Gordan Ramsey Watch Out!

Can you tell I'm home with the kids for the day? I usually blog more when I'm home all day with them. Today was a fun day. We started our day out with running errands at Target. The shopping trip came to an end with a wonderful Target Supports Education Event for Read Across America. They had staff members reading Dr. Seuss books to kids, coloring/activity sheets and goody bags full of treats. Lex and Loki listened to the Cat in the Hat and Lex signed Dr. Seuss's Birthday Card with my help. From there we moved onto Stop and Shop, where we did a little divide and conquer. Mad Dog with the kids and me shopping for the odds and ends we didn't pick up at Target.

The rest of the day was full of play, naps and a little cooking. For Lex's third Birthday we thought we would foster his love of cooking. He is always asking to help, from getting ingredients to mixing the batter to whatever I'm making. He usually runs to get his Home Depot apron when he ready to cook. Because of all of this, I hunted far and wide and found an apron set made in just his size. We bought a container with a handle and place the apron set, complete with wooden spoon, rolling pin, oven mitt, hot pad, tea towel, apron and chef hat.  I also picked up a DK cook book called Cook It Together, a small set of measuring spoons, spatulas and a whisk. He love it. Keeping it in the kitchen so he is ready at a moments notice.

I had planned to ask him to pick a recipe out of the cookbook for us to make today before we went grocery shopping, but in all the craziness that didn't happen. After nap I picked out a recipe and started pulling together the ingredients while Lex played in the living room. Corn Fritters was our first attempt. I chopped up the scallions, separated the egg white/yoke and got everything laid out. Lex prepared by putting on his apron, his hat and he insisted on wearing the oven mitt. We mixed the ingredients, counting the spoonfuls and what each ingredient was. He did very well. Got a little excited mixing things, but it all stayed in the bowl. After finishing the mix, he put the dirty dishes in the sink and put away his apron while I cooked on the stove top.

The final product was very yummy. Lex, Loki and I had them for dinner this evening and saved a few for Mad Dog when he comes home. I think its something I'm going to make time and time again with him. I even dated the bottom of the page of the cookbook, with the date and that it was our first recipe. Something to remember it all by. I think later I might make a cookbook for the recipes we make as a family and the pictures I take of the food and process. I also am going to make Loki a cooking kit, so when she gets older she can get in on the fun.

I think it's one of the most important things I can teach them. I don't want them growing up thinking things come from a box and that the microwave is the only way to cook. I learned a lot from my Grandmother's Kitchen when I was a kid from both my Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. I still remember the smells of that kitchen. I still cook some of the recipes from my childhood. More importantly I find it important that the learn to eat right and eat fresh. I know treats are treats, but they need to learn how to enjoy food. I don't want it to a something the turn to when their bored or upset. I want them to enjoy it for the tastes, the memories it can create and the excitement of trying new things. My Little Chef has started on his way and hopefully down a road of "Good Eats".

Brown Eggs are Local Eggs and Local Eggs are...OMG!

In recent months I have tooting of the horn of local farms, organizations and the eating local concept. This is something that if you continue to read this blog I will probably talk about even more in the upcoming months, since I have made a goal to start purchasing 50% of our groceries from local sources over the next few months.

One of our recent finds is Adams Farm in Athol, MA., or otherwise dubbed as "The Meat Farm" by my friend Stacy. Their meat is amazing and the prices are great. We have worked it that one visit will get us through a months worth of dinners. Along with their meat, we have picked up Eggs from them which come from Diemand Farms in Wendell, MA. Mad Dog picked up two dozen local eggs. When we got home we had a wonderful surprise! These weren't just eggs, these were SUPER EGGS! This caused Mad Dog to say that he thought we might have bought Ostridge eggs. Later when I took a look at the eggs I asked "What the hell size chicken did that come from?" I would also like to note that on more than one occasion, we have had double yokes from these Super Eggs.

When we went grocery shopping today, we needed to pick up a dozen or so, since we are down to our last 5 Super Eggs. This was a great disappointment when I got home and put them away. Looking at todays purchase I found myself unsatisfied. In the photograph taken above, the egg to the left is today's purchase and the egg to the right is the Super Egg. Both eggs were described as Large Brown Eggs, both were about the same price, but the Super Eggs were well - SUPER!

