Because Fish Need Fresh Breath, Too

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, you have to live in a cave if you haven't heard about all of the famous ones who passed away last week. Somehow, in a really weird way, I am sadden by the loss of the gloved one. Yes, I know he wasn't the same man that danced the night away in the music video, "Thriller." But, who doesn't remember where they were when they watched that magical video? And, you know you had a Beat It jacket. Come on, fess up. Mine was a knock off. HAD to have one. It remained in my closet and collected dust. I mean, let's face it, this white girl couldn't pull off that look. (Honestly, who could?) I think it had something to do with the fact that I lived in the suburbs, didn't make millions of dollars, and didn't have my own entourage following me around. Oh, and I didn't wear one white glove everywhere I went and toss it into a crowd of my fans. My only fans were my parents and my mom always wanted to know where the other glove was...

But, all of this talk of death has me revisiting a tragedy that happened in our home a few years ago. Get your tissues handy...

Dimples has always wanted a pet of his own. We have a cat, but Mocha has never counted in Dimples' book. Mocha is 18 years old now. His idea of fun is a bowl full of food, a little gentle petting, long naps all day long, and a clean cat box (which we may or may not provide on a regular basis). So, my parents came to Dimples' rescue a few years back.

What do you get a boy who wants his own pet and thinks his cat is a bore? Why, a fish, of course! Because THEY live an exciting life of...eating and swimming in circles?

He promptly named him MAC. He loved Mac. Why, I will never know. Mac "hung" out in the kitchen. Dimples spent a lot of time watching him swim around, proud to call Mac his own. Bruiser was also infatuated with Mac. Bruiser was all of 2 years old. Both of the boys wanted to take turns feeding Mac. It always made me nervous because they were certain that Mac needed a 4 course meal. So, under much supervision, they were allowed to feed the fish.

One day, after the boys had been tucked into bed, I found our brilliant fish with a fishbowl FULL of food and he was gorging himself. He was on a mission to eat every last flake. Apparently, Bruiser had climbed up onto the counter and gotten into the cabinet where we had carefully placed Mac's food and dumped the entire container into the fishbowl. Nurse Boy and I went into quick action to save the dumb fish. We were determined to rid the scene of evidence.

This was not about the fish. It was about avoiding the tears of our first born.

It was too late. We awoke to a dead fish. We decided to do what every honest parent would do in this situation. We called my parents and told them to head to the pet store STAT. They were instructed to show up on our doorstep with a healthy, blue beta fish named Mac. Oh, and some fish food, because we were out.

And, they did. And, Dimples bought it hook, line, and sinker. We all breathed a sigh of relief. Why was lying so wrong? Who wants to listen to tears over something that can be flushed down the toilet. No harm, no foul. Right?

Wrong! All was well for a few more weeks. Until Bruiser climbed up onto the counter again. No, we didn't keep the fish food in the same cabinet. We had learned our lesson and hid it well. However, someone had put Tic Tacs in the same exact spot where the fish food had previously been. That's right. We are brilliant like that. That day, I found Bruiser hovering over the fish bowl with an empty container of mints. Mac was swimming, very slowly, in orange sugar water. Bruiser proudly announced, "I feed Mac." Yeah, so I see.

I scooped Mac out of there and promptly cleaned his bowl. Since I was such an honest, open parent, I was prepared to erase any evidence of the breath mints swimming in the bowl with Mac. When Dimples entered the kitchen, I calmly told him I was cleaning the bowl for Mac. After all, we all like to be in a clean home.

Yeah, I was too late, yet again. We decided that we couldn't keep running to the pet store for more Macs. Or, could we? No, that would be too dishonest. We let poor Dimples face the music. However, we never told him why Mac died. We decided we shouldn't let him know that his own brother killed his pet. Twice.

Because we are honest parents like that.

Hopefully, our kids will have better morals than we do...

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Well, it is Monday...ALREADY. Is it just me, or do the weekends go by faster and faster the older you get? Not that I am getting old. Nope. I still think I am 25. Until I look in the mirror. But, I am still well under 40 and I am staying here. I remember giving my mom a tombstone cake for her 40th birthday. I thought I was SOOOOO funny. Yeah, right. I was hilarious. Man, I don't want my payback for that one.

OK, I am getting ahead of my own random thoughts. That previous one was a bonus. Or a plea to pray for my mother since she has to put up with a daughter like me. I'll let you decide.

Alright. My random thoughts and reflections:

**I am really starting to hate summer for the simple reason that my hair wants to FRIZZ. Yeah, it is real attractive. Outdoor weddings are my worst nightmare.

