sucky blogger

I'm not the best at blogging. Ok, I mostly flat out suck at it. I like reading other blogs, mostly about coupons and saving money, but I never have anything to see in my own. I have a "journal" on a message board that I've pretty much abandoned as well. I've been sucked into the quicksand that is Facebook, and I rarely come up for air. Want an update? Here it is in a list!! Like you're surprised.

• Put our house up for sale a few weeks ago. This involves much less computer time as I clean, organize and pack stuff away.
• Looked at a few houses for rent. Loved one, but didn't get there quick enough. Was swarmed by fleas in another. Didn't love that so much.
• Looking at a house across the street from our house today. That'd be really convenient!
• Planning Joey's 2nd birthday party. I can't believe he's almost 2! Well, actually I can, because the terrible twos are in full effect!
• We're having a Sesame Street party for him at my parents' house on the 20th. I'm gathering up ideas right now and will do most of the shopping in the next week.
• I'm annoyed at people who don't RSVP. I need to have some numbers to work with in the planning process!
• Speaking of RSVPing, I'm super-bummed that I can't make it to my BFF's wedding in San Antonio next month. With our living situation up in the air, I just can't justify the airfare, hotel and car rental. Joel'd kill me. Sorry Suze! I love you!
• My Avon biz is like a freakin' roller coaster. I had next to no orders last campaign, but the one before that was HUGE! I hate the lack of consistency, but it's my own fault for not putting the necessary effort into it.
• Another roller coaster of note is my emotional state. Yes, we all know this is nothing new, but the house stress is driving me insane, and not slowly!
• Today marks 8 months since I quit smoking. 8 months, people!! that's 2/3 of a year! I'm impressed. It hasn't been easy.
• Kids are back in school, and I love it. I like the easiness of just me and Joey at home. Also, it makes running errands less chaotic.
• I need to do some fall clothes shopping, but I also need to spend as little money as possible. Sounds like a fun challenge to me!
• Joey and I are doing a 5K walk for Via next Sunday with some friends from my MOMS Club. Feel free to donate here.
• I've gotten a bit of Christmas shopping done already. I ordered some awesome stuffed animals from my good friend Alison. She does amazing work!
• My front teeth hurt. Not cool.

That's all I got, friends. Things are crazy here, but I don't know any other way, so it works. Have a great Labor day weekend!

feeling listy, and random

• today's entire post will be in list form. i need it to keep any semblance of sanity. list making soothes me. i also don't feel like capitalizing.
• today would have been day4 of drinking nothing but water, but i caved. i have coffee in front of me. it's for the good of all those who cross my path, trust me.
• i'll be doing my first book review here on the blog soon. i was so excited to be asked to read and review this book! more on this soon.
• joey is cutting molars. it's been, um, not fun.
• joey also decided we needed to be up early. i disagreed. he won. hence the coffee drinking.
• ethan has straight A's on his midterm report. did i mention that last week? i don't think so. i'm too lazy to check.
• ethan also has a problem with talking back lately. i'm not amused.
• i've had the chance to spend some really good one-on-one time with both josh and darin in the last week. i'm really glad, because that rarely happens.
• i'm so bummed that 3 of my friends are having serious relationship trouble right now. it's sucky, i know, as i've been there. we all have.
• ethan and josh have less than a month of school left! i'm so glad that summer is almost here. remind me of this when they're driving me insane, please.
• i really need to put more effort into my avon biz. i've been lazy.
• i really need to put more effort into cleaning. i've been lazy.
• i really need to stop spending so much money on little things. they add up quick!
• i really need to stop eating so much at night. my belly is expanding like i'm pregnant. i'm not.
• since joey just went down for his nap, i need to get off my butt and do something around here.

Typical Sunday

It's Sunday, so that means cooking and baking here. I'm finally trying out my new, bigger crock pot. It has a 4 lb roast in it as I type, and it smells soooo goog in here! Of course, the apple cake I have in the oven might be helping. This is my very first roast, so we'll see how it turns out. I quarted a few potatos and threw them in as well.

Most Sundays find me making a big meal at home with my best friend Jill. Joel and her fiance Eric are out skating with Jill's brother Louis. I usually have enough food to feed an army ready for when they get back. It works out fine, the boys out playing while Jill & I cook, bake and watch football.

In other news, Joey is a demon child today. He is into everything he can't have. A long nap did nothing but give him more energy to be bad! He's currently trying to climb onto the computer desk.

Anyway, anyone want the apple cake recipe? Here ya' go!

Apple cake:

1 cup sugar
2 cups of chopped apples (about 3 apples)

Cover apples with sugar in large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.

Then add:

1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together.

Spread in 8x8 baking dish for 35-40 minute at 350*


It's really easy and so yummy! We serve it slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.