when momma ain't happy...

...ain't nobody happy!

That pretty much sums up life over here especially in the department of meals. I have had some stomach bug since Monday so the family has survived on Chef Boyardee, toast, Skyline through the drive thru and a wide assortment of other not homemade and mostly not good for you, foods!Here are the girls prior to trick or treating on Sunday. Sunday---the day I ate several kinds of chili, one bite of soup, many sweet treats....hmmm...maybe that is what happened to my digestive system!

I am looking forward to feeling better and a super fun night on Friday with high school girlfriends, all of our moms and sisters and nieces too! Pin It

halloween fun friday

(click to view larger)

Above is a collage of photos from today at the girls' school. Each year, the Halloween parade is a big event. The shrek crew is the principal, school secretaries and the nurse. They always plan great costumes that coordinate.
Shelby's costume packaging referred to it as "soldier sweetie". She looked cute as a bug but plenty of people asked me what she was. For the sake of simplicity, I was just glad she quickly chose something, it fit and made her happy--I did not so much care what it actually was!
Her sister created her own 80's outfit. I think the inspiration came from a very bad B movie that she and I watched on Sunday morning called Teen Witch. This flick did not star any of the Brat Pack but did come through big time on the 80's fashions which my girl soaked right up! She pieced together this outfit at Target just yesterday. Yes, silver lame (pronounced la-may) pants are currently for sale at Target and it is October 2010. Leg warmers are also there for just $5. The shirt got a little snip around the neckline and at 9pm I made a bright pink hair scrunchie and the outfit was complete. Ooh la la.I made the water bottle labels for Olivia's class by recoloring a digital graphic I had on hand and then cutting them to size.

About an hour ago, the girls and I made these Milano cookie ghosts. Fun and easy. I saw them here this week.

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big news

A new vehicle has been purchased!
We bought during Beechmont Toyota's Grand Opening Celebration and it was truly a great buying experience. I know they won't have a manicurist, magician, massage therapist and origami expert on hand every day but they did on Saturday and it made for a fun day (although it was long). This photo was taken when we finally finished all the paperwork and were taken to the cleaned up Highlander. I had to have my salesman, Steve Warren, take a picture with my phone...I am a blogger afterall!

So far the new wheels are amazing. The biggest (and perhaps ONLY) thing I miss about the mini van is the sliding rear doors. Both the girls and I are adjusting to "regular ol' car doors!". Also strange, there is not an ignition that requires a key, it is a push button start?!

If you live in the Cincinnati area, I highly recommend this company. Not that I look forward to servicing the vehicle but when I have to go I won't mind browsing the gift shop and enjoying Starbucks coffee. Crazy, right?! Pin It

Monday Meal Plan

Monday: Stouffers Stuffed Green Peppers (these were so tasty, I ate two!), hot dogs for the girls, salad on the side for me and cucumbers and carrots + dip for them
Tuesday: attending a funeral so we will try to grab a sandwich on the go
Wednesday: Baked porch chops, Bob Evans mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli
Thursday: crazy busy night, take out for Dave and the kids and I will be at a Business Expo
Friday: Pizza or Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
Saturday: ?
Sunday: annual neighborhood Halloween party at our house. The peeps with even numbered addresses bring something hot in a crockpot and the odds bring a snack or dessert. I will supply all drinks, hot dogs for the kids and a hot pot of something too.

More to come this week. The car shopping has ended with a purchase...details to follow soon. Pin It

good food

The chicken potato bake from yesterday was delicious. So easy to prepare and a very flavorful result. There is nearly an entire chicken breast leftover that I plan to enjoy today in a salad or wrap for lunch.

(photo taken with i phone)

This little beauty became a junior girl scout yesterday, one step up from a Brownie. The leaders gave out the Junior Mints, cute idea, huh?

And in bigger news, el picky eater, ate nearly a dozen steamed baby carrots at dinner last night. First she said they smelled good, then she asked if she could taste them. Once I said she could add butter and salt...it was ON! Her diet is fairly limited so the addition of carrots as a side to her chicken nuggets is a very good thing. Pin It