**We did go to a wedding the other week. Without the kids. (Can I get a "Hallelujah"?) Nurse Boy and I counted it as a date. We ended up sitting at a table where we were considered the "young whipper snappers." (Whatever those are...) Honestly, we would have heard more of the wedding toasts if we had been sitting with all 3 of our kids. Fred and Ethel kept shouting back and forth: "Who is toasting the couple?" "Oh, he must be the bride's father." " What is he saying?" We just smiled while we were forced to listen to their conversation, rather than the emotional toasts honoring the newly married couple.

**Man, it is so much easier to quiet someone down if you can threaten bodily harm just by giving "the look." Not that we would ever do that.

**Speaking of growing old, we took the kids to see the Disney/Pixar movie, UP! Oh. My. Word. I loved that movie. However, I was not prepared to cry as much as I did. The ugly cry was trying to rear it's ugly head several times. It was such a sweet, clean movie. And, it made me think about growing old with Nurse Boy.

**Man, I should have been more patient with Fred and Ethel.

**I have been trying to keep the kids entertained this summer. Do any of you ever feel like it is never enough? The busier our day, the more they seem to expect the next day. I think I need a nanny. Not to mention a maid. Oh, and a cook. It is not easy keeping them all entertained, fed, and in clean clothes.

**We won't even talk about the state of my kitchen or carpets. No, we will not.

**Nurse Boy is taking a summer class and it is keeping him very busy. I am so proud of him. Is it wrong that I am also thrilled it isn't me who is currently in school?

**Since I am not working (outside of the home) or going to school (studying anything above 4th grade level), maybe I should go take care of my kitchen and the carpets.

Then again, maybe I SHOULD go back to school...

Show Us Where You Live Friday! (Plus a Midnight Snack)

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Well, it is time for Show Us Where You Live Friday over at kellyskornerblog.com. This week we are touring Master Bedrooms.

If you have ever bought a house, you surely remember the hunt for the perfect house. Then, you realized that there isn't a "perfect" house. At least, not in your price range. Or, is that just me?

When we bought this house, we were looking for a larger, more family friendly house. We had two kids and were planning on one more. We wanted a playroom and spacious bedrooms for the kids (since they would likely be sharing down the road). We also wanted a family room where we could entertain family and friends and host Bible Studies. Our priority was our kids, our family, and our friends.

So, we had to sacrifice somewhere.

It was the master bedroom and bathroom that would suffer. As a matter of a fact...wait for it...we don't have a master bath. GASP! Trust me, I wish we did. Once Nurse Boy is a Nurse Practitioner, that is a HUGE priority around here! I DO NOT plan to share a bathroom with 2 teenage boys.

No. Thank. You.

But, come on into our humble bedroom...

It is cozy.

It is actually a room that I love to come to and relax.

Can you tell I am a fan of neutral colors?

I am obsessed with comforters and I get a new one almost every year. I love this one (so far).

The good thing about a small room is the simple fact that there isn't any room for clutter!

These are the his and her closets. Small and pathetic, I know! But, we make it work.

I also highly recommend stashing (and using!) a couples devotional in your room. We feel so much closer to one another when we commit to doing these nightly! Nightlight by the Dobsons is another one I recommend.

OK, so now I need to be completely honest. Sometimes this room is used...

by Sweet Pea to try on mommy's shoes.

All. Of. Them.

When mommy isn't looking.

And, sometimes I throw the clean laundry on the bed for the laundry fairy to come and fold. However, this is what often happens.

Did you know that you could play hide-n-seek in the midst of clean clothes? Don't answer that.

Yeah, it really helps out with the wrinkles.

Sometimes Nurse Boy even searches for a midnight snack to bring into the bedroom. How about some Peanut Butter Cereal Bars?

Just take 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup light corn syrup, and 1 cup of sugar and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and mix in 4 cups of cheerios and 2 cups of rice cereal. Press into a 13x9 pan. Let cool and sneak them into bed late at night.

Whatever you do, don't let the kids see you.

Thanks for stopping by!

If you give a kid a cookie...

they will probably expect to snack on them all summer long.

Truth be told, they are not the only ones around here that enjoy a good cookie. I am always on the hunt for healthy cookie recipes. OK, so maybe "healthy" and cookie seem like a little bit of an oxymoron, but you know what I mean...something with whole grains, wheat flour, less sugar, etc.

A few years ago I got my hands on a recipe that we enjoy pretty often around here. I still am on the fence as to whether or not they are "healthy." How about "healthier?" They do have some protein, fiber, and calcium packed into these babies.

Since the kids are home for the summer and seem to be asking for a snack ALL the time (and, please tell me it's not just MY kids), I thought I would share a family favorite.

Banana Bread Cookies

1 cup (2 large) ripe bananas (I usually use 3 large bananas)

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup whole-wheat flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat bananas, brown sugar, honey, oil, and egg until well-combined.

2. Add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined.

3. Stir in chocolate.

4. Drop tablespoons of batter onto greased baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until cookies are golden-brown.

