Kindergarten.   

Wedding China

I think I am part of a final generation of people who actually registered for wedding china.  I have noticed that most of my husband's younger siblings and their friends have not done so.  I think this is partly because Target is the "register" place of choice and they don't carry such a thing and also because life has gotten just way more casual. 

So, I did register for wedding china--Alsatia by Noritake.  

Originally, I had registered for a different pattern and as I was leaving the store I saw this and immediately fell in love.  The salad plate is what makes the pattern and every time I see it, I have "that" feeling.

Anyway, we have been married for over 11 years and never used it.  So, this past week, I hosted a dinner for my dad's brothers and sister and their spouses and got this out.  I had enough for the group but not 12 of each, which is what I think is a must-have number.  

So, this past week, I went on-line and ordered the pieces I was missing.  Hopefully, within a few days, I will own 12 dinner and 12 salad plates as well as a gravy server and a round vegetable bowl.  This pattern is discontinued, so I will need to take very good care of it.  

And, now that my kids are older, I need to make sure and use it for those special dinner occasions. 

I am the only one out there who owns china?