Road Rage.....

When it's 4 degrees out and the roads are full of black slippery ice, wouldn't it be wise to take it slow when driving? Why do so many people have such road rage while driving.  If a person is going "to slow" in front of you why not just wait until you can easily pass the driver.  Most drivers will either beep the horn or drive on your tail until you move over.  Do you not find this to be rude and quite frankly annoying?  In all honesty when a driver does this to me, I either go slower or just completely ignore the person.

Drivers if you are always completely in a hurry why not leave earlier instead of attacking others on the road.  Of course, we all have those days when we get up late, forget to set the alarm or are just having a tough time getting moving.  However, if you are a person who does this each and every day, then maybe a different routine is needed.  Do drivers even see what their faces look like when they are in the mist of road rage.  It's so ugly, mean,disrespectful and quite frankly they look like idiots.

Today with a 2 hour school delay it seems with the more time we have this morning the harder it was for us to get moving.  I had one of those days when we were all rushing.  I even forgot to give the twins their lunch bags this morning.  I am already late for work and that's quite annoying that I now had to worry about driving back from the bus to grab their lunch bags to drive the bags to school.  In all honestly what can I do, that's a part of life and sometimes you will have days like this.  I still even being as late as I am and cold I took my time on the roads on the way to work.  Why did I take my time? Because my life as a driver and a mom is more important then rushing and getting into an accident.  I thought this post was fitting for today because I experienced a man behind me clearly pissed off I was driving off a off ramp at the speed limit.  He proceeded to drive his car way up my bumper and when I looked in the mirror he was shaking his head like he was having seizure or something.  I of course stayed calm.  Getting upset, angry or even trying to communicate with this driver would only put my life in danger.  Quite frankly he was not worth it nor is anyone acting this way.  So there I am my little self driving along to work on this ramp with a manic behind me, and all I did was simply drive as if nobody was behind me smiling all the way.  Of course, once we were off the ramp the manic quickly puts his blinker on and moves over.  I thought to myself, you see that was simple.  You wait and just move over when you can. 

Here is a picture of what the driver looked like behind me on that ramp:

Enjoy your day and stay safe from road rage drivers!  :)

Looking for new cooking pots & pans....

I decided it is time that I invest in some new pots & pans.  I literally think I have the same set for 15 years.  However the set I have is Calphalon and have held up really well.  I did replace or buy maybe a few small pans in the past which were not Calphalon and they seem to have not lasted all that great.

I am really interested in getting a set of red color pans.  I just love the color red and I think it really dresses up the stove top to see pans in this color.  I did purchase recently a red sauce pan from a Martha Stewart collection from Macy's. The pan is a non stick pan and of course I love the red color.  Here is a picture:

I only purchased two small sauce pans, they are so far holding up great.  The picture is kind of small but I think you all get the idea.  Macy's also has a big selection of Calphalon pans but finding a set of red pans I have not seen. I did find a few sets of Calphalon red pans on-line but not in any Macy's store.  So, the big questions here is, do I go with really great quality pans like a brand name Calphalon.  Or, do I go with trying to dress up my pan collection with my favorite color red?  Considering it's the New Year and I am ready to do different and new exciting decorating venture within my house, I am going to go with the red pans from the Martha Stewart collection.  The greatest part is they are not as expensive as the Calphalon pans.  I know the quality of the pans may not be the same but I figured if I get a few good years from the pans then it would be worth the money. 

How about a red tea pot for my stove top?  I don't usually use a tea pot at all, I prefer to just use my Keurig for tea.  However, I found this really cute red tea pot. 

This is also from Macy's from the Martha Stewart collection.  I think for now I will just stick with the red pans and see how I like them for the next several months.  I know I will get plenty of use out of the pans, as far as the tea pot probably not much at all.


The daisy for today is fitting since it's all about red:

Romance.....

Romance, let's talk about romance.  Everyone wants it but not everyone has romance in their life.  I am not an expert on romance but I know that I do enjoy being romanced.  Hopefully my mother is not reading my blog today.  My mother is a little old fashioned and since I am not married anymore the topic of romance she probably doesn't think I should be discussing.  You don't have to be married to have romance and feel good.

Romance in the beginning of a relationship is usually always wonderful.  Keeping the romance alive and exciting is what becomes challenging as we are in relationships for years. How would I describe romance for me.  I want to connect through communication. If we are communicating  we are connecting.  I find romance in the little things.  Of course, what women does not like to have flowers and diamonds but those gestures are not done on a regular basis.  It's the little natural gestures that make for romance.  Simple as, kind words, grabbing your hand when walking, a hug, a smile.  Here is one I know all of you will love, open the car door. It's a simple kind romantic gesture, simply shows that a man knows how to respect and appreciate a women.  I know some women feel they want be be treated like an equal to their partner.  Being equal and having a man romance you is completely different.  If a man suggests he would never open a car door for this reason, I would keep it moving.....just my opinion.   Being a single working mom of 3 you can't get anymore independent self sufficient then that.  However, opening a car door is a romantic gesture I appreciate from my partner.