These are really different and definitely remind you of banana bread. They are a soft cookie with substance. We love having them around. They also freeze well, so you will often find a bag or two of these in my freezer.

Hope you love them as much as we do!

Oh. No. She. Didn't.

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, yesterday, she said it. Right there in the comments of my last post. She said IT. I tried to ignore it, but I couldn't. I tried to pretend I didn't read it, but I had.

Right there in black and white.

What did she say? Who said what, you ask?

If only it were that simple.

Most of my adult life people have said, "Don't I know you?" "Really, I DO know you from somewhere." "There is something so familiar about you." "Are you sure we haven't met before?" "Oh, we HAVE met before. I recognize you." "Not sure where we have met, but I know we have." "You look so familiar, maybe I know your mother?"

But, I don't know any of them. Not a one. Nope. Not even when they argue with me, do I remember ever having met them. Not a single one of them. I have moved around so much throughout my life, it is almost impossible for me to even run into someone I once knew from high school, much less middle school. You see, I don't know them and they don't know me. Really, they don't. But, they feel like they do.

It is because I apparently look like someone famous. Well, mildly famous. Famous in the world of Christian music. I think she is my mother's age and, frankly, she looks more like my mother than my very own real life mother. Go ahead, go SEE for yourself!

I know, I know. I look like Sandi Patty. Trust me, I DON'T sound like her. Not one little bit, thus confirming that I am not of her flesh and blood. But, it took me several years to figure this one out. One of my friends finally told me how much I looked like a younger Sandi Patty and that she noticed it the very first time we met. Then I started to wonder about the simple fact that I must look so ordinary that everyone and their mother seems to think they know me. Maybe it wasn't because I looked so ordinary, after all. I looked like someone famous. After that, when someone started the creepy dialogue of how they really do know me and they must figure out how our paths crossed in a "previous lifetime," I bust out with the whole Sandi Patty theory. I usually hit the nail on the head.

Sandi Patty is OK. Surprisingly, I am not familiar with her music. I wasn't raised in a Christian home and we never listened to Christian music. She looks alright. Yep, I got her nose. Nothing to brag about there. Yep, we both dye our hair some form of blonde/light brown. Boring. Yep, we both seem to share the same figure flaws. Ya know, not fitting into a size 2 now or ever. Not in her lifetime, not in mine. (And, I am being kind to the both of us on that one.) She is alright. (I am sure she is an awesome Christian woman who desires to glorify God in all that she does. THAT I wouldn't mind be mistaken for...EVER.)

But, honestly? Ya all want to mistake me for looking like SANDI PATTY?!?! Not someone hot, young, and sexy? Not, Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? I'll even take Christie Brinkley, Cindy Crawford, or ANY model on the cover of any parenting magazine? Yeah, I know I am lying to myself. But, this is not something I brag about. Nope, we just keep it under wraps. Now that I have shared this with all of you, we must never speak of this again.

Got it, Lisa?

Never again. ;0)

Monday's Random Musings

Today is a special Father's Day Edition.

I am married to the best father. I couldn't have chosen a more perfect father for my children. Nurse Boy is loving, kind, thoughtful, patient, and fun when it comes to our kids. When he is around, our family is complete. He is the fun, spontaneous one of the two of us. Most evenings you can find him squeezing in some time for wrestle mania with Dimples and Bruiser before he hits the books. Sweet Pea is usually on the sidelines cheering them on. Some nights she refuses to be left out, only to find herself in the middle of mayhem and foolishness.

Sure, it always ends with someone crying. Or something getting broken. Or me yelling. (But, I NEVER yell, so I am pretty certain it seldom ends that way. Stop laughing, Nurse Boy!) But, the kids LOVE spending time with their Dad. I am positive that they will remember the wrestling and not the broken lamp. (We won't talk about what I will remember.)

I am so proud of the father Nurse Boy has become. I pray that one day Dimples and Bruiser will look to their father when it is time for them join in the game of parenting. I also hope that Sweet Pea will look for a husband with similar qualities that I found in Nurse Boy.

Happy Father's Day, Nurse Boy!

Some random reasons why Nurse Boy is loved so much around here:

Dimples says:

He cares for me. Some kids don't have dads who care for them, but I do.

Every time he sees me, he always has a smile on his face.

He takes me fun places that I like to go.

He spends lots of time with me.

He is really fun. He even has fun with my friends when they come over.

Bruiser says:

He does fun stuff with me.

He takes me to the pool.

He lets me watch him work on stuff and lets me help him.

He is the best dad in the whole world.

Sweet Pea says:

He dances with me.

He hugs and kisses me all the time.

He is really lousy when armed with a comb and a ponytail holder.
(So, maybe she had a little help with this...)