Another reason to shop locally. It's fresh, it's bigger and it's yummier!

Addendum: Stations of the Cross

Mad Dog would like me to make a clarification regarding my post yesterday. When I said he was shocked about me asking my Brother, Kevin to be Lex's Godfather it was more that: A) The church wouldn't allow it and/or B) That Kevin might not want to take part because of the Catholic's Church position on the Gay Community. There was never any doubt that I we want Kevin in that role as Godfather, it was more concerns about ceremony/church. 

Stations of the Cross

There are very few things in life that Mad Dog and I don't see eye to eye about. Religion happens to be one of them. Wait - I shouldn't say that, it's not that we don't see eye to eye about it, it's that we have different feelings about it.

We were both raised Catholic, and both are not practicing. I don't believe with some of the "rules", statements or act that the Catholic Church have made, but I was raised that way. I wouldn't call myself "Spiritual", in fact I can't stand that description. I find it is usually used to describe someone who can't be bothered with formalized/structure religion. I don't claim to be anything but a person who was raised Catholic. I do believe that my Catholic upbringing did shape who I am in some way, and there is not denying that. If anything it taught me a basic right and wrong, which is honestly a miracle since some people within the Church don't even understand it.

When we had Lex, I honestly never thought we weren't going to Baptize him. It was something that we never really talked about and when we did, we both had very strong feelings about why and why not to do it. Mad Dog was shocked that I would want this, and on top of that would ask my brother, Kevin to be Godfather. Since Kevin is a Gay Man and we all know that the Catholic Church is kind of like the US Army - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Mad Dog's Daughter, Gabrielle isn't baptized and she is now living in a confused world of being thrown into Church because is suits her Mother's new life. She doesn't understand anything about it and she isn't being taught anything.

My reason for wanting my children baptized are many and some of them even a little foolish (the whole wrath of God type thing). Most importantly I look at it this way, if the child has no religion, then how can they disagree with it. This doesn't mean we are going to all out on Church, which would be total not be us, but I think that giving the kids some kind of reference for religion would be nice. Mad Dog honestly thinks most of this comes from making my Grandmother happy, because honestly there isn't a day that doesn't go by where we know she doesn't think about it. Even with all her memory problems, she oddly remembers that Loki isn't baptized yet.

Because this have been looming over me this past year, I thought we should get going with this. When Mad Dog and I talked about Godparents we both wanted the same things. With Lex we selected my brothers, Sean and Kevin. I thought selecting both of them created a good balance. I think both of them bring different things to Lex's life and make him more well rounded. Most of all they are both good people, with big hearts.

In selecting Loki's Godparents I wanted to pick people who were going to be in our lives for a long time. I didn't want to pick people who were going to walk out of our lives 2 years form now and not be there as Loki grows up. Most people would think we would go back to family, but that was not the case. We don't have a strong connection with either Mad Dog's brother and sister, not his step-sisters. None of them were ever in the running. The person a the top of the list, was my friend Blue. We have known each other since college, and though our lives don't always allow us to see each other we are still close. She has always been a special part of our family. She is a perfect independent role model for Loki, and bring so many different qualities to this role that I think are sometimes lost in the selection of the type of person for a child's life. Our second selection was another important person in my life, and though they felt they couldn't say yes (because their understanding of the role made the offer a little overwhelming) I am still happy they are apart of our life and hope they will become a strong apart of Loki's life. Our main focus was to pick people who are good people at heart, good role models, strong creative people who care about Loki.

Today Mad Dog called the Church I attended where I grew up. The Church asked some basic questions, one being if the Godparents were apart of the their Church, which is no. In fact, I don't even know if Blue is Catholic. They explained that once the Godparents got a "certificate of eligibility" from their church we could schedule the baptism. This has now thrown a monkey wrench into my plan. We hadn't need this for my Brothers, since Sean was apart of the church and Kevin, well Kevin - it was his "family" church. I am honestly rather annoyed with this outcome. I mean I am trying to do what is "right" having Loki baptized. I wanted to select people who weren't just holiday catholics that show up at church to put change in the collection box and pretend to be practicing Catholics. I mean really.