One more gesture that I appreciate and couples lack is holding hands.  Whether you are out on a date or just sitting and watching TV.  Holding hands is a great romantic simple gesture that most forget is a great way of connecting and feeling connected to your partner.  Our lives get so busy we sometimes forget the simple things in life that make us all feel good.  Keeping romance and having kind gestures when in a long term relationship keeps your partner connected and appreciated.  

That's it for today.  I could get more detailed and elaborate more about romance but I don't want to shock everyone.  Keeping my first post about Romance very light.

Second day of the storm for the New Year!

Now we are in our second day of the storm of 2014.  The snow is slowly being cleared from all the roads and sidewalks.  Although the freezing temperatures have turned most of the roads into a sheet of ice. What are all of you doing on this day?  Have your Holiday decorations been taken down yet.  That's a great to spend a really cold morning, inside taking down holiday decorations.  I am thankful I took all my outside lights and decorations in before the storm.  For those who forgot I don't think you will be seeing those decorations for quite some time.  My inside decorations have been mostly put away, I like to get this done right after the Christmas holiday. Although, I still have my tree up of course all undecorated waiting for a certain "tall" someone in my life to take it down.  Again one of the disadvantages being challenged in height....:)

What is our next plan today now Saturday afternoon?  Well after my blog me and the children will consider seeing a movie later.  I have to honestly say I am not to keen on driving with all the ice on the roads.  But I figure my later this afternoon it will get better.  Let's think about lunch??

Lunch has been already thought out and made.  I was thinking something light, easy to cook and healthy.  Chicken wrap seems like a great lunch for this second day after the storm.  Let's start with what you need:

Whole Wheat Xtreme Wellness Soft Taco Wraps:

A package of Perdue sliced chicken strips or whatever chicken brand you like to use:
Light Balsamic, I like to use this brand below:

 We are also going to use crouton's to add to our wraps, I like Zesty Italian kind below, this really gives the wrap a nice crunch when you bite into it.

I also like to add some shredded lettuce to the chicken wrap for extra flavor.  I cook the chicken on my stove top in the Light Balsamic for about 20 minutes or until chicken is done.  The cooking time for the chicken will depend on the thickness of the chicken.  Once the chicken is cooked, simple add all your other ingredients and fold up the wrap.

Here is a couple of pictures of the finished wrap.  One of my pictures the wrap has a little hole in it, to avoid this be careful when putting all the ingredients in the wrap.  You can also use a toothpick to help keep the wrap closed.

Looks Yummy!!!!

Now that lunch is made maybe I will take a break from cooking dinner tonight and just order a pizza!!


For my next blog I have been asked to why not spice it up a bit.  Hmmmm, that sounds like fun. Hopefully that gets me more readers and keeps my blogs fresh and interesting.

Have a great day:

First snow storm of the New Year!

I know it's been a while since my last blog.  What have I been doing?  I think the holidays have really wiped me out and have not been on track since then.  Right after the Christmas holiday I caught a very bad cold which turned into bronchitis.  I am still not feeling 100% but each day I get just a little better.  I am trying to rest as much as possible.  But with 3 kids, a job, and about a foot of snow outside....resting is not an easy task.

Let's start with the snow, holy snow did it come down.......Do we really expect to ever get as much snow as predicted?  Well this time we got not only what was predicted but the cold and wind with it.  I am thankful that today I do not have to go to work.  I can stay in my warm house and relax.....Of course after I dig my driveway,stairs,car,walkway out of the snow.  There I go with my little shovel into the snow.  James told me make sure I go out through the garage it will be easier to walk.  I listened of course thinking I couldn't make it down the stairs because I literally  can't see the stairs.

How much snow could there be.......there I go one foot in, holy **** the snow is just about over my boots.  I say a few choice words and start to get to work.  I am clearly not happy about trying to make a path way to reach the car.  What should do first?  Okay here is my plan, attack the car first then the stairs.  Car somewhat accomplished I head for the stairs.   Stairs accomplished and I am freezing my *** off at this point ,while I look over at my neighbor who has a snow blower the size of a car heading in my direction.  I stop, look up as he is smiling and waving at me.  I think to myself, of course your smiling and waving your snow blower is blowing snow at a rate of a bulldozer.  It also has this cover in front of it so none of the snow is hitting his face.  Really, my face is just about covered in snow.  As I keep watching my neighbor I realize he is heading really close in my direction, actually at this point he is clearing my walkway.  Well that's a sign of relief for me at least my walkway will be clear.  Then he stops in front of the house and says if you move your car I will do the driveway.  Well let me tell you, I quickly ran in the house grabbed my car keys and starting trying to move my car out of the way.  Of course the snow won and I got stuck.  Thankfully my wonderful neighbor and I start digging the snow away from the wheels so we can get the car out.  Finally, car is moved and the driveway is getting cleared.  I survived the first snow storm of the New Year, but I could use a really really hot tea!!! I think my legs still have a chill in them from being outside.  What are some of the signs hyperthermia can be setting in?  This is what I found:

How Does Cold Exposure Cause Hypothermia?