Happy Father's Day to Papa and Grandpa as well! My children are blessed with caring and loving grandparents on both sides. Thanks for all of your love and support!

I hope everyone had a Happy Father's Day and had a father or role model to spend it with.

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, my last post inspired me to take another trip down memory lane. But, you came here for dinner ideas? I'll get to that! Trust me.

It was the summer between 3rd and 4th grade. I was going to change schools. I wasn't happy about it. I thought it was going to be a boring summer. We weren't even going on vacation. I was driving my mother crazy. My father was very busy with work. Poor me.

Wow! THAT sounds just like my Dimples.

He will be going to a different school next year. Not at all his idea. (I will most likely blog about that later. You will most likely be bored.) He already thinks his summer has been boring. We aren't going on a traditional vacation. He is driving me a little crazy. His father is very busy with work and school. Poor him.

Not really. But, I'll humor him from time to time.

My mother's solution was to sign me up for a "Kids In Our Kitchen" class at our local community hospital. I didn't know another soul. It was an entire week, 2 hours each morning, where we were taught everything we needed to know to make some of the basics SAFELY in the kitchen.

Truth be told, I had a little chip on my shoulder and did not think this class would spice up my summer. My mother didn't care. I thought she was crazy. I now think just like her. Go figure!

Anyway, I learned how to cook that summer and my mother found a little more freedom. Sometimes she would ask for my help in the kitchen and I was actually helpful. Other times she would ask if I wanted to cook dinner. Of course she helped a little, but I really could cook.

A few years later she would find herself working some evening hours and I think she was a little relieved that I had some skills in the kitchen. My father is a HORRIBLE cook. Always has been and I think he is determined to remain. The man can clean and do laundry, though, so we cut him some slack. But, what he does to chicken breasts should be a crime. So, I was able to help out and most of our dinners were eatable.

Still today, some of my favorite recipes require me to dig out my "Kids in Our Kitchen" cookbook. Today I will share one of my family's favorites. This recipe is so easy, Nurse Boy has even been known to whip up a couple of batches all by himself.

And, that IS saying a lot.

(We are still holding out hope for my father.)

Oven Pancakes

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoon butter or margarine

3 eggs

1/2 cup flour (I normally like to use wheat flour, but the white flour really is the tastiest in this recipe. But, you CAN use wheat. It will just have a different texture.)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Beat the eggs well.

2. Next, add flour and salt. Beat until smooth.

3. Melt the butter in the microwave and pour it into the egg mixture. Add the milk and beat until smooth.

4. Pour mixture into a large, well greased oven-proof frying pan or dish. (I use a deep pie plate.)

5. Bake for 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then turn the temperature of the oven down to 350 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar! (You can also top with honey, jam, or syrup.) Cut into wedges and enjoy. So good for ANY meal!

Maybe I should sign Dimples up for some classes? I really COULD use a break around here...

Because Everyone Should Own a Baby With a Signature On It's Rump

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Today I am "chiming in" with my friend Lisa over at BoondockRamblings.com.

The topic? A toy from childhood.

Let me begin by saying that I am a child of the 80's. Or, should I say the 90's? I remember the 90's the most. Actually, I don't know which decade best describes me. I graduated from high school in 1992, so I think that makes me a late 80's, early 90's kind of gal.

I actually did a little googling to see which decade describes my childhood. I discovered it was in the 80's that they decided seat belts were good and smoking was bad. Like, duh! The 80's were also known for shoulder pads and big hair. Now we're talking! I was queen of the BIG bangs. Can you say, "Aqua Net?" Oh, yeah. Good times. And, good thing I knew smoking was bad, because I could have caught my hair on fire in, like, 2 seconds flat!

But, I did tease my hair and made sure my shoulder pads were properly placed on my way to watch 90210 with a group of friends every Thursday night.

THAT was so 90's.

And, let's not forget about watching Seinfeld and Friends in my college apartment. Nurse Boy and I were so Ross and Rachel. Until he cheated, that is. (Ross, not Nurse Boy.) But, Nurse Boy wasn't as nerdy as Ross and I wasn't as pretty as Rachel. And, we were college students living in Bloomington, IN. Come to think of it, never mind.

My point...and, believe it or not, I do have one...I think I am a child of both the 80's and the 90's, but was born in the 70's.

I was entering my preteen years when our nation entered the Cabbage Patch Kid craze. It was a time when the stores couldn't keep them in stock. It was a time when women and children were willing to trample anyone or anything that might prevent them from purchasing one of those treasured dolls with a signature on it's plush rump.

Of course, I wanted one. Had to have one, in fact. I had a doll collection and it seemed only natural to add a Cabbage Patch Doll to the mix of plastic faces on display in my room.

I got my doll in 1984. My parents payed $28.88. That was a lot of money for a doll in 1984. Frankly, I think you can buy them for a lot less today.

