Mrs. Butterworth's, I love you....

Every morning I wake wee one up at 7 and ask her what she wants for breakfast, and every morning she says the same thing. "What do we have", like during the night the breakfast elves visited our pantry, and magically there were new and exciting breakfast foods waiting for her this morning. I swear, I'm going to print up a menu for her so that I don't have to rattle it off every morning....

Anyway, she "ordered" waffles this morning. Not the *dunking kind but the *regular kind. So I popped them into the toaster and waited. After cutting them up I went to the pantry to get the syrup....here's where my strange problem comes in. I have a bottle 1/4 full of "store brand" syrup sitting in front of a 3/4 full bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's. I stood for a moment, deciding which one to choose. Not because there is a huge difference in taste, I actually like the store brand, but because it was Mrs. Butterworth's.  I actually had a mental fight with myself whilst choosing.

"Oh, just use the rest of the generic stuff....no! there is a good bottle right there!....yeah, like she's even going to notice....but what kind of mother are you if you give her the generic when right there is the good stuff?....oh please, what difference would it make?....well, which one would you choose?....okay, I suppose I would choose the Mrs....see?....*sigh....I wonder if my HMO covers outpatient therapy?"

So, in the end she got the Mrs. Butterworth's. I actually guilted myself into giving it to her. Now, let me say that I LOVE generic. I buy it ALL the time. So why does this bother me? Why do I feel I need to give my daughter the *superior brand? What does it mean that I am divided over syrup brands? I'll tell you what it means....it means the advertising is working! That and I'm completely insane. 
So, to put my mind at ease, I decided to give her a taste test before she brushed her teeth. I put a small amount of *syrup #1 on a spoon, and she tasted it. I then gave her a sampling of *syrup #2. After a bit of deliberation, she came to the following conclusion...."I would have to say that #1 tastes better.", and she made a smiley/yummy face to go along with it. Can you guess which syrup it was?

And the winner is....generic. All that worrying for nothing. So now every morning, I can throw caution to the wind and drown her waffles in glorious, golden generic streams of liquid gold, without a care in the world....yet, I will still get a twinge when I bypass the forlorn Mrs. B, all alone in the back of the pantry. Oh, but fear not....one batch of my chocolate chip pancakes and the old girl will be back in business....as my taste test had a different outcome....

Now you know why....

"A young JBCoupe attempts her first 'sunburst pattern' at the tender age of two. Experts say she has a great career ahead of her...."

Back to the old routine....*whew

<~~~~That is how I feel after this whirlwind visit from my mother in law. We were on the go the entire time we were together, and now, I am sitting here trying to decide what to do first! We took her to the airport this morning, and left with no tears....which was amazing. She usually cries when we say goodbye at the check in point....but today she did good. I think because we were talking about when we would come to visit. After we watched her walk down the corridor to her terminal, we left and went out to breakfast. I know, I know....more food? "Dang, that JBCoupe is going to double in size before the holidays even get here!" Well, I wasn't hungry, but I knew I would never get away with a morning with the hubby without a breakfast stop. We didn't go out Sunday for our anniversary dinner, so we decided to make it an anniversary breakfast. After that we stopped at Pep Boys to look for the scooter wee one wants. We found it, and got a raincheck. I had seen them at Wal Mart months ago, but of course, not since then. Dh suggests we stop there "just to see", and I told him I wasnt' going to go....I was too tired. Needless to say his persistant badgering wore me out and we went. And guess what? Yes....they had two of the scooters. Of course he gives me the "I told you so" look, to which I gave him the "you're number one" retort wtih my middle finger....we ended up buying it and he is unloading it from the car as we speak. He wants to put it together "to make sure all the parts are there", but I know better. He wants to "see if it will hold his smart a** up" and go puttering down the street. We are going to have to get her a good helmet to wear with it (it's the Schwinn S350 electric scooter), as she only has her little bike helmet. She is going to be so excited. I told her if she gets it, that we are going in on the gift with Santa and it will be her birthday/Christmas present. She was fine with it.

I didn't sleep good last night, and I'm so tired right now. There has been a war going on in the house for the past 5 nights that all revolves around sleeping arrangements. Wee one has a bunk bed, so Betsy took up residence during the mil visit. There are two  identical beds, however, there is some problem with the top mattress. Apparently it is hard. No one wants to sleep on it. Along with this problem is the fact that Betsy has to sleep in a pitch black room, and wee one goes to bed with her Christmas tree lights on, as well as a movie in. Needless to say, it's been a battle. I usually don't stand for that kind of crap....but this time I made wee one sleep on the couch in my room. I don't know why, I suppose just to keep things running smoothly. I should have insisted they take turns. So last night, wee one decided to revolt, and refused to sleep in my room. She stomped her feet, crossed her arms, shook her head until her hair was in knots....yet I made her go in my room.  She was NOT happy, but she did it. When I finally came in to bed, she was in my bed and I had to move her to the couch. I was hoping she would sleepwalk her way over as usual, but of course she was fully awake and spent the next 10 minutes moaning and complaining. The next thing I knew it was 4 am and I was squished in my bed between the snoring husband, and the snoring daughter. Jeez! I eventually just got up and figured I'd nap later....I tell ya!

