Our family trip...

The day started off normal enough...we all got up, got dress, ate breakfast, got the cooler & van packed, and then we were off.  So we thought...

I forgot to change the settings on my GPS from shortest distance to fastest time so we didn't get there going mostly highway.  We were in a city close to home with a lot of stop lights and traffic.  C got car sick!  He puked on himself, a couple of times I believe.  With all the packing no extra cloths were brought; note to self NEXT trip pack extra clothes!  What can you do but go to the local K-Mart and buy $26 & change worth of clothes, cleaning supplies, and one large puke bucket.  B asked the Pharmacist and they advised to give C some "cola syrup." Thank goodness for that stuff for working!  

We finally get there about 30mins and the fun begins.  We saw every exhibit they had open, which we figure was about five miles worth of walking.  C did a combo of walking and riding in his stroller.  There were several groups from schools and lots of families there enjoying the on and off drizzle of rain while the sun played peek-a-boo with us.  The weather couldn't make up its mind much like C couldn't whether to walk or not.  We had him in the stroller mostly so he couldn't run off or get taken off by someone else.

All the walking/riding and all the excitement of being in a new place C didn't take a nap at the ZOO.  B gave him some of that great "cola syrup" before we were ready to leave, so once we took our last tram ride back to the entrance where came in we were almost ready to go.  One last thing...had to buy C a toy or something. He finally decided on a stuff monkey, named "Silly Monkey."  This is funny to us because most of his other "critters" are called by their animal names; for example, a dinosaur is called "dino," a dog is called "dog-dog," a hippopotamus is called "hippo" so you get the point. 

The ride home was quiet.  I set my GPS to fastest rather than shortest route, and about five minutes into the drive C was OUT like a light.  

We got close to home and ate with my mom, called "Gree," and came home.  B gave C a bath while I unloaded the van; I know you're worried about my foot but I was cleared on Wed. by the doc.  I appreciate your concern but it was sore some of the day, but it was ok for the most part.  After getting C to bed I sat down to watch "Year One" which a friend had told me it was funny, but I was SO tired I didn't really watch it much before deciding to get a shower and go to bed. (Sorry but this was why I didn't post last night!)

 That was our adventure for now; keep coming back to see what new tales I can tell about our family...

Trip to the ZOO

Tomorrow we're taking C to the ZOO for the first time.  He's only 2 1/2yrs old but he's VERY smart and so alert to what things are.  I can't wait to see his reactions to some of the animals.  I'm not sure if he's going to get excited or scared of some of the larger animals.  My wife, B, and I figured it's been about nine years since we went there last, so we figure a good bit is different.

Before we can have our fun tomorrow we had to do some work today.  We pressure washed our wood deck, driveway, and sidewalk.  Neither of us has ever pressure washed anything other than our cars at the local do-it-yourself car wash.  It was loud and tiring, but I think things look better.  I can't wait to get the stain/sealant on the deck and I even got some all purpose sealant for the driveway and sidewalk.  I've never use a stain/sealant combo so that'll be an experience I'll have to share.

Does anyone have any tips on the best way to apply the stain/sealant?  I have a roller with deep sided tray to use, and I have a manual pump sprayer for the clear sealant for the driveway/side walk.

Everyone have a great weekend and thank you for visiting my blog...make sure you support my sponsors by clicking on the links...Thank you!

The things we do for the ones we love...

Things we do for our families...

When B was in college we got married, and I made the promise to her and her mom that she WOULD finish school! I worked two jobs (avg. 55hrs/week) for approximately a year. She graduated.

I left a job that I did well and had been there for five years to a learn a new job that I've enjoyed and gotten good at because of stability issues at the old job. That chance has paid off because I have good benefits, good pay, and not a lot of chance of getting laid off. The only issue was a rotating shift. That changed in January, and I was put on permanent night shift. I stuck in there because of the benefits, and who am I kidding the economy around here sucks. In other words no viable jobs that would work.

Today I found out my hard work and waiting paid off! I got approved for a slot on permanent days! Nervous as I am to work with new people but it'll be worth it to be able to see my wife and son every day. See with permanent nights I would go a couple of days at a time without seeing either my wife or son. I missed a lot of family activities because of needing to sleep, but now I'm going to join the land of the living and working days. I'll be missing less family activities.

What have you given up for your family, friends, or even a stranger?

Laughing SO HARD you spew.... WARNING: This blog may contain material offensive to some and not for anyone under 18!

 A friend at work showed this video to me and it made me laugh almost at hard as I describe below...watch at your own risk!

WARNING: By clicking on this video you will hear GRAPHIC language NOT suited for people UNDER 18!!

Have you EVER laughed REALLY HARD while trying to eat? I did tonight and it wasn't pretty...it was down right disgusting but I still wish I had it on video!

Myself, my mom (call her J), my wife (call her B), and my son (call him C) were all in the kitchen eating dinner, tonight was B's chili. I put shredded cheese and sour cream in my chili, and began eating it with some Baked Lays Scoops (which we bought to eat for lunch later in the week with some fajitas). B was staring at me, not in a "good" way, and then she commented about the chips.

I put up those "Scoops" and got out some Memphis Bar-b-Que Light Pringles and began eating my chili with them. B made such a fuss I began to laugh. Well I hadn't had time to swallow before she made me laugh so I had stuff coming out of my mouth and nose, and was about to start choking. I didn't care because I couldn't stop laughing...B still making comments and running off didn't help!

I finally stopped laughing and caught my breath; my son C asked me if I was ok (well he's only 2yrs old so that's touching) and I of course had to nod since I wasn't able to talk yet.

This was my dinner, anyone have a good story about laughing uncontrollably?

Homemade fall goodness

Picture from http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Tonight I decided to cook x3 medium sized sweet potatos my mom brought over a few days ago.  I don't think I've ever cooked any myself...well maybe I have around the holidays but I don't remember.  I got on-line as usual to http://www.foodnetwork.com/ to find a good recipe.  I usually try to cook healthy but sometimes you can take a regular recipe and "tweak" it to make it healthier than it was originally intended.  I think it came out really well so give it a try and let me know what you think.

Start with KEYSHAWN'S MOM'S CANDID YAMS Recipe courtesy Keyshawn's Mom, Reign, Beverly Hills, CA (from http://www.foodnetwork.com/)

Ingredients

3 pounds sweet potatoes or yams
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 sticks sweet butter, cubed

Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Directions
Peel potatoes and cut into 2-inch cubes. Place potatoes in large pot, cover with sugar, brown sugar and butter cook over medium heat until potatoes are fork tender (about 20 minutes) but not mushy.

Ok for a little healthier I used:
Country Crock Light butter, so that it's better for you than regular butter
Splenda for cooking & baking (well I used to off brand from Wal-Mart)

Extra not in the recipe:
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 vanilla estract

This would be great with your holiday meals since it's what I would call a "comfort food"...eat well & take care!