Shocked, Horrified, Sickened

This just makes me want to scream.

At first I thought I'd post about this article and talk in hypotheticals about how I hope to raise my daughter (IF I have one) and teach her values, morals, etc. And then I stopped and realized, this all stemmed from a guy (sorry, I just cannot call that cowardly slimeball scumbag a man because he's not one AT ALL). I have a son. What can I do, especially as a mother, to raise my son to be an upstanding man and how to properly treat women?

I know the best way children learn is by watching their parents. Fortunately this is an easy one because not only is Rob just plain wonderful anyway, but we both love and respect one another, even when we drive each other crazy. ;) I want Gavin to learn early on it's "Ladies first." I'd like for him to open doors for his grandmothers, offer to help Mom with dinner or dishes, be respectful to girl friends and girlfriends. All that stuff. I could not tolerate my son becoming violent and abusive. In fact, I will not.

If you're curious on his progress thus far with treatment of girls... well, let's just say that he's a toddler and he's a toddler BOY. Rob and Gavin do this head butting thing as like a funny-guy-bonding-show-of-affection (yeah, I'm with you girls. I don't get it either). Well now Gavin's head butting the girls at day care, most particularly Sydney (an adorable little blonde). *siiiiiigh* We're working on him. I don't expect lessons to truly click until he's well past his teen years but I can still try!

Nothing else to say but

YUMMY!!!

I WANT ONE!!!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/03/16/mosquito.laser.weapon/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Could I PLEASE install one of these in my backyard?? :D

Another good one!

Ok so I've been sort of on the look out for years now for a chicken cacciatore recipe that did not involve peppers (which Rob despises) or mushrooms (which although we both will eat on occasion in certain dishes, it's not an ingredient we like showcased). Last weekend while getting my Food Network fix I finally saw one that not only left out the stuff I knew wouldn't fly in my house, but it also looked EASY and FAST and ECONOMICAL. :D I made it tonight and it's a winner!!!

If you want the original recipe click here. Otherwise see below for my subtle variation:

about 3 slices bacon, chopped or snipped with kitchen shears (approx 1/2 cup)
3 scallions, thinly sliced
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 lb chicken thighs, each cut into 4 pieces
Garlic powder
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/2 cup white wine
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp sugar
1 (14oz) can cannellini beans

1. Put bacon, sliced scallions and chopped rosemary into a pan with a sprinkle of garlic powder and fry for a couple minutes.
2. Add bite-sized chicken pieces, stirring well, and sprinkle in the celery salt.
3. Pour in the wine and let it come to a bubble before adding the tomatoes, bay leaves and sugar. Put the lid on and let the pan simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Drain and rinse the canned beans and add them to the pan. Warm through and serve.

Really good over rice! :)

Weight and Wellness update

In case anyone is curious (or cares), I've been doing really well with the crazy Wii Fit motivator. That little board is kinda uncaring about your reasons for not at the very least checking in so I try to do that as often as I can. I can't work out using the Wii Fit as much as I'd like because after a day at the office, I. Am. Tired. But with what I have done I've lost 12 lbs. :D

Not all of this is because of exercise. A crucial weightloss component in the last month or so was getting viciously sick. That has to at least account for about 3 lbs or so. I've also been forced to confront how I eat and this is probably the biggest source for me. I've always been able to eat what I want and sometimes not really worry about portions and been fine. NOT SO ANYMORE! Wow, that small second helping or the handful of this or that fun-size afternoon Snickers pick-me-up really does translate into a pound here and there, which all adds up. Cutting out the snacks (thank GOD for gum with that one), cutting back a little on my portions AND being aware of when I am full have helped a LOT. I hope to lose another pound or two (we'll see) and then just maintain that.

The one downer in all this? I'd finally been trying to accept my size and buying clothes to fit it. Now those clothes (PANTS) are too big. I hate pant shopping. HATE IT. Someone please tell me why designers of pants in my price range keep insisting on using models and forms that have no hips! OR they do have hips but then the waist must not be that much smaller. These people must not live in the same reality that I do. Maybe I should just buy some belts and hope that a loved one will be so affronted by my belted-too-big pants that I'll be accepted onto What Not to Wear. ;)