So, here I am. I have to think this through, find a solution. Regardless of the outcome, Blue and the other person who we select as Loki's Godparent will be her "official" Godparents regardless of that the Catholic Church recognizes. But having said that should the Catholic Church rethink their membership sign-up. I mean this isn't Club Med, or a V.I.P club. There is a decline in members in the Roman Catholic Church, so should they really be making it difficult for those wanting to remain within the church? Should they really being telling people sorry we can't help you, you should go somewhere else. If we haven't turned you off from us by our scandals, our lies and corruption we will turn you away with paperwork. Brilliant marketing plan.

Little Green Loki

I know most people hate Monday mornings. I know I usually do to  point, but today I have a special distain for this Monday.

This morning started out as any other, kids up, breakfast, dressed and cars heated. We were out to door on time, but not as early as we would like. Mad Dog and I both had tummy trouble, but managed to get out the door. Lex, Loki and I filed into my car and headed out. Lex was all worked up about this day, playing his Leapester while Loki was grouchy. So grouchy that Lex had to point out he was happy!

The drive went like any other or so it seemed. I checked back at Loki and noticed she had spit up a little. Not too much, but enough to notice. When I got to Dunkin' Donuts, which I stopped at since I promised Lex if we got out of the store early I got out to clean Loki up. This same thing happened several weeks ago, and after the inital puke, she was fine. I gave her a munchkin and thought we would have the same result as several weeks ago (which was she was perfectly fine). This was not the case. A few bites of the munchkin and she puked again! All over what I had just cleaned up.

I continued on, dropping Lex off at daycare and leaving Loki in the car while I did it. She was not happy, looking very pitiful. Luckily for me, one of the parents from daycare had left a bunch of girls clothes for me. Loki and I headed for my Mom's. She closed her eyes and rested on the short ride over. I went into the house, grabbed a towel and headed out for her, wrapping her in a towel burrito. I cleaned her up and found a shirt in the bag she could wear and an pair of shorts that had been bought for Lex (and never worn). She is playing with Nona right now, and I'm blogging.

I don't know what is setting her off. She has a cold again, nose running and a little cough. We don't know if it's the post-nasual drip and the car ride that sets her off. The two times it has happened these have been the variables. She's quiet now, watching a little tv. Hopefully she is feeling better.

His Name is Lex

There is a little man in my life that has touched my heart and frustrated me all at the same time. From the moment we found out I was pregnant we knew that he was going to be our Little Man. We can't say how, but we knew he was going to be boy. We projected a personality on to this little life, and he has not only lived up to that personality, but he has surpassed it finding his own wonderful ways to amaze us.

Three years ago, I found myself checking into the hospital with Mad Dog with my Mom, brother (Kevin) and Grandmother on their way from Eastern Massachusetts. A day early I was working, preparing for my Zombie Survival seminar I was teaching with a friend at work. At that morning appointment the Doctor said I was ready to go. I was dilated and it could happen anytime. I was two weeks early and just had my baby shower the 3 days before. We weren't ready, and I wasn't ready to leave work. So, the long walks and spicy food would have to wait.

The rush of work that day was intense, and I'm surprise even now that I didn't go into labor there. Power Point presentation, display set-ups and nerves made up the day. That evening we had the most successful non-author event at Barnes & Noble Enfield.  More than 50 people showed and we were surrounded. My partner in crime, Steve and I talked the talk. We got a lot of laughs and even provoked some serious discussion. In another words - We rocked it, to the point where people stayed and asked us questions (even the sicko who asked about "tapping" a zombie - Eww!). It was an amazing feeling and a relief. I had made it through the even with my water. I was told at the end of the night, "Okay, you can go give birth now!" and I did (for the most part).

