Angel's Tunes

You may notice that I've changed my Blog Playlist (above)...

Do you notice a theme?

I'm open to suggestions on what I can add to the list. Got some ideas? Post them in the comments and I'll see what I can do to add them in!!

I'm the Worst Mother!!

I AM the worst mom and I feel horrible today. Mother's Day was just over one week ago and my kids all let me know how much they love me. The Bee, sweetheart that she is, really goes out of her way to make a person feel special and important, and this Mother's Day was no exception. On top of the beautiful cards she made me in school, she also made little hearts that she scattered throughout the house that have chores written on them that she will do for me. For example, one says: "I will make your bed whenever you ask." And, she has held true to that statement and has made my bed for me.

She also made me the cutest sculpture of a duck out of clay. It was very colorful and came complete with a red tail feather. I say "was" because the duck is no more. We are experiencing very warm weather lately and the duck seemed to be getting rather soft and wouldn't stand up like he used to, so I did a Google search for baking Play-Doh to get the directions so that I could make Bee's duck last forever and forever.

I found what I needed, and popped Mr. Duck into a 300 degree oven for an hour or so. When I went to get him out, this is what I found:

I feel just HORRIBLE. I killed him. The Bee is going to be crushed when I tell her.

In my guilt, I went to the store and bought the most expensive pack of Sculpey Clay they had, complete with a 30 color palette. It is guaranteed to harden in the oven, not melt.

No "Mother of the Year" for me.

"Growing Up Beautifully"

Twelve years ago I became a mother. There I sat, in my hospital bed, holding my pink little bundle wondering how I was going to be able to handle this new stage of life. The fears and anxieties were weighing heavily on me and I felt so inadequate and unprepared.

And, here I am, again with many of those same feelings, wondering how I'm going to handle life as she prepares to leave the nest and make a life of her own. Have I taught her enough? Have I given her enough of the tools she'll need to make it in the world? I'm throwing my daughter to the sharks... is she protected enough? Teenage girls can be so mean and unforgiving... which side of the fence will she be on?

She had an interview for advancement with the bishop today. When they were finished he walked out of the office with her and, with a smile, said to me, "She is growing up beautifully." The comment bolstered me up a bit, thinking that maybe I did okay as a mother and that she'll be fine. Though, Ithink I'll always worry. That's my job. I'm a mom.

Happy Birthday, Skins.

The Universe is Out to Get Me!!

It's happened again.

Just like with Lime Pepsi, Queso/Jalepeno Kettle Chips, Bounty Bars (not sold in U.S.) Bernstein's Italian Dressing... and now with the most fabulous, delicious, mintiest little candy ever made... Mint Crisp M&Ms.

http://www.m-ms.com/us/about/products/mint/

I was shopping for a gift for my mom on Mother's Day when I came across a green bag of M&Ms with Indiana Jones on the packaging. Intrigued, I bought a bag. It was love at first taste. I went to get more and stock up and THEY ARE GONE!!

I know the package says: Limited Edition, but I didn't expect it to last a WEEK. Grrrrrrr.

What the heck? Why is the universe out to get me?

I'm fearful of ever saying I love another product ever again because inevitably it will be immediately discontinued. I'm jinxed, I tell ya!! :o(

Harsh Disappointment

On Saturday Squeaker, age 7, had an audition to be in a DVD production that the Foundation I work for is producing. She has practiced her part for weeks and had it down-pat. The audition was at a studio downtown and when we arrived the room was packed with other kids who were also auditioning (some for her part, and some for other parts). I'm sure I was more nervous than Squeaker was, and I asked the producer if I would be able to go into the room with her when she went in. I was told no. I worried that without my presence there that she would freeze up and act shy.

I needn't have worried. She walked in without looking back at me and the door closed. I could hear her voice through the door and with confidence she said her name and jumped right in - exuding all the personality she has (which is quite a lot!) into the lines.

She came out of the room all smiles, confident that she did a good job. I caught the looks of the producers and they too were smiling. I felt that she had the part in the bag.

Earlier this morning I got word that she was in the final 2 for deciding - the other kids auditioning for her part were cut. She was as good as in!!

But, I just got off the phone with the producers. They went with the other kid. They didn't choose Squeaker. I graciously thanked them for the opportunity and hung up the phone.

Because I am doing work for the Foundation who is sponsoring this DVD, I called my boss to talk to him about the audition and to see if he could give me some inside information on why Squeaker wasn't chosen. When he heard the news he was just as disappointed as I am, but he gave me a possible explanation: They needed a boy. The other child was a boy and the DVD needs an equal mix of boys and girls. The boys who auditioned for the older parts weren't very good, meaning that it came down to needing a younger boy. Bam! The Squeak gets bumped.

She is going to be so sad when she gets home from school today and I tell her. Dangit.

We really need some good news around here... anyone got any??

The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Week

Yeah, that's what I had - a terrible horrible no good very bad week. The kind that can only come with emotional turmoil.

Hopefully, with faith, everything is on the upswing.

Next week will bring smiles and happy blogging. So, until then....

Sigh.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

It's Cinco de Mayo, so in commemoration I decided to make a Mexican dinner. I made chicken enchiliadas, mexican rice and pina coladas (without the rum, of course). I intended to also make churros for dessert, but I'm tuckered out from cooking and then cleaning the kitchen. I'm done for tonight.

In the past, I've always made mexican rice from a box (Rica-A-Roni is decent as a side dish) but tonight I wanted to do it as authentic as I could. My husband served a mission in Mexico, so he holds a special place in his heart for the food (as long as it's not rice and beans 24/7). I am including the rice recipe with my blog tonight because it is just so yummy. Even my kids liked it. My 7-year-old commented that this was "the best dinner ever" and that I'm a "really good cooker." It wasn't THAT good of a meal, but I'll take a compliment when I can. :)

Mexican (Spanish) Rice

2 T vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small clove garlic, minced
2 cups water (chicken broth is better)
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes w/green chilies
2 teaspoons chili powder (or to taste)
1 teaspoon salt

1. Heat oil in deep skillet over medium heat. Saute bell pepper, onion, and garlic until tender, add rice and saute until the rice is turning brown.

2. Stir in water (broth) and tomatoes. Season with chili powder and salt. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

It's better than what you buy in a box, and you can make a lot more. I wish I would have doubled this recipe so that I would have some for lunch tomorrow!! Mmmmmm.

Sabrosa!