Preppy Girl's Guide

Well, the va-ca was just what I needed. I needed to get away from my house and just "be." Here's a quick rundown of our week:

• Took a quick flight on Southwest from Buffalo to Chicago Midway. The kids fared well.
• Stayed at my aunt's house in the burbs where we were practically waited on hand & foot (Aunt Mary rocks).
• Shopped (new purse), shopped (new shoes), shopped (new wallet) .
• Did the Zoo/Museum circuit.
• Ate the best sushi ever. Hamamatsu - N. Clark - highly recommended.
• Discovered that T-mobile has cornered the market on "free wi-fi" - in other words, it is only "free" for T-mobile customers (we visited 3 Starbucks and Borders before finding some TRULY free wi-fi at Caribou Coffee).

We DID get to see princess and family on Friday. The cats are cute, the kids are cute and monkey makes a wicked beef stew (not to mention the guac & chicken wings!)







Here's the fam sacked out after a long day with princess and family.

I need to catch up on my blogging, blog reading and life in general. Hope you all had a good week!

You know that anxiety you feel before a trip? - (tell me it's not just me) - I'm feelin' it full force today. Not quite ready to go - AT ALL. Here's the checklist:

• Go through dirty laundry and pick out the stuff you can't live without.
• Do said laundry.
• Drag the suitcases out of the attic.
• Find someone to watch the dog (our first choice isn't calling us back - HELP!)
• Pack my clothes, the kids' clothes.
• Pack mom's V-Day gift.
• Decide how to pack the antibiotics my son is taking.
• Choose a nice big bag for carry-on (must hold purse, coloring books, crayons, polly pocket case, extra undies -for my son, not moi! - magazines, snacks and tissues).
• Find someone to watch the dog - did I mention that we need someone to watch our dog? - I'm having a small anxiety attack about it.

I realize our flight will only last a whole hour and 50 minutes, but it's still stressing me out. I think I hate flying. Okay, hate is a strong word. I used to freaking LOVE IT - when I was young and unencumbered by all of life's little burdens. But recently, not liking it so much. At least on Southwest we can pre-board and get awesome seats because of the kids. Phew.

Have a good weekend all! I'll try to speak at ya from the road. CHICAGO AWAITS!

Howdy all. Hope you had a GREAT Valentine's day. It was pretty fun in our house. We woke up after that big storm to find about a foot of new snow (now we're looking at about 2-3 feet on the ground). On either side of our driveway there are piles about 4-5 feet high. I'm definitely looking forward to that early spring the groundhog predicted - uh ya, I won't hold my breath.

Sooo... school was closed again today. My daughter started crying because she was going to miss her Valentine's party (I assured her they would hold it tomorrow). This marks the second day this week I've played hooky. Monday I was kept out with my son who had an ear infection. I think I could totally get used to NOT working, as long as I didn't have to spend all day, every day with the kids (today was very trying - I just finished my second glass of much needed wine). Galoot, any chance you're getting a 150% raise anytime soon?

Speaking of the big Galoot, I got a nice mug filled with chocolate and Peanut Butter candies. They are freaking awesome (as is the mug). I reciprocated with a subscription to Bon Appétit magazine, for my resident chef. Galoot also got the kids stuffed animals with a bunch of chocolate peanut butter hearts (which is more than I did - bad mommy).

All in all, a great day. Only two more days until the kids' early spring break, which we will be spending in Chi-town. Can't wait!

First a little shout out to my big brother who made me the awesomest new avatar ever. Mr. Social is a rockstar.

Next up - What the hell is up with "The Office" last night? It was WAY too predictable. I expect more for the best show on TV. In the words of Michael Scott, "This is bullsh*t!" (And Karen's hair is still lookin' NASTY wordnerd.)

We had a heart healthy lunch at work today. Everyone wore red and was supposed to bring red heart healthy food. I went to the grocery store before work and ended up with Skinny Cow brand strawberry sorbet bars and cherry italian ice. Okay, not exactly heart healthy but not unhealthy either. It was a LOT healthier than the chocolate raspberry frosted sheet cake that was there. Go figure.

Have a swell weekend all!

Wow, this must be a record. 4 snow days in the last month. That hardly ever happens around here. The last two (yesterday and today) actually had nothing to do with the snow and everything to do with the temperature. Subzero temps = no school in our city (where many of the little ones are walkers).

The daycare is still open (as it is run by the local college) so Galoot Jr. has been going to school even when the public schools are closed (phew). PGirl Jr. spent yesterday with Galoot, so today was my turn. After a trip to the Chiropractor ("Mommy, what's this crazy table for?") she spent the day with me at work. Here are a few things keeping her busy today:

• Highlighters and copy paper


• A new Strawberry Shortcake sticker book


• Polly Pockets


• Barbie.com


• Making Valentines


• Making water cooler soup


• Rubber picture people baseball (using my picture people and a roll of wrapping paper)


• Rubber picture people bowling (using the picture people and an overripe orange)

I'm getting tired just watching her. Pray for warmth so she can return to her regularly scheduled programming tomorrow.

1. Played Shopper's Trivia
2. Tried to respond to all your comments on my last post - but Blogger ate it.
3. IM'd my friend Favor8.
4. Floated around the "American Girl" website for our upcoming trip to Chi-town.
5. Thought I must be crazy for even considering taking my daughter to American Girl store.
6. Meetings, meetings, meetings.
7. Played Word Jumble on-line (16 seconds - BAM!).
8. Watched Top Chef post-show interviews on-line.
9. Got my nails done - LOVE THIS.
10. Stopped at the grocery store for sour cream, cheese and hamburger buns.
11. Ate an awesome Taco Bowl, courtesy of Galoot's kitchen.
12. Walked the dog - BRRRRRRRRRR!
13. Watched "The Office." Hysterical as always (you smell like Tide).

How was your Thursday?