I know, I know. It's not the same.

Plus, you don't have to trample anyone to buy one. Bummer.

My doll came with the name, Genevieve Kacie. She stayed in her box until last weekend. Yes, you read that right. Remember, she was a part of my doll collection. I decided to keep her in excellent condition in hopes that she would increase in value over time. Maybe she would pay for my first car.

Hey, I was young. Don't laugh. It was my first "investment."

Last Saturday I took Baby "Gen" out of her yellowed box and handed her to Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea's entire face lit up and the two of them have been inseparable ever since.

I think Baby Gen is thrilled to be out of her box. It turns out she WAS worth more than I thought.

After all, 25 years later, she put a smile on my daughter's face.

My Little Loser

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

We have some exciting news! VERY exciting news! At least Bruiser thinks so.

The other day we were eating lunch. For some bizarre reason, I started snapping photos of the kids. Here you can see that Bruiser was getting ready to take yet another bite of this juicy peach. (You'll also notice, by his messy face, that he was indeed "enjoying" his peach. You gotta love a boy that "enjoys" his food. And, I would, but I have to do his laundry.)

Next thing we know, THIS happened! He finally lost his first tooth. He couldn't contain his excitement! He was BEAMING!

Even though there was some blood. (He is usually terrified at the sight of blood. He will NOT be our next Nurse Boy.)

STILL BEAMING!

That is simply the cutest smile EVER!!!!

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

Is it Monday, already? Really? But, I never had a chance to get some extra sleep, or deep clean the house, or meal plan for the week. I guess I know what I'll be doing today...except for the extra sleep part...I am thinking I can catch up on that in 2020. Here's hoping!

On to my random thoughts of the week...

* Paper plates are my new best friends. I am not a fan of using paper plates on a daily basis, (or even a regular basis) but I found a huge package on clearance and I AM IN LOVE. Now to get the kids to pick them up at the end of a meal and throw them away before they run off to the sandbox for the 33rd time that day. Seriously, it is a 3 foot walk. How hard can that be?

* Don't answer that.

* Now I need to invest in disposable clothes and work myself out of a job around here.

* We survived our garage sale. Barely. Why does it always wipe me out? But, we made a pretty decent amount considering we sold our JUNK. Our basement looks so much better. Now, nothing new can be brought in. Ha! (You and I both know I will be the one to break that rule.)

* Sweet Pea did part with some of her old toys. The toys that she hasn't played with for months. Until she saw a price tag on them last week. She gave a few little girls the "evil eye" as they skipped down our driveway with their new found treasures. Hey, I didn't say she did it joyfully.

* Dimples got a new bike from Bubby and Papa this weekend. Is it stupid that I want to cry? When did my baby turn into a 9 year old? His bike is almost as big as mine. I am pretty certain that he will be taller than me by next year. He is growing up and I am not ready.

* The other day Sweet Pea said something funny at dinner. It was so funny that Nurse Boy and I were crying through our laughter. Bruiser, not missing a beat, shouts, "Mom, you should put that on your blog!"

* Hi, my name is Mrs. Nurse Boy and I am addicted to blogging.

* Bruiser has also asked me if he can have my blog when I die. That is about 8 kinds of wrong.

* On a more mature note...is that possible around here? We became members of our new church this weekend. I cannot describe how good that felt. I am excited for our future there...whatever it will be. It feels good to be plugged back in and to know that we are where we are supposed to be. It has been a big step for our entire family. A painful, difficult, exciting, positive, eye opening step. It is a relief that the decision is made and we are adjusting. Actually, it is refreshing.

Happy Monday!!!

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It is Friday and we have had a long week. Sweet Pea started the week off with a GI bug that wore the both of us out and then we ended the week with yet another garage sale.

I just love it when I can make money on my JUNK! It simply makes my day. Plus, I love to purge. I hate to fill the basement, garage, and closets with things we "might" need in the future. Nope. Not going to do it.

I remember a sermon from a long time ago when we discussed that one might own too much stuff if you can't maintain everything you own. Honestly, I think that is a tall order since my van seems to always resemble a dumpster on wheels, but it is time to get rid of the stuff that has remained dusty all year.

On to dinner for tonight. I need something easy and simple. Today I am using BEEF. After all, it's what's for dinner! I kind of stole this from Rachel Ray, but I simplified it. She rambled on about homemade dough, some sort of egg wash, and certified organic ingredients.

Whatever.

She doesn't have three kids who are certain they are STARVING once she starts to cook dinner.

What does she know?

Cheeseburger Roll Up
Ingredients for one Roll Up:
About 1 lb of lean ground beef
Ketchup
Mustard
Relish
Grated Cheese
Pizza Dough in a tube--how is that for easy, Rachel Ray?