So, here I sit, thinking tomorrow I'll  finally get my alone time in the dentists chair....but no....my mom has an appointment at the hospital to learn how to set up the feeding machine for my dad, and I have to go with her. So, I cancelled my dentist appointment, moved it to next week, and am going in the morning. I don't mind though....I know she is nervous about learning all of this, on top of evereything else she has going on....which is a lot.

Well, I suppose I should get going before the girls get home. I'm just glad to be getting back into a routine before Christmas arrives! have a lovely Tuesday....(oh yeah, it's 80 here today....I'm kind of getting used to it....how sad! lol)

The soothing sound of my voice....

I'm adding a few pics to go along with my entry today. I hate to admit it, but it really was a gorgeous day....

I'm so sick of eating!!!!

I can't believe I'm going to say this but....I am so sick of eating out! It seems like we just keep eating and eating while the mil is here. It's getting a bit ridiculous. The girls are loving it, since they can order whatever they want, and of course dh loves it as well. I just keep thinking about the fact that I just bought a bunch of new clothes, and I would like to be able to fit into them before their first washing!

Today we went to the IMAX and saw "Santa -vs- the Snowman". It was the absolute cutest holiday movie ever. Everyone really enjoyed it. The theater is located at the World Golf Village where all the successful doctors, lawyers and your average millionaires live. It's quite a place. The Murray brothers have a restaurant there, "Caddyshacks", and Bill (oh yeah, we are on a first name basis....lmao), has been known to pop in for lunch occasionally. As we were going to the theater, we passed a huge stage that had been set up on the grounds and hundreds of people milling about, lawn chairs in hand, getting ready for some sort of performance. Apparently it was a kids production of the Nutcracker. When the movie was over and we came out, you could hear the music, and we stood and watched the dancers for a while. It was really good. The kids did a great job. I wanted to stay and watch, but everyone was whining that they were cold....so we left. I'm telling you, next year we are going to be sitting out there, watching with our blankets and hot chocolate!

We then headed to Hallmark to get a few things, and out to eat. It was wonderful as usual (we went to the Blue Crab, our favorite restaurant....and yes, I did have crab cakes....they are soooo good!). After dinner, we headed to the park and walked out on the pier to see the boat parade. It was really nice. It was actually cold....but we had coats. There were about 20 boats that were decorated....hundreds of lights, music....it was so cute! The last boat had Santa and the Mrs., and they had a sound system and were wishing everyone a merry Christmas. There were so many kids! They were all cheering and clapping and singing. It was so festive! There were even some fireworks....all in all it was a great evening.

Tomorrow will begin with the early mass, then....well, I'm not sure. I'll tell you this much though....I"m looking forward to Wednesday morning, sitting in the dentist chair having my tooth worked on. Not that I'm having a bad weekend, but I'd do anything, even get a filling, for a little "me" time! LOL....have a good one!

"If you've seen one mall, you've seen 'a mall'" ~ Betty K.

My grandmother loves to shop, and she loves to make up silly little sayings; hence the title of my entry....

However, it was not she that I shopped with today, but my mother in law. We shopped alllll day, but got a lot accomplished. Well, she did, I just carried bags. She got Wee one's birthday present bought and one thing for Christmas that she will let her open before she goes back to Indiana. She is going to leave money for me to buy her the rest of wee one's Christmas gifts. As for Betsy, she bought her something to open whilst she is here, and also bought her Christmas gift, so I don't have to shop for her. She told me that she will just give John and I our money before she leaves. I feel awkward taking money from her....it just doesn't feel right. I have told her time and time again that we don't expect things from her, that her visits are enough. I tell her she should enjoy her money....take a trip, buy something she likes....but she won't do it. She tells us that she and her husband (he passed away in 2000) worked all their lives so that they would have something to leave their children, and that this is what she wants to do with her money. She has set up college funds for the girls, has carpeted her sister's trailer (her sister is very poor and has mental problems), bought her a washer and dryer, food, etc. My mil is a very giving woman, and very stubborn. I have learned not to argue with her when she wants to give me something....still, I feel strange.

