Great Games #AtoZChallenge

I have always loved playing games and luckily my family does too. Our current favorites are:

Monopoly Deal will feel familiar, since it's based on Monopoly. Same properties, but completely new rules. And the best part, the hands are quick - like 15 minutes! You might think you're ahead, but don't be surprised if you suddenly find yourself losing your properties and the game. Angie picked this game up very quickly when she was still 7, but it's fun for kids and adults alike. Highly recommended.

Phase 10 is a lot of fun, but will take much longer to play. You have to complete 10 different phases (hands) to win the game. You keep score after each hand, but if you're the first one to finish all of the phases, you win regardless of what your score is. The Skip cards in this game can be played against anyone, not just the person to your left, which adds to the fun. You can play two player, but the more players you have the more fun it is. Angie also picked this one up quickly at 7, and it's also not just a game for kids. Bonus, I had her keep score, which helps with her addition skills. Also highly recommended. 

What games do you and your family play? Any recommendations? We're always in the market for new games :)

Favorite Things #AtoZChallenge

These are a few of my favorite things...

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - a genre-defying novel that has been one of my favorite books for over 20 years now.

The Starz Outlander series. You can now subscribe to Starz via Amazon Prime, or on its own. MUCH cheaper than cable. They have done an amazing job with the Outlander series so far. I am so glad that no one tried to cram this amazing novel into a 2 hour movie; 15 hours is barely enough time.

Audible.com - I drive 2+ hours a day and audio books have changed my life. Where I used to suffer from road rage, I now enjoy my drive because it's entertaining. If I'm in the middle of a particularly good book, which is the norm, I'm almost glad when it lasts a little longer. If you travel at all, I cannot recommend audio books enough. Plus, Audible has amazing sales - Two for One, Daily Deals less than $5, somehow they're always sucking me into another, amazing series. Great service.

These two... they complete me :)

Crafty Saturdays - Glass Painting

Last year Angie, Pat and I started doing Crafty Saturdays. We've had a lot of fun with them!

Some of our first projects were glass painting. You can do so many things with glass paints, between the three of us we've made:

• Christmas ornaments
• Picture frames
• Glasses
• Vases
• Pencil cups
• Pictures

Many of these ended up as gifts - which made it even more fun. 

A lot of people asked how we made these projects - it's actually pretty simple and is not expensive.

We use Plaid paints. To get started, I recommend their book Glass Art: The Easy Way. You can get it on Amazon for about $4 used ($0.01, plus shipping). The book tells you exactly how to lay out the leading and create different paint effects. There are also several patterns in there that you can use for a wide variety of projects.

You can also pick up the paints on Amazon - individually or in packs. Michael's also carries them, and other craft stores may as well. The paints are a few dollars each, and are plenty big enough to use on many projects. 

Here are some of our projects:

This was for my friend Lisa - she had created the picture in the back, I recreated it on a glass.

This one always reminds me of Stephanie <3 td="">

I designed this one - it was my very first project. A Christmas present for my mother in law :)

A Christmas present for my step mom - more on these ones below.

One of my favorites - I just love his expression. 

Pat's kitchen cabinet doors.

This idea actually came straight out of the book I mentioned.

The process is very simple. 

Lay out the leading - either by tracking a picture under the glass or free handing it. 

These were inspired by an artist named Jean Paul

I purchased these canisters from Target - they worked great!

Then lay in the color, be sure not to add too much or it will run. For these, we swirled the colors.

Then let them dry. Finally, add Crystal Clear (it's another Plaid "color") around the edges of the leading to seal the paint. On these we also swirled Crystal Clear over the rest of the canisters to give them sort of a frosted finish. 

If you goof up, and we did a few times on these actually, you can simply score and peel off the portions that didn't work out and start over. 

G is for Grandmother #AtoZChallenge

Some of my earliest memories are of times with my Grandmother. She taught me my numbers by teaching me to play card games. I'd play solitaire and she'd feed me buttered crackers, or sliced ring bologna with mustard on it, or Lipton Cup of Soup.

Sometimes I would watch Sesame Street and they'd flash a word on the screen. I couldn't read yet so I'd start yelling "Grandma, Grandma, come here quick!!" and she'd come running in in a panic to find me frantically pointing at the tv screen. "What does that say?!" LOL It's a wonder she didn't throttle me.

It has been a very long time since those days, but whenever I think of her, I think of those times. And other times playing card games around her kitchen table. I am certain my love of games comes from those early games with Grandma.

I miss those days, and I miss my Grandma too.

August 2007 - Grandma, Dad, Aunt Pat, Me and Angie - 4 Generations!

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Today's photo prompt is new, so I'll use this prompt to show off my new leg tattoo. I got a rose because my husband has a rose tattoo on his arm. Although they don't really look alike, it makes me think of him. I got it on and for my birthday last week. I'm currently in the OMG it's ITCHY phase :)

Just... everywhere! - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

You may recall The Horseradish Incident of 2012... well I suppose this is something of a continuation of that story (much to my husband's joy, I am sure).