First, brown your ground beef. While it is cooking, add whatever you would normally add to flavor your burgers. For me, that is dried parsley, dried onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Once it is browned, remove from heat and drain any fat that might be left in the pan.


Next, add ketchup, mustard, and relish to taste. Mix well. Go ahead! Taste it!

Now, roll out your dough and cover it with about a pound of the prepared beef, leaving about an inch all around. I know, you can tell I am no Rachel Ray by looking at the picture. Can you say, "IN A HURRY?"

Add cheese. YUMMO! Tuck the top and bottom. Now, roll from left to right until it looks like this:

This is where she rambled on about some egg wash. I just put two slits in the top and made sure the seam was on the bottom.

Bake according to the instructions on the tube you just threw in the trash.

That's right.

Go dig it out of the trash can.


Here is the finished product. We had it with roasted veggies. It really tastes like a cheeseburger. You can even make extra and freeze a roll up or two!

Now I am hungry. Hope you all have an awesome weekend!

Wanna Sleeper Sofa?

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

This is what we are doing today! Having a garage sale. Everything is priced to sale. The dust is free.

Notice how Sweet Pea is "shopping"? She is having a hard time parting with some of her precious toys that she hasn't played with during the last year. Until today.

Oh, and do we have clothes!!!


The boys are running a little baked goods stand. They are raising money for a local charity. I got this idea from my friend Ruby Red Slippers. It keeps them busy and feeling useful. They have made over $20 so far. They are so proud!

Sweet Pea would be their best customer. If only she earned an allowance.

I mean, how could you resist this face?!

(I personally think he is going to make more then his parents, who have a driveway full of stuff.)

I Guess I Am Awe-summm~ Who Knew?!

I received this award from a new bloggy friend a few weeks back. Go over and meet Jillian at It All Began With a Man in a Black Jeep. She is expecting her first baby any day now!

The Rules:

1. List 7 things that make me Awe-Summm.

2. Pass the award onto 7 bloggers that I love.

3. Tag those bloggers to let them know they are now Queens too (and link back to the Queen who tagged you).

Well, I am not one who likes to toot my own horn, but then again, who does?! OK, we all know some people who do and THAT is why many of us are afraid to do the same thing...

Here it goes!

1. I can clean a bathroom faster than a speeding bullet. And, don't even get me started on how fast I can fill a shopping cart.

2. My skin is so pasty white that my dad often says that I am a little "too white." You will not see me with a tan. Ever. It is impossible. Sunburns on the other hand...

3. I think talking on the phone should be an Olympic sport and I would win the gold medal.

4. I am smarter than 90 percent of the people on reality TV. (I should know, since I love me some good, clean reality TV.) And, yes, I realize that isn't saying much...

5. I believe bigger is better when it comes to jewelry, especially diamonds. Love them!

6. I have "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown memorized. I am holding out hope that this will somehow come in handy when I decide to enter back into the professional world. Here's hoping... but, I have my doubts.

7. I am obsessed with vacuuming and love my Dyson (also known as Derek) way more than I should.

Now to tag some friends who are Awe-summm:

Mummy McTavish over at Samster.com. If you read the comments on our blog, you already know that her comments are funnier than our posts. Hands down.

Lisa over at Boondock Ramblings. She has me in stitches most days. Plus, you often get to see pictures of her precious little boy.

Boy Mom over at Boys R Us. Another awe-summm commenter and someone I consider a friend, even though we haven't met in real life. Yet.

Tiffany over at Rural Chaos . Another new discovery. I love that she is probably the polar opposite of me. She lives in the country and thinks pigs are cute...not to mention the other small creatures that she runs into on a daily basis.

Mother Mayhem is another woman I enjoy checking in on. She is such a loving mother!

And, I can't forget Suz. She is best friends with Boy Mom in real life. I can't wait until I get to be their third wheel. Plus, she makes the most adorable cakes!

I hope everyone has an AWE-SUMMMM DAY!!!!

Monday's Random Musings

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

This weekend was full of fun, food, and too much sun. We had our local fair and spent most of the weekend enjoying what marks our official start to summer. Today, I will share some random moments from our action packed weekend...

Saturday we started off with the parade. The kids were lined up next to the street and armed with bags to collect their junk, oops, I mean loot. We are stocked up on suckers and tootsie rolls for the summer. Aren't you jealous?


Bruiser was STILL a little bit afraid of the sirens and some of the costumes. Sweet Pea? Not so much. This boy cracks me up! He is my wild, yet sensitive one.

We also spent Saturday with Sweet Pea's future husband. Yes, we have an arranged marriage planned for these two!



Look what we spotted! Some homegrown crack!

(I would just like to say that, "Crack is whack!")