During exposure to cold temperatures, most heat loss -- up to 90% -- escapes through your skin; the rest, you exhale from your lungs. Heat loss through the skin happens primarily through radiation and speeds up when skin is exposed to wind or moisture. If cold exposure is due to being immersed in cold water, the movement of waves and water can increase heat loss up to 50%. 

The hypothalamus, the brain's temperature-control center, works to raise body temperature by triggering processes that heat and cool the body. During cold temperature exposure, shivering is a protective response to produce heat through muscle activity. In another heat-preserving response -- called vasoconstriction -- blood vessels temporarily narrow. 

Normally, the activity of the heart and liver produce most of your body heat. But as core body temperature cools, these organs produce less heat, in essence causing a protective "shut down" to preserve heat and protect the brain. Low body temperature can slow brain activity, breathing, and heart rate.

Confusion and fatigue can set in, hampering a person's ability to understand what's happening and make intelligent choices to get to safety.

 Picture of the day:

Sweaters on Dogs......

How many of us love to dress our dogs in cute little sweaters and clothes?  I know many owners make it a point to dress their family pets especially around the holidays.  There are so many sweaters to choice from around the holidays.  Our family photo always includes the dog.  I know many of my friends cards I receive from the holidays have their pets all dressed up and in the family photo.  Where do most of you get your pets sweaters and clothes?  This year I got mine at Petsmart. I also found a big selection of Dog sweaters in Marshals for the holidays. What do you think our pets think of wearing their sweaters?  Dogs with plenty of fur already must find it annoying and hot.  I know my dog Ella Bella has already bitten a hole in her sweater.  Here she is in her holiday sweater giving me her tongue, is this her way of telling me what she thinks of being stuffed in a pink sweater with a bow on it.

I love it!!

I thought why not get few pictures of my friends and family members with their dogs wearing their sweaters.So I sent out a txt asking for some pictures and the response was immediate.  I also mentioned their dogs will be featured in my blog and those pictures came in quickly..  It is great to see how we all truly adore our pets.  There may be one photo I will have to add to another blog of mine and that is the photo of my mom's dog Bo Bear.  When I called my mom and told her about what my blog was about today, she pretty much went into a panic.  She said, "I don't have his holiday sweater yet", you have to wait for me........Of course I would wait but then there is this one other obstacle she has.  My mom does not know how to email a picture from her Ipad.  However, she said she would figure it out.  I don't think my mom is going to get me that picture anytime soon.  So I will be sure and dedicate an entire blog just to my mom's dog Bo Bear.

Moving on, her is my sister's dog Brooke Lynn in her holiday sweater.  She is a Morkie and is only 12 weeks old.  How cute is she!!!!!

Our next featured dog is a Shuh Tzu her name is Dolce. Here is Dolce in her holiday sweater looking adorable!!!

I know Dolce's owner is going to be so excited to have her featured on my blog with her holiday sweater on.

Our last and just as adorable featured dog for today is Rocky.  I know the owner of this dog loves to not only dress up her dog in sweaters but her wine bottles. 

I want to thank all the owners who sent in pictures to add to my blog.  I enjoyed having your pets on my blog and showing off their holiday sweaters.
I may have to have a continued post about this subject once my mom gets me her holiday sweater photo of Bo Bear. 

Sweaters for your wine bottles!

I went to a great party last night with wonderful friends of mine.  We enjoyed great food,deserts and some awesome wine.  My friends like to come up with a theme when hosting their dinner parties.  It really does make the night interesting and fun.  The theme for this dinner party was sweaters for your wine bottles.  Actually it was ugly sweaters for your wine bottles.  I happen to think all the sweaters for the wine bottles are really nice.  Here is a picture of some of the bottles all dressed up in their sweaters for the holidays.

Which one would you say would have one the ugly sweater for your wine bottle contest? I know hard to pick one that is ugly they are all very nice looking to me.  What was underneath the sweaters was also just as appealing.  We had a great assortment of wines to choice from.  Red and white wines are the most popular.  I have to admit I am not a big wine drinking.  I rather take a great bottle of white wine and cook with it.  If I had to choose White or Red wine, I would go with the white.  Most white wines are really light. One of my favorite to cook with is Pinot  Grigio.

Once the winner was picked a great photo moment was taken:

She was very happy to be the winner of the "ugly" sweater contest.  However, look at that sweater on her bottle I happen to think it is really adorable.

Once the night ended how fitting for the wonderful hostess to give out this lovely wine glass ornament for our tree.  I would definitely say this was a night of great friends getting together and wonderful wine tasting as well.