To bring any new readers up to date, we have established that horseradish mixed with steak sauce and slathered on tri tip steak is super yummy. Related, my husband sometimes suffers at the dinner table (and not always because of my cooking).

So there I was, innocently eating my horseradish and steak sauce slathered steak when suddenly something wet hits my arm. I looked down with a "what the..." then back up at Lenny.

It seems I failed to screw the top back onto the steak sauce bottle.

And Lenny shook it...

HARD

And steak sauce went just... everywhere! All over his face (which was dripping with it), his shirt, the floor, the table cloth, my arm, my shirt, the dog... but not the kid, she was happy to report that she wasn't hit.

So, again, I did what any loving wife would do, I laughed my ass off. Related: I need to keep my camera by my side at all times.

I found the top of the bottle clear across the kitchen and am now doing laundry. I swear, the most absurd things happen around me... and I love every one of them.

Well, most of them at least.

Updated: Google apparently reads my blog...

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Today's photo challenge is "where you ate breakfast," which just so happens to be where I ate dinner. This picture is before the steak sauce incident

See that jacket? That was also covered in steak sauce... 

Ginger - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

Last year I did G is for Goober, so this year I'll dedicate G to Ginger. Ginger is a pure-bred Chocolate Lab and frankly the dumbest dog I've ever met. She's sweet and loving, and thinks (despite her 90lbs) that she is a lap dog, but really just not smart. Ginger's favorite things to do are eat, itch and shake her ears; especially at about 2 a.m. (the last two at least, she'll eat any time she has a chance).

She also has allergies. Every year about this time she gets ITCHY, poor thing. She'll be four this June.

Huh?

Hi, I'm Ginger. Daddy named me Ginger, but really I'm brown.

And Goober (aka Guinness) is still around. He just turned 13. He's old and grumpy. He's either going deaf, or just doesn't care to listen anymore. Sometimes he doesn't eat his morning cookie, but will instead just keep it by him all day as Ginger looks at it fondly. 

Grumble, Grumble, Grumble.

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Although you can see Guinness' shadow (today's photo challenge) I thought I'd add one of me.

HI!

Darling Husband & Dad - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

This post is dedicated to my darling husband, who makes me very happy. I am so very proud of him and so grateful almost every day that I share my life with him! He's my best friend, my co-singer of silly songs, the other parent held hostage by Monster Baby best daddy ever and just as silly as I am. We are a perfect match :)

Someone who makes me VERY happy :)

Also starting with a D, and someone who makes me happy, is my own Dear Ol' Dad, otherwise known as Grandpa, the crazy guy with the riding mower next door (who has 50 square feet of grass) and one of The 'Rents. I love you Daddy!

This would make an awesome Timeline Cover Photo on Facebook, no? :)

Next up: E and "tiny"

Celebration - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

Today I celebrate my 41st birthday. Looking back on my 40th year...

There was an Exploding Couch

A graduation ceremony

A new family member - NomNom (her Facebook page is here)

Another year with my very sexy husband (and a Film Noir shoot)

A lot of wonderful days, and nights.

A visit from Aunt Pat

A whole lot of love. 

Some wonderful new friends.

And a lot of simple joy.

Yep, it's been a good year. Here's to another great year with my wonderful family and friends.

___________________________

Mail - cards, catalogs, celebrations and Cycle World. (and Bloomberg, but it doesn't start with a C)

Next up: D and a photo of "someone who makes you happy"

I have become a 1950's man...

Lenny was laid off in late June. For six glorious months I had a House Husband. He cooked, he did the shopping, he didn't do all of the housework, but he certainly helped. I should point out that Lenny is Italian, and a very good cook. He also knows how to "balance" meals, something I am not good at.

Money was tight, but life was good.

Then he went and got a job...

The first full day he worked, he came home after six. I met him at the door, "I don't think this is going to work out."

"What? Why? What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure I appreciate this selfish desire of yours to work outside of the home. I had to cook my own dinner!" Obviously I was upset. I mean, have you tried my cooking?

And what did he do? He burst out laughing. The nerve. So, I fed him dinner.

That shut him up. Ha!

It's been about two and half months now. We're limping along. The bills are getting paid, but I've had to suffer my own cooking on far too many evenings. Some nights Lenny will call me to tell me he's on his way home from work and I announce "good, I just started dinner. I'm experimenting!"

[Silence]

"Aren't you excited?"

"Do you want me to pick up something to eat on my way home?"

I remind you, this is his fault. I was quite happy having a House Husband, but noooo he wanted to have a job.

He still makes my lunch for me, complete with snacks to eat for breakfast at work and throughout the day, but when I come home I like to have a nice meal waiting for me. Who doesn't?