We rode some rides. Of course, I only have a picture of Sweet Pea since I was scoping out the craft booths while all of the boys rode the rickety rides. Plus, I can't watch them ride those "portable" rides. I just have to LOOK AWAY.


We knew it was time to end the Saturday fun when the ugly cry reared it's head.


Sunday was more of the same. Dimples is seen here sporting a new 'do.

Doesn't Bruiser remind you of the Incredible Hulk? We practically had to pay him to wash his hair last night. He loved it!

We watched a magic show, a puppet show, and some "Lumber Jills".

Lastly, we watched in amazement when this gentleman balanced a BENCH on his face! I am pretty sure the boys WILL try this at home. Pray for me this week!



Oh, and even worse, he juggled with fire. He even ATE the fire. I told you I needed prayer. Do they ever hear the part where they say, "Don't try this at home"? Yeah, I didn't think so.


We ended the weekend with dinner and a movie in our air conditioned living room. Some of you have recommended that I watch "Over the Hedge," due to my complete love of all things squirrel and possum. (You heard the sarcasm in my voice, right?!) Yeah, really enjoyed the movie, loved the jokes that went over the kids' heads, didn't think even THAT squirrel was cute, and I am now certain I am living out that movie in real life.

Hopefully, I can sleep at night.

I didn't take pictures of any of the food we ate, because I thought the calories might count if I had photographic evidence. Without the evidence, I am pretty sure that none of those calories counted. Right? Right?!

Oh, all right. I'll go hop on the treadmill. But, how much fat can be in a fried piece of cheesecake? Dipped in fudge sauce?

Don't answer that! I'm going, I'm going...

Friday Fare!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

WOW! It is finally Friday. You know, I couldn't wait to get all the kids home for the summer and now I am looking for camps and VBS's to send them to. You knew I would change my mind, didn't you?

Yeah, me too.

But, we are keeping busy and we even had a garage sale yesterday. We plan to finish it up next weekend. Why, next weekend, you ask?

Because this weekend is only my FAVORITE weekend of the year!

It is Old Shawnee Days and I LOVE it. We kick the weekend off with a parade and candy first thing Saturday morning and spend the rest of the weekend eating healthy foods like funnel cakes and kettle korn. Then we ride those scary rides that travel around our fair state and get put up in a couple of hours.

OK, I don't ride them. My kids do. And, I am not sure what that says about my parenting. Don't tell me, either.

The thought of this weekend brings tears to this mama's eyes. I hope they remember the first weekend of June as one of their favorites years from now. However, they will probably remember it as the weekend that Mom MADE them go to Old Shawnee Days and walk through the craft booths. I do love me some craft booths. LOVE THEM!

But, first we need to eat a healthy meal to offset the nachos and slushies. Not too mention Dippin Dots, turkey drumsticks, and fried Snickers bars. (Oh, I am just kidding about the fried Snickers, because THAT would be gross and clog some arteries.) So, how about a yummy salad with...you guessed it...chicken. (If you didn't guess it, you are new here. Welcome. I hope you like chicken!)

I threw this little salad together for the first time a couple of months ago. We love it and eat it often!

Mrs. Nurse Boy's Chicken Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Fresh Spinach

Grilled Chicken--or cooked however you like!

Sliced Strawberries

Feta Cheese

Sliced Mushrooms

Nuts--Sunflower Seeds or Walnuts or Honey Roasted Walnuts (which I found at WalFart)

Light Raspberry Vinaigrette (Or any other sweet dressing)

Mix ingredients together and enjoy! This stuff really is yummy!!!

We are off for some fun and tummy aches! Have an awesome weekend!

Maybe Our Neighbors Should Hate Us

Nurse Boy here.

(I am writing our second post for the day, so you should read our last post if you have not been here in the last 12 hours.)

Today was garage sale day for the Nurse Boy family. It is a day where we put out our junk that we don't want, have people come by all day and look at it, and if they don't buy anything, we feel rejected. Even though we don't want it either.

None of our neighbors came by to say hi. I suppose they were worried that we would hard sell them. We did not make a killing today, but we did have some fun.

We got to set out all of the kids toys that they don't play with anymore.

Except when it's sitting in the driveway with a 25 cent sticker on it. Then it's like gold.

We were selling a sleeper sofa also. A 500 pound sleeper sofa. A 500 pound sleeper sofa that we promised to never move again about three moves ago. It has served us well. It is the bed that I slept on the week leading up to my marriage to Mrs. NB. It is what we slept on in her parent's house when we were working on our current house for about 2 months longer than expected. It is what my parents slept on every time they visited for the last 5 years. It has also produced hernias (from lifting it) and a permanent line in every ones back that has slept on it. We sat on it in the driveway like the king and queen of white trash today. I even took a short nap on it.

It did not sell.

We have two more days to try to get rid of it. If it does not sell, I will have to burn it in my driveway. I swear I will not move that thing again, unless it is helping to lift it into the back of someone else's truck.

