Summer's so close I can taste it...

I have always thought of Memorial Day and Labor Day as the bread in my summer sandwich. Squished in between is all of the fun and joy that is summer. Oh how I how I love the worry free, flip-flop filled summer months of sun and sand- and no work for us teachers! With memorial day approaching, it struck me how different my feelings are on the two BBQ filled days.

Most of us usually attend a picnic/cookout at some point on Memorial Day weekend. Dressed in our summer duds regardless of weather, we are in high spirits and filled with excitement. I know I persoanlly feel a certain sense of optimism as the summer approaches. As we sip our cold beers we discuss the countless days we will spend at the pool. There is talk of workout regimenes, camping trips, rafting excursions, and maybe even a wine tour. As the night goes on, and the inebriation builds, all in attendance leave certain it will be their best summer ever. It is memorial day, how could we think any different?

The summer passes quickly. And though we promised ourselves we would get to the pool everyday we get there a few times a week month. Our summer jogging/walking programs that started out strong dwindle as getting that bikini body seems less possible mid-July. The stack of book and magazines we swore to get too is only down by half because there is just never enough time.

Before we know it Labor Day approaches. Once again we gather around the BBQ, asking where the time has gone, reminiscing about the days of summer past. We all have our own shoulda, coulda, wouldas. Everyone seems to walk a little more slowly and our beer just doesn't taste as cold. I dread closing the summer sandwich each and every Labor Day. I am always a little sad when things are over.

I have decided I want this Labor Day to be different. It will be the day of NO REGRETS! I want to look back and think, I DID IT ALL! No shoulda, woulda or couldas for me this time around.

Here is to having the best summer you can. Don't waste a moment of time- is is YOUR time after all. Make it count and have no regrets.

and if you get a chance, have a drink for me!

Is she cute or what?

Sorry! I just had to say how Eliza is the cat's meow! I could just eat her up in two seconds flat. In fact I think I will. GULP!

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Super Powers!

Your Superpower Should Be Invisibility

You are stealth, complex, and creative. You never face problems head on. Instead, you rely on your craftiness to get your way. A mystery to others, you thrive on being a little misunderstood. You happily work behind the scenes... because there's nothing better than a sneak attack! Why you would be a good superhero: You're so sly, no one would notice... not even your best friends Your biggest problem as a superhero: Missing out on all of the glory that visible superheroes get

What Should Your Superpower Be?

I actually pretended to have super powers when I was little! I would soooo love to be invisible. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and I have always said I would love to have an invisibility cloak. And I so thrive on being misunderstood. Hey this bloggy thing is pretty darn on the money this time.

Random Recipes

The theme for random recipes this time around is picnic food! Join in the fun and post your favorite Memorial Day recipe.

Red Potato Salad

2 1/4 lbs. red potatoes
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. vegan mayo
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped red onion

Scrub and quarter the potatoes. Cook in salted water until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Whisk together the olive oil, mustard, vinegar, vegan mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl, gently fold the chopped vegetables into the potatoes. Add the dressing, tossing to coat. Season to taste.
Makes 6 servings

Hey DUDE! Yippie ki yi yay

So I don't know how many of you have ever seen Hey Dude on Nickelodeon but it was all about some kids that worked at a Dude Ranch.

I really don't know that that has to do with anything- but I really want to to go to a Dude Ranch and that show is my only reference. A friend at school went to one with her daughter and the girl scouts and said it was fun. OK what she really said was that it was Dirty Dancing Ghetto Style Dude Ranch Fun. Yippie ki yi yay! I have been dying to go on some kind of weekend (long weekend) trip with my husband for almost a year. Last year I begged him to take me whale watching before Eliza was born. Well I have never been whale watching and I never got to go on a baby moon like I wanted. Granted, I have been asking my husband to take me rafting since the summer we met and I am still waiting. Don't worry, I have my bathing suit and suntan lotion all packed so if he springs a romantic getaway on me I am READY! So now I am on the Dude Ranch kick and I need to see if I can wrangle up some friends to go with me.