Then last week, I called out to the garage where he was working on his bike after getting home. "Um hun, where's my romantic Valentine's Day dinner?" I asked.

"You know, I was talking to one of the guys at work and he suggested that maybe I already do too much for you... and if I do things for you all of the time it's not as special," he offered.

The nerve. "Oh really? Haven't I told you not to talk to your 'friends' about these things? That guy probably doesn't have a happy relationship. In fact, I bet he's destined to die unhappy and alone. Besides, it's always special."

Lenny appeared to agree, but we ended up eating leftovers for dinner.

I'm keeping an eye on him.

So, my goal in life is now to make enough money that my husband doesn't have to work outside of the home. I'm not sure I like this new crowd he's around...

Oh, and he's incredibly handsome too. It's best to keep him home all to myself :)

Yes, I am incredibly blessed :)

Laugh your way to a better marriage

A few years ago someone sent me this hilarious clip by Mark Gungor called "A Tale of Two Brains"

It's so funny, because it's totally true. I have reenacted that scene so many times to friends, and they always get it. After digging around a little, I discovered that this is just one scene from a marriage seminar.

Now, I know what you're thinking... I hate marriage seminars. I don't need a marriage seminar. It's given by a Pastor? No way, I hate preachy stuff.

I get it, I'm the same way. However, we've owned this DVD set now for two and a half years and we watch it all the time. We recommend it to everyone. Mark Gungor does a fantastic job of keeping things funny, and totally spot on. And the entire seminar is not preachy at all.

He talks about sex, a lot. Like this clip about men's sex drive:

Your marriage doesn't have to be in trouble to get and enjoy this DVD. Watching it will help you communicate better. It explains mysteries like why women have to ask men to do things more than once, or why men can completely zone out and women typically can't.

A few weeks ago I was talking to some workmates and pulled from what Mark taught me when explaining why men and women talk about their problems - and how it's for totally different reasons. Men only talk about their problems if they want a solution - and that's why they're always offering us ladies unsolicited ones! Women talk about their problems because it helps them to figure out how they feel about what's going on. My male friend said "wow, that totally makes sense! I always knew I shouldn't talk or offer solutions when my wife was complaining about something, but never understood why that was!"

I cannot recommend Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor more. It's fantastic. It's funny. It's spot on. It will help you communicate better and understand each other better.

Today was a good day

Nomnom enjoyed her meals.

Angie helped make dinner.

Lenny made fried cauliflower, broccoli and shrimp.

Can't you just feel the love? I can :)

My Very Own Fairy Godmother

I know you've heard of Fairy Godmothers, they've been around for awhile now...

Cinderella had one

Fiona had one

Well I'm not a princess, but I have one too. My Fairy Godmother goes by the name of "Aunt Pat". She's not really my Godmother and she's not really a Fairy, but she has always been one of the most special people in my life. I honestly don't think I would be where I am, or be the person I am today, without her.

Yesterday I came home to find these...

For me: To my girl, you are like the Daughter I never had. I Love You, Hugs and Kisses. Your Fairy Godmother Aunt Pat.

For Angie: To my girl, you are like the Granddaughter I never had. I Love You, Hugs and Kisses. Your Fairy Godmother Aunt Pat.

Mine and Angie's Very Own Fairy Godmother

Aunt Pat, I couldn't love you more if you had been my mother. Thank you... from both Angie and I... for everything. We love you very, very much!

Phases

Children go through a lot of different phases. Angie is only 4, so I have only begun to scratch the surface, I'm sure. Some of these phases are good, some are... uh... not so great...

The cute baby phase.

Not sure what to call this phase.

The Oh My God, Mom is a Tigger Phase.

The I can sit and I'm cool phase.

The Crawling Phase.

Which is followed by the penned up phase.

The walking phase.

The suspicious phase.

 

The Broccoli Phase. 

The Rawr phase.

The cheesy smile phase.

The drama phase.

The learning to walk in heels phase.

The nose picking phase.

The uh... trashy phase?

The fascination with shoes phase.

The computer phase.

The musician phase.

The singer phase.

The pool shark phase.

The Skater Girl phase.

The Crate Training phase. Wait... 

The Supermodel/Evil phase.

The Shutterbug phase.

The Biker Girl phase.

The Biker Girl Fairy phase.

The Princess phase.

The potty training phase.

The tea party phase.

The Grease Monkey phase.

The body art experiment phase.

The Yoga phase.

The Mardi Gras phase.

The creepy life-sized doll phase.

The bikini phase.

The modeling phase.

The Disco Queen phase.

The Fibbing phase. "Charlie messed up my room."

The Burlesque phase.

The self-expression phase.

The poses for Mom now phase.

The Mommy's Girl phase.

The Daddy's Girl phase.

The Lego phase.

The baking phase.

The attitude phase.

The I want to help phase.

I expect to revisit many of these several times actually. Some of these are cute in her preschool years, but will be the end of me when she's a teenager...