The next morning I woke at 7ish, thought I felt something and went back to sleep. Ten minutes later I woke up again. Went back to sleep. Ten minutes after that I woke again. Third time is the charm. I thought to myself "maybe I should call someone". I called Mad Dog at work and they called me back 5 minutes later. They (Mad Dog and their Cafe Manager, Sheri) thought I should take a hot shower, to see if this was real and not a false alarm. I took a shower and things continued. Mad Dog rushed home (a whole 5 minutes from BN Holyoke) and we headed to the hospital.

At 5:46 PM that day Lex was born. He was 7 lbs 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Mad Dog welcomed him into the world by saying "Welcome to the human race!" He was so small, and he relied completely on Mad Dog and I. Now, three years later - he is his own person, he doesn't need us for much of anything. He is sedative, telling us when a cartoon character in a movie is sad. He is head strong going back to things time and time again when he can't do it, or he is told not to. He is loving, giving hugs and kisses even to his little sister Loki. He has an imagination and walks that line between reality and the imaginary world like I did as a child. He loves to learn, from cooking to drawing, from science to history (even at age 3) he finds wonder in everything we do. He loves to travel and meet new people (to a fault sometimes). In his three short years, he has attended book signings, CD signings, comic book conventions and flown to Disney land. He has meet the likes of the Barenaked Ladies, Art Baltazar, Jim Lee, Adam Hughes, Mark Waid, Amanda Connor, and had Dan Didio (VP of DC Comics) hold him up to the DC Nation.

I look at him and I see some of my childhood. I see the things missing from it too. My Father, who I know is watching him from afar. My Uncle Jerry, who would see the mischievousness of my Father and myself in him. I see the wonder in all he does. I have hopes for him. He is my Little Chef, my Little Artist and even Little Superhero. He knows how to touch me, and when to let me see myself in him. He knows when He needs to be independent and when he needs to ask for help. He has found his personality and wears it like a t-shirt. You take him or leave him. For those who leave him, they are missing out on a wonder. For those who take him to heart they are better for it and so is he. He knows his family and they know him. He is my Little Monkey, my Little Man, but most of all he is Lex.

My First Love: Reading

According to USA Today, in 2009 the average American spent $102.50 on Valentine's day gifts, which was a 15.6% decrease from 2008. A decrease? In 2009, $14.7 billion would be spent on Valentine's day related purchases, accordingly to BiGresearch. Nearly 91% of people would spend the most, an average of $67.22 on their significant other, with remaining family members getting one-fifth of the budget, $20.95. A few dollars would be sent to friends, $4.74; children's classmates and teachers, $3.59; co-workers, $1.94; and pets, $2.17.  Can you believe this? 

What would this money be spent on? What are the options? With the Nations weight issues spinning out of control should one of those options be chocolate? Shouldn't the Nation be focused on the future of our children, not on a commercial holiday? The Nation currently spends $150 billion dollars a year to treat obesity-related conditions. The Obesity rate has TRIPLED in the past 30 years. This means for the first time in the history of America, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan that their parents. We need to get moving! Because of this First Lady Michelle Obama will be leading a national public awareness effort to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity. Like many of the past First Ladies, Obama has taken an issue to heart and is tackling it head on and in this case personally with her own daughters. First Lady Laura Bush took up literacy in this country, another important and lofty cause. 

With two very important causes, shouldn't we redirect some of that $14.7 million dollars into a different more important celebration? March 2, 2010 is Read Across America and the celebration of Dr. Seuss's Birthday. Shouldn't we redirect funds to this celebration? Instead of buying flowers which will die in a few days, or chocolate which will add to the Nation's $150 billion dollar obesity issue, why not put some of that $67.22 dollars aside for a book for child, or even the adult in your life that you love? For a child a book can open a whole new world of adventures and discovery; for an adult it can open a world of escape and fantasy. If you need suggestions, check-out Books on the Nightstand. Michael, on for the founders and contributors of the blog, has never steered me wrong on a book selection. He has excellent taste and recommendations. 

