A Little Maintenance
Can we just leave for this vacation already? Okay, maybe I’m glad we didn’t leave this weekend. We elected to fly out on Tuesday to save our cash for dashboard hula dancers from the ABC Stores and Macadamia Nut Turtles from Hilo Hattie’s (act surprised, Mom). As a result, this weekend has been the time to take care of all those little things around the house to prevent us from returning home in a week and a half, walking in... Read More
Same Old Story
I’m putting on my serious hat for this post, so bear with me. As many of you are aware, this week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. While there have been some fantastic posts written in the blog world regarding the topic (please check out Gena’s amazing post, in particular), I can’t help but notice the negative messages regarding body image that continue to perpetuate our media. Yesterday specifically, two disheartening... Read More
The Conscious Coed
I received a really great question via email yesterday that I thought would be a great topic to cover while my trip preparations continue and I serve guacamole for dinner again (Pea Daddy wishes I were kidding). Kara writes in part, From reading your blog and other vegan blogs I’ve become increasingly curious about veganism…so I’ve decided to embark on a little vegan-test drive. I want to try going vegan for a week. My situation... Read More
La Vida Loca
It feels like I’m living out of my car these days, and not in the not “I’m Jewel and I’ve yet to be discovered, but even when I do get ultra-rich I’m still not going to fix my teeth because I’m so cool it doesn’t matter to me” way. I’m turning up the dial on everything in our lives the next few days because we are getting ready to leave on our Hawaii trip. When I start to feel overwhelmed about... Read More
I’ve Cracked the Code!
I’ve got a small list of major mysteries I’ve solved in the last few days: 1. Supportive amazing father + “The Potty Book” + Dora Pull-ups + organic yogurt covered raisins = 100% potty trained Lulu! You know you’d go right now if I promised you some too. 2. Vienna from The Bachelor = Angela Bower (Judith Light from Who’s The Boss?) I nearly jumped off the couch last night, started my own ad agency and moved... Read More
Sweetening the Deal
With all the negativity up in here lately (from trolls to Kardashian bashing), I think things should get a little bit sweeter around Peas and Thank You. So adorable it makes my fillings hurt. Still want something a little sweeter? How about this shot from the Farmer’s Market yesterday. To sweeten up an already sweet day, Gigi asked if Kalin (our Farmer’s Market tour guide) was bringing her daddy (Kalin’s fiance) with her to the... Read More
Kardashians & Kookies
The best reality shows are competitions. Who is the Survivor who can outplay, outwit, outlast? Who is the Biggest Loser who can outsmart, outsweat, outfast? Who is the American Idol who can outsing, outdance, outdimple the clearly more talented contestant? Adam who?! Did you know that Keeping up With the Kardashians is also a reality competition? The objective: becoming the member of the Kardashian clan that I HATE the least. Keep in mind, I’ve... Read More
Call Me “Tiger”
By that, I mean you can call me “Tiger,” which is far different from “Call me, Tiger.” I’m not his type. Or am I? Where were YOU when Tiger gave his apology? (“I am a golfing robot. Malfunction. Malfunction. Abort mission! Abort mission!”) If I see one more reporter treating this absurd story like it was 9-11, I’m going to put on a red golf shirt, a black Nike hat and hold a press conference... Read More
How to Save Money on Organic Produce
Hopefully I at least got a smile out of you with that title. During my brief hiatus (I’m starting to feel like Brett Favre up in here), I further developed one of my many girl crushes, which either has my husband a little worried or a lot excited. The object of my affection: Samantha Brown. I know I’m not alone in my adoration of this lady, but my feelings didn’t blossom merely out of envy of her job, but even more out of the... Read More
Joining the Sisterhood
As I’ve mentioned before, I wasn’t in a sorority in college. I just found I was so busy with school, playing basketball and trying to change my frat boy boyfriend that I never committed to becoming a sister. Yet I envied their rituals, their friendships, their sense of being a part of something bigger than themselves and the fact that at least one day a week they didn’t have to worry about what they wore, threw on a Hanes sweatshirt... Read More
Rocky Road
I first want to say thank you to all of you who came to my defense on that last post. The hostile comment didn’t make me cry, but all of your kind, sincere and intelligent responses did. I can accept criticism for choices I make regarding myself or even my personal beliefs, but I can’t ever accept being called a bad mom or the implication that I have anything but those girls’ best interests in my heart at all times. Very Palin... Read More
Pyramid Scheme
I’ve got a new trick up my sleeve in the our ongoing battle between feeding my kids right and outside forces. Fun Dip and cupcakes aside, we were also the recipient of more Conversation Hearts than can legally be possessed without a permit and a couple of heart-shaped boxes of several Walgreen’s specials. You can bet those Conversation Hearts are getting turned into a couple of art projects. Unfortunately, you can also bet that Lulu... Read More