Speaking of white trash, the Mrs. gave me a haircut on the back patio again tonight. The neighbor kids were at the fence and over the fence and on the fence. (That goes without saying, because we had just had dinner so they blessed us with commentary.) So she was using the clippers, and the neighbor kids were called away from the fence. This was the perfect opportunity for the Mrs. to give me my summer cut in privacy. You know the summer cut. The one where she continues down and shaves my back so I won't scare the small children at the pool.

"Look mom, it's the missing link."

"No son, that is just a man who likes to wear a shaggy sweater to the pool."

No, that is just me. So anyway, I have a little pride, so I don't want the neighbors to know about the back shaving. So Sweet Pea sees what is going on and, in shocked amazement, screams, "Mommy, you giv'n daddy's back a haircut?" There goes my privacy.

Outside.

I told you we are white trash.

Raising Boys

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I love my boys. I really do. But, like most women, I always imagined having at least one daughter. I needed someone to go shopping with me, let me decorate them with bows and lace, and give me the opportunity to have some pink in my home. Without moans and groans, that is.

Before Sweet Pea was born, I was out numbered. No one cared about the dress I got on clearance or my new lipstick. No one.

Then, Sweet Pea came along.

Aw...pink finally entered my home and my life felt complete. But, there was something challenging about my "sugar and spice and everything nice."

Sometimes she wasn't nice.

She knew how to hold a grudge. From the very moment she was born.

She, just like the boys, was jaundice pretty much at birth. She came home with a billi-light. And, she was so mad about it, she didn't sleep a wink for 24 hours.

Then, at 2 months, she went in for her first round of shots. She didn't forget about that pain for at least another 24 hours.

Can you say, "grudge?"

I love her, but girls really know how to hold a grudge. I should know, I certainly have been known to do the same thing. (No comments, Nurse Boy. Thank. you. very. much.)

Fast forward to a few weeks ago.

During our carpool one morning, ~H~ and ~J~ (sister and brother) entered the van while arguing with one another. ~H~ sat down in a huff and rolled her eyes in a way that put all other big sisters to shame. She then inquired, "Dimples, do you and Bruiser fight a lot?"

Dimples: (Thinking long and hard.) "Um, not really."

~H~: "Well, that's because you are both boys. You don't hold grudges."

Dimples: "What's a grudge?"

EXACTLY.

I love my boys. Always quick to forgive and forget.

You gotta love that!

Won't You Be Our Neighbor?

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

We have lived in our neighborhood for 5 years now. We loved the neighborhood for its large, beautiful trees and older brick homes. It is a quiet neighborhood with very little traffic. The elementary school is about 2 blocks away with a walking track and an awesome playground. It just looked like a wonderful place for our kids to grow up.

Then we moved in.

We have blogged about our neighbors before. Truth is, we don't seem to be very popular around here. Not really sure why. We do know that the previous owners lived here for 19 years, lost a teenage son to a horrible car accident, and soon went through a nasty divorce. Maybe we bought their friend's house? Maybe, in some weird way, they think we took sides? Maybe we just represent that sad time when everything seemed to fall apart for the family? Whatever it is, we have just learned to keep to ourselves.

We have neighbors that won't even wave back at us, much less partake in some friendly chit chat.

We have neighbors that speak Spanish and English, but their English suddenly gets rusty when, say, their tree falls on our home or our car. All of the sudden, they can't form a complete sentence. Lucky us...on a number of levels, wouldn't you say?

Then there is the older gentleman behind us that thinks men shouldn't be nurses and that it says something about my husband lacking on some professional level. I sure hope Nurse Boy gets to be there for his colonoscopy one day. :0)

We also have some little children whose parents think "No" is a word that holds a child back. I'll say... like the time one of them got mad and choked one of our sons out of anger. You can't say, "NO!" then? Their little ones have also been known to climb to the top of the privacy fence and comment about our dinner while we enjoy our meal in the "privacy" of our backyard. Yeah, I just love that !

OH! I must NEVER forget the bachelor down the street that has an old, abandoned, in ground pool that breeds MASSIVE amounts of mosquitoes ALL SUMMER LONG. And, no the city won't do anything about it. It is just a perk of living in the neighborhood.

But, today was the last straw...

Nurse Boy has shared his dislike of our friendly possum that hides out in our trash cans. He now refuses to take the trash out passed dark. I guess their eyes have locked in the moonlight one too many times. The possum just feels like we are the ones climbing over the privacy fence while he enjoys a tasty meal of apple cores and sticky sandwich crusts.

Except, "he" is a "she."

And, she wasn't eating for one. Meet our newest neighbor...





We found this "precious" little creature in our backyard this morning. YUCK!

So, won't you be our neighbor???