I know I'm on my soapbox again. I know this, but I'm doing it with a good cause in mind. My kids. I look at Lex and Loki, I worry. I worry about their health, and because of this I'm getting healthy. I've lost 35.6 lbs and I'm planning to keep going. Why, to be there for my kids later in life and to teach them the importance of a healthy life and living. We read to they every day. Why? Because I worry that my learning disabilities will be their downfall or in their future. I want to spark their creativity, their independence and their love of reading. I know they will be clever, but I want insure their book smart too. I want to give them the tools they need for when I'm not around (at any age). 

This Valentine's Day both Lex and Loki will be without chocolate, but will be celebrating with a book each and on March 2nd I plan on leaving them a book to celebrate the love of reading Mad Dog and I are fostering within our home. If you don't make it a habit to read to your children, take a few minutes on March 2nd to do so. If you have time off - take a trip and honor a man that has helped foster the love of reading in so many children by visiting the Dr Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, MA or visit you local library or local bookstore's story hour that Tuesday. Open a book and show your kids what true love is all about. 

Office Gift Contribution Reform Bill

Like so many things in life, work and where you work can be a political mine field of personalities, office politics and just plain stupidity. Anyone who has ever worked any where and has been approached for a "sunshine fund" or asked to buy wrapping paper from their co-workers kid knows that saying no and can be almost as painful as saying yes is to your wallet.

Things that were once nice gestures are now demanded by co-workers. Yes, I have been at both the receiving end and giving end of these types of gestures, but I never would expect it. Even DEMAND it. Where I work now we do a "cake" fund. where we put in $10 dollars and for each persons birthday we get a cake for that month. So, in March (I think am remembering this correctly) I will share my Birthday cake with another person. In January, 3 people shared a cake. I don't have a problem with this. I could have opted out.. I didn't. But then there are the million other things we do collections for from time to time. At Christmas when people have the most hardships, we do Secret Santa, we do a collection for our 3 bosses, and I honestly believe we are expected to give cards/gifts to everyone in some way, shape or form. Again I am apart of these actions. I think that putting in for my bosses, who I like working for and make my life a little easier from time to time is a nice way to say thank you. But I'm sorry I don't expect people to give me a photo card of their kids, when they might have to purchase a completely extra set to do it for the whole team. People don't have the money. I don't expect people to purchase a vase and fill it with greens and holly and bows and put it on my desk. It's nice, but I don't need it to happen.

Back in May when I went out because of my appendicitis two of my co-works sent me flowers in the hospital. This gesture was made by two close friends at work, who knew because of Mad Dog's schedule and how far our family are from us, I would be sitting in the hospital alone and might need some cheering up. They were right, and their gesture had the right sentiment. On arriving home, a box of wonderful cookie (AMAZING COOKIES) was waiting for me and the family to enjoy. This thoughtful gift was sent from the rest of my department team and selected by my supervisor. It was the perfect token, to tell me I was missed and to get well (and back!) soon. I did not expect this. I wouldn't have. I shouldn't have. Even with my ailment being a complete "act of God", which I had not honestly per-knowledge of I didn't expect this!

When collections are take in our department for things like this, it is always stated that you give "what you can". There is no set amount in these cases, they don't figure out what they're going to spend and say "Hey, everyone owes me $15.00." No it is what you can give. And people do give generously, and people give what they can and then there are those people who don't give and yes they are still allowed to sign the card. I've been on the collecting side of a few of these and I know that sometimes the balance is completely out of wack. But if people are giving what they can, who is making up the slack if the money isn't enough?

Recently a co-worker went out for elective surgery. A gift was sent. I will tell you, no collection was taken and this gift was sent out of someones pocket. After the gift was received, this person received an email from our ailing co-worker that the gift was being returned. She questioned the monetary value of the gift and was insulted by it. A better gift was expected? EXPECTED?

These are things that make me want to just go to work, and not socialize outside my cube. It's completely understandable. If the person in the cube next to you feels the need to put a little something on your desk for your birthday, should you be expected to do it in return? Should you have to buy a gift for someone who is rude to you, doesn't talk to you for weeks on end because they had one glimmer of kindness towards you?  I don't think so. I don't think it should be expected. If it is the company should dock your pay and that money would be like a contribution to office politics (like contributions of your tax refund to Massachusetts Aids Fund, or Military Family Relief Fund). I don't think so. I don't think anything should be expected. You don't know what anyone else is going through, what their hardships are and what their life demands of them. The only think you should expect is a paycheck and even in these times thats a privilege too.