Everything Educational Thursday

I will be participating in Everything Educational Thursday starting next week. I need a week to get my brain together!

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen Favorite Television Theme Songs* Picking 13 was very hard for me. Might have to do 13 more next week. I have a THING for T.V. theme songs. * Click link to hear 1. Family Ties 2. Growing Pains 3. Who's the Boss 4. Perfect Strangers 5. The Facts of Life 6. Just the Ten of Us 7. Mary Tyler Moore 8. Cheers 9. Laverne and Shirley 10. Different Strokes 11. Wonder Years 12. Fraggle Rock 13. Mr. Belevedere

I think I might have adult ADHD

I think I might have adult ADHD and I took this quiz. My results are down below. I scored an 88. It turns out that anxiety and depression often accompnay ADHD and I have suffered from both. I am looking into it and it is very interesting.

Top 10 Reasons to Go Veg!

In honor of World Vegetarian Week..

Check out this article on going veg. Top Ten Reasons To Go Vegetarian

Awesome Contest!

Wordless Wednesday Below

All you green mamas out there will totally dig this contest over at Recycle Your Day!

The giveaway is from One Mom and A Party where you’ll find awesome eco-friendly party supplies. ONE LUCKY WINNER will get to choose either a set of 4 (tablecloth, napkins, and favor bags) or a set of 8 favor bags!

Wordless Wednesday

Dress Shopping + Shoe Shopping = Miserable Me

I am so NOT a shopper. I have a wedding to go to this Saturday and another in a few so I needed a dress and shoes; unless of course I wanted to wear my maternity dress from last summer. Shopping trips are like torture sessions for me. I hate buying things I will only wear a few times. I hate shopping because I don't like to spend money. Instead, I like to hoard my money like a little miser.

Last week I ended up trying Marshalls for a dress. I never shop there because I hate looking through racks of messed up clothing but I didn't feel like making the trip to the mall with Eliza. So I tried on 5 dresses and picked the one that made my breasts look the least like flat Kate Moss boobies. I have lost weight and unfortunately I am a bit waif like. I was going for a green dress but I ended up with Turquoise and that made me happy. Overall, the shopping experience was not too bad.

Tonight I went to look for shoes. My dad was watching the babe so I was kinda in a hurry because I didn't want to put him out. I would have taken her with me- but it was a torrential downpour outside. So anyhoo, I think I looked at every shoe in DSW and didn't really like any of them. When I did find a shoe I liked, they of course did not have it in a size 6. At one point I was trudging around with my Converse sneakers half on and half off. I know I looked totally lost. Finally, I grabbed a pair of Silver kitten heeled Steve Maddens in size 6 and headed for the register. I needed to end my shopping misery with some sort of purchase.Unfortunately, my dress is at home and I am at my mom's-so I can't try on the ensemble until Friday.

When I got home I called the Nail place to make a mani/pedi appointment. I still have a gift certificate leftover from my birthday in January. I haven't been able to get the nerve to go after seeing a report on Rachael Ray about how I am going to catch all types of gross things from the salon. However, I don't need to be snaggle toes at the wedding so I broke down and made an appointment for Sat. at 11:30. I will be all fresh and pretty after my swim lesson with Eliza!

It isn't that I don't like dressing up. I DO! I just hate all the money and prep. If it were up to me I would be bare foot, wearing hand me down clothing, with dreadlocks in my hair. One can only dream!

In other news...
Poor Eliza bug has a terrible cough and can't sleep. I can already tell it will be a LOOOOONG night.

And the winner is...

First I want to apologize for taking so long to announce the winner. Secondly, thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! I wrote every name down on a piece of paper, some names 5 times, and boy are my hands sore. So many contestants!

And the winner is Bunny B from http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/

Congrats!!!!