All Hail Sturdy Pink Fabric - Now Go Die!

Do you have this issue at your house?

You do laundry.... piles and piles of laundry. Yet your children always seem to be wearing the same thing.

I can't get Anna-Claire out of a pink Easter dress I bought her last year. What makes this situation worse is that I bought the exact same dress for Dulcey. So not only do I have to see this dress every day until she grows out of it, I have the next size up for her to grow out of as well.
It's like the dress that wont die. I'm thinking seriously of retiring it before it's time just so I wont have to look at it EVER again.

Note to self : This year's dress is not allowed to be pink!

Maya

If you could imagine the worst day of your life, what would it be?

About a month ago, maybe a little bit more a good friend of mine called me to tell me her daughter had malignant brain cancer. Maya is six years old. She told me that Maya had been sent into surgery almost immediately to remove the one of several tumors that the doctors were able to get safely.
After weeks of recovery, they sent Maya to another hospital to receive radiation therapy.
Maya is done with week 2 of six for her radiation. After that she has to go through chemotherapy.
In the meantime, my friend, has not been to work and her autistic son has been sent to live between his aunts and grandmother. Her new husband of a year has filed for divorce.
She recently informed me that she's going without food for days and is hiding her car to keep it from being repossessed.

I can't even imagine what I would do if I was in this situation. My heart just aches for my friend and Maya.

I know there are lots of posts about supporting cancer patients and families ... and wearing pink and red and yellow, and I know I don't always repost it. But this is one way to make sure that your support actually goes straight to the struggling family and patient.
I'm going to be putting a package to send to Maya and her family very soon. Those who would like to contribute... please get with me via email or FB message.
Thanks!
Kimberly

A Series of Unfortunate Events

This morning started out so perfectly well too.

First thing's first... banana bread made and in the oven. Okay, if nothing else...I've at least done one thing today.

With that baking, onto the rice krispies. They came out smashing.. and didn't even stick to the pot or the dish. *kisses fingers* wah lah!

Starts the peanut brittle. What could possible go wrong. I'm on a roll!

Meanwhile... makes pumpkin bars... smells fabulous, came out beautifully *of course... I'm a regular master chef, here*

Stirs the brittle mixture on medium heat.

and stirs...

and stirs...

and stirs...

Just about there.... starting to look perfect..

My mom rings the doorbell.

So the kids let her and her little dog, Hana, in. To which they want to show of their new kitty, Alice. BIG MISTAKE!! Who knew a kitty that little would already possess demon qualities in the presence of a dog?
So now, Alice (the kitty) has scratched my mom. My mom is bleeding, the kids are screaming, and the dog could care less. Meanwhile, the peanut brittle is getting more than done.

Me to the rescue, abandons my post at the stove... and throws the kitty in the bathroom. (to which I might ad, completely unscathed)

And now that all is quiet... a big hunk of nasty, rock hard peanut brittle is in a heap in the trash.

*Big Sigh!*

Ridiculously Good Sticky Buns (aka Cinnamon Rolls)

Rule #1 allow yourself enough time to make these since it's of the essence.

Dough :

1 Cup warm milk
1 pkg active dry yeast
1/2 cup brown sugar
5- 5 1/2 Cups flour
1/2 Cup butter
2 eggs
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt

Filling :

3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 Cup chopped pecans
(raisins optional)

Topping :

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1 cup butter
1/3 rum (for adults version)
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans


About a day ahead of time prepare dough. Add warm milk, sugar, and yeast till dissolved.
Next beat eggs, butter, and flour, and rest of dough ingredients until dough is nice and soft. Kneed until smooth. Coat with butter, transfer to a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for 8 hours... (or overnight)

Next day (or several hours of PATIENTLY waiting later), prepare the filling. Once dough has been rolled out into a rectangular -ish shape. Coat with butter and spread filling over. Roll up and then cut dough cross/wise... (whatever if I hadn't seen this or done it before I never would have figured it out)
Place them in a pan, and allow TIME to rise. Only an hour and a half longer!!!


(Huge sigh! Kids nagging "are they done yet? are they done yet?" )

Finally, bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cover with topping! and eat!! eat eat eat!!!

Oh Look! A Wall.

The past few days have been very difficult. I'm beginning to think that I'm such a baby. I hate to think of myself this way, but what else can I say.

Thanksgiving Day, I woke up unable to move. Well, unable to move without an extreme amount of pain. The kind of nauseating, seeing spots, unable to keep yourself from bursting out crying pain. It felt like someone had taken a hammer to me in my sleep.

But, it was Thanksgiving, and while everyone else is being thankful for everything including their last pair of underwear, I was just trying not to scream with each step I took. And that sucked, because I really enjoy it when my family gets together.

But it was like I wouldn't even realize I'd let out a gasp until it was already out. The only comparison I can make would be really bad back labor, or maybe breaking your tail bone.
Well, I managed to make it through the day with a concoction of Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Rum, and Wine.
But Friday, I couldn't take it anymore. I moved just for a split second and a wave of nauseous pain ripped through me.I couldn't see anything but white and black spots.

That's when I gave up and couldn't take it anymore.

Remember when Squints Paladoras finally snaps "I can't take this no more!"

Yep, that was me.

I finally went to the Dr. They walked me to the hospital after giving me a REALLY great shot.
Turns out I had a cyst the ruptured and was leaking "God knows only what kind of horrible stuff" into my abdomen.
A week later, I'm still not feeling so great, but worlds better than last week.

A HUGE hug to anyone who has ever been through this. THESE SUCK!!!

It's What You've All Been Waiting For

I know some of you have been foaming at the mouth for updates on my novel.

Well, I'm writing this to tell you all you wont have long to wait.

I'm currently beefing up a synopsis that is to die for. It's gonna give the main concepts and ideas behind the book. Where the idea came from... and details to the main characters and plot...

In case you're wondering... I wont give away any of the ending...and it's written in a sequel style so... the second and final book hasn't even been written (in complete) yet.

I just hope you enjoy my characters as much as I do...

and don't worry I love them enough not to give up on them.

One day... Adam and Evy will have their say (gasp... oops is that a give away?)

Attack of the Creepy Neighbors!

Ever seen the movie "The Burbs?"

I swear, I have these neighbors. Okay, maybe not burying dead bodies in the back yard creepy, but definitely creepy.

Especially after dark. *bring on the scary movie music*

My kitchen window faces their back yard. Which means when I'm in my kitchen washing dishes, they can watch me. And they do.

Imagine stirring a pot of noodles, turning to the fridge to get some milk, setting it on the counter, and glancing out the window to see a dark shadow looming on his back porch.
It's enough to make me scream!
*Sigh* I hate creepy neighbors.
This summer I'm putting in a tree. A big one!