The Excuse Factory is Out of Answers and Out of Time

I'm not in the best mood right now, which sucks since I had a good day and had plans to enjoy Lost this evening. This evening while cooking dinner, Mad Dog told me he talked with his Father. I should have know from this point on I was going to be annoyed. He mentioned that Curt started his "Oh - we're going to come for a visit in the next few Tuesdays" act. There was mention of them having a Birthday gift for Lex. Mad Dog at this point mentioned nicely that we were having a birthday party for Lex and that the invite would be received in the next day or so. This of course sent the "Excuse Factory" into overdrive. Sadly the factory has no good copy writers on hand, because the first think out of Curt's mouth is that Louis is on a wait list for a Federal Grand Jury. This means that she has to call in every Friday to see if she has to appear Monday for the Federal Grand Jury. Mad Dog quickly says, "Well, the party is on a Sunday afternoon."  This send the "Excuse Factory" into a red alert, def-con 5. Curt comes back with, we'll you know Louis has been helping Jenn with the new baby - you know she had that "surgery". That "surgery" is called a C-section. Mad Dog say, "Yeah, the same one Kim had!" 

At this point in the story I almost put my hand fist first through the metal casing of our gas stove. Yes, something out of the Terminator or something, because my blood is BOILING. This ignorant man has just tried to use a c-section again us. Us, or I should say ME, who had a c-section, came home to take care of NOT 1 child, but 2 - ALONE, for several days before my body decided to HEMORRHAGE. I bled out. I managed to call an ambulance, talk Michael, my Mother and Brother, Kevin through me being okay and getting them all to Worcester while still keeping myself alive, taking care of and calming Lex and preparing to go the hospital (getting Lex's Monkey friends so he wasn't scared on the ambulance ride) and coordinating the EMTs and Paramedics to take the kids with us while almost passing out from the loss of blood, which I had to have a blood transfusion for, while I should have been home nursing my new baby girl. So you're telling me your Step Daughter can't take care of her own daughter on a Sunday afternoon without her Mother for a few hours while you celebrate your Grandson's 3rd Birthday (and only birthday you would have attended) because she had a surgery and a new born. 

Okay, okay...I know I'm being irrational. I know I'm not human. I've been called a Cyborg. I have USB ports surgically implanted in my skin, and some people have said my Mother formed me from a lump of magic clay, but give me a bloody break (no pun intended)! It's not that hard - people raise kids without help all the time. In fact unless you're the F-ing Duggers don't go looking for sympathy here. There are woman who have children all over the world and then go back to work within moments or days of doing so. Get a back bone and suck it up! If you can't don't bother reproducing! (Yes, it's that simple!)

As I have previously stated when it comes to this subject, that this is the last invite we are extending to this side of Mad Dog's family. If they do not attend Lex's party, they will not be invited to any other functions relating to our family. We are not telling them this, which some people might find unfair. If we tell them it will only be out of guilty or fear that they come, not for Lex. Mad Dog has said if they don't he will explain to Curt that, that was their last invite. We are done with courtesy. 

I am angry, that Lex and Loki don't have my Father here to here, but have this Man who could careless about anyone but himself. A man who claims to be SO hurt by his own children (Mad Dog's Brother and Sister) not wanting him in his life, is so self-centered that he doesn't see the hurt he causes Mad Dog or our kids. I am very grateful for my Mother's Husband Stuart. He is Lex's Papa Stuart. He makes Loki smile and takes them for walks. He loves them and they love him. I am also grateful that my Father is out there, watching over Lex and Loki. Their Papa John protects them and loves them from afar. 

I don't think science should be working on how to pick the sex of your child or the genetic traits our children should have. What it should be doing is working on a way to get ride of the bad traits of the adults in those children's lives. Smoking, drugs and drinking would be a start, but the more important issues are selfishness, coldness, and crudity.  If there is indeed a call for test subjects, I have a few candidates for it.