A “Model” Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day! And Happy 36th Anniversary Mom & Dad! You are such amazing models of what love and a marriage should be. Even though I was exasperated by the wet towel snaps and Michael Bolton led slow dancing in the living room as a kid, I only hope Pea Daddy and I are as hot for each other as you are now (as icky as that may be). Every holiday as a parent kind of runs together, as they all ultimately mean that your children... Read More
Fun Dip
I’m afraid I’m not a very popular mom with the crowd at Gigi’s preschool. I sent her to school today. She’s been on some form of antibiotics for the last two weeks, so I doubt she’s contagious, and when I asked the teacher, she said, “Nah…don’t worry about it. They’ve all got it.” Still, when the carpool mom dropped Gigi off, she said, “Uh, you might want to wash her coat. I didn’t... Read More
She Should’ve Told Me
Do you have in your memory any moments that are just frozen in time for you? I’m not talking about your high school graduation, your wedding day or the second you felt the disc in your back rupture when an over zealous chiropractor told you, “No pain, no gain!!!” (legal action may be pending). No, I’m talking about those moments that may not seem monumental, but that for some inexplicable reason remain a perfect snapshot... Read More
Love Story
My husband LOVES jambalaya. The reason why is really quite sweet: it reminds him of the first trip we took together to Disneyland. They serve AMAZING jambalaya out of huge sourdough bread bowls in New Orleans Square and I’d like to think that he requests that I make jambalaya so he can relive that time in our lives. I think we’ve established that I dated some real losers in my day. Through “Glamour Shot in a Regifted Frame”... Read More
Accepting Substitutes
I’m on my third cup of coffee today. I was up a little too late last night searching for a replacement for a member of our family. You know Blankie. Blankie appears in the background of a lot of our pictures, and while we do notice how much the girls have aged when we look at old pictures, we also notice how much Blankie has grayed from his previous glory. Unlike George Clooney, though, Blankie’s maturation hasn’t made him grow... Read More
You’ve Gotta Do What You’ve Gotta Do
Even when your kid is begging to go to school, you’ve got to keep her home since her nose is running like Seabiscuit, and her eyes look like she spent Superbowl Sunday with Snoop Dogg. Fo’ shizzle. Even when you feel you should branch out for breakfast, you’ve got to boost your own immunity with another green smoothie in a bowl. frozen spinach (leftover from yesterday’s dip) almond milk orange juice frozen peaches vanilla... Read More
Party of Four
It’s Halftime of the Super Bowl, and since I have no clue who “The Who” is, I thought’d I’d take this time to talk about myself. It was pretty amusing when Pea Daddy and I reenacted “Who’s on First?” when I was trying to find out if the Superbowl Halftime Committee had gone the Rolling Stones (old people) or Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake (boobage) route. Me: “Who is the Halftime Show?” PD:... Read More
Hitting P-Town
Or Pea-Town. Or Pee-Town…as the case may be. We took the girls to Portland today to stimulate the economy. Shopping with kids is a necessary evil. If I didn’t just suck up the fact that 85% of our time in the store would be spent pulling Lulu out from underneath her clothes-rounder sweat lodge or explaining to Gigi that yes, pink sequined mini dresses are pretty but not everyday mommywear, well, I’d still be wearing maternity... Read More
I’m Going Through “The Change”
Before Gigi started preschool, I was terrified. To know Gigi, is to love her. I know it’s cliche, but she just has sunshine coming out of her fingertips and joy coming out of her curls. I’m a creature of habit, and the fact that for nine hours a week I would not have her warmth around me made me want to lock her in our house, sew all of her clothes, and never let her cut her hair. Yet somehow, Lulu and I have settled into our mornings... Read More
It’s Makeover Time!
Cue the Jays…it’s makeover time! Of course, prior to a makeover, one must consult the latest trends and fashions… …and try to gain an understanding of the process. Don’t forget to eat a good breakfast. 2 c. spinach 1/4 c. orange juice 1/4 c. almond milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder ice 1/2 c. frozen peaches 1/2 t. guar gum 3/4 – 1 t. xanthan gum I madeover my usual smoothie in a bowl by adding a ridiculous... Read More
Helping Hands
You know how some people say, “I could use another set of hands”? Not me. In fact, sometimes I wish I had two less sets of hands. I have all the helping hands I need. This morning Slim Shady helped me hide my stash…of empty nut butter jars. I came in from my workout and found two near empty jars of peanut butter that I’d been hiding in the back of the cupboard set out on the counter to go in the recycling. Whoever did... Read More
I’m a Softy
I’m going soft. I now eat ice cream for dinner. Carob “Ice Cream” 2 T. carob powder stevia 1 c. almond milk 1-2 c. ice or frozen banana slices 1/2 t. guar gum 1/2 t. xanthan gum Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. You want to play with styrofoam peanuts all over the place? Knock yourself out. The secret to LOST lies in those styrofoam peanut hieroglyphs. As for workouts, so what if I slept late... Read More
Groundhog Day
I knew it was going to be a crazy day. Two trips each way to preschool, a trip to the pediatrician and two hours in the dentist’s chair later, it’s finally winding down. I wish I had some great photos, marginally funny jokes and yummy recipes for you, but I knew a traditional post wasn’t happening when my dentist said, “It’s not going to be a fun food day for you.” I can show you the fabulous food my friend... Read More