Anyway....as for the weekend, I'm not sure what we will do. We have a lot of ideas, but not a lot of time. We want to do the "family" things since the girls go back to school Monday. We are going to the IMAX theater, St. Augustine and possibly a Christmas parade. My mil is Catholic, so John wants to take her to the "oldest Catholic church" which just happens to be located in St. Augustine. They have services on Sunday so we will be attending. I have only been to a Catholic service two or three times in my life, and I believe they were either for a wedding or funeral. I have no idea when to kneel, or stand or sit....I guess I'll just follow the crowd!

I baked a yellow cake tonight with chocolate frosting. It was so cold outside that I put it on the porch to cool, and it only took 20 minutes! I'm so excited about the cold weather! It's much more festive when you have to put on a coat rather than sunscreen to shop. The annual Christmas boat parade is tomorrow night along the St. John's river. When you cross the bridge you can see the boats at the marina all decorated with lights and trees and big plastic Santa's. Some of them are houseboats, and they have satellite dishes mounted along the slips. I would love to live on a boat for six months. I think that would be so cool. Of course, I'd probably get seasick and be in the bathroom or hanging over the side most of the time. However, I would lose weight that way....hmmmm....

Wee one has been watching the 25 Days of Christmas on the Family Channel. She just loves that. All the old shows like "The Year Without a Santa Claus" and "Frosty the Snowman". They give me such a warm feeling when I see them. I haven't seen White Christmas yet this year....I LOVE that movie. You just can't go wrong with Bing Crosby....he's just the MOST! LOL....how 40's of me....

I bought John a Christmas present today. It's the first season boxed set of "The Family Guy". He LOVES that show. Never misses it. It's going to come back to Fox this spring, and we are eagerly awaiting it. Of course we are dyed in the wool Simpson fans, but FG is a very close second. And speaking of new releases....I am anxiously awaiting the 2005 release of "Strangers With Candy....the Movie". OMG....the most hysfreakingsterical television show ever produced. I am such a fan of Jeri Blank....

Sunday is my anniversary....okay, it's John's too, but I never remember to say that! LOL. We will be married 17 years. Man, that is a LONG time to be with ONE person. He sure is a lucky man, I tell ya what. Oh, alright, I suppose I am a lucky woman as well....he's a pretty good guy. He's taking me to dinner and a movie. He said he would rather take me to a B&B, but, well, he never said why he wasn't! I'll tell you why though....poor planning. LOL. I could have very easily planned it, but I wasn't going to. I want him to come up with the idea, make the reservations and sweep me away to a weekend of fun and romance. Of course, if I wait for that to happen I won't be "swept" away so much as "wheeled" away in my chair and the B&B will be named something to the effect of "The Happy Acres Retirement Ranch". *Sigh. That's okay though, as long as it is he and I together, I won't mind. Have a great evening everyone!

My privacy is over....starting now....

And so it begins....my six days of being constantly surrounded by people. Dh is off, MIL is coming....*sigh. I'm sitting here doing my morning "thing", and dh is yelling for me, running around the house, asking for things....jeez!

Anyway....he did fix my vaccum for me, which is wonderful! I've had my Oreck since 1990, and it's been through heck and back. I've run over the cord too many times to count, pulled it out, dropped it, tripped over it, scuffed it, permanently ruined the headlight (don't ask)....but the thing still runs. So today he took it all apart, drilled a hole in the handle and jerry rigged some sort of holder for the cord....it looks like it's new from the factory now! He's such a good handyman....I think I'll keep him around for a while. Right now he is washing my van....

I went to the car to take a picture of the last tree I put up for the season....yes, I have a lighted Christmas tree that hangs from the rear view mirror and plugs into the cigarette lighter....but my camera software is not working! I did everything I knew how to do to get it running properly (yes, my extensive computer knowledge consists of 1. Restarting the computer to see if that fixes it and 2. Cursing loudly when it doesn't), but it still isn't working. I suppose I'm going to have to unload and reload the software. *Sigh. Like I have time for that now! But I digress....I found this little tree about 5 years ago at our local True Value hardware store and haven't seen one like it since. Two of the bulbs have gone out, and regular bulbs don't work in it. I guess I should do an online search and try to find a new one.

OMG....he is in here AGAIN asking me if I'm still online. Sheesh! He's telling me he is going to cut the front lawn after washing my car. Okay, fine....why are you telling me this? Just DO it!

Okay, I had better get going myself and finish up the things that need to be done. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday. I can't even remember what day it is. Wee one had to tell me in the car this morning. She said to me, "Yesterday was hump day mom", to which I replied, "No it wasn't, that's Wednesday." she just looks at me like I'm crazy and says, "Today is Thursday...." jeez. I really need to get with it! Okay, I'm outta here....