Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

That is one sour strawberry!

***picture courtesy of Tanner***

More from Monica's Cupboard

Back Bean Rice Chili

2 cans black beans, rinsed, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (if your canned tomatoes are sliced or whole, you can dice them)
1 can corn, undrained
1 can Green Enchilada sauce
2 cups water
1 chicken bullion cube
Cumin (1- 2 tsp maybe, I'm afraid I can't remember, you can do it to taste I am sure)
About 1 cup wild rice (or whatever is left in the bag, white rice will work too I bet)

Combine ingredients into a medium large saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and children are whining about whether dinner is done yet because it smells so good!


A Tip
I found today that you can replace peanut butter for butter in brownies when you are out of butter and payday is tomorrow, but you have been wanting to make brownies for the last three days and decide it would be fun to experiment anyway. Just add about a Tbs. of milk for 1/2 cup peanut butter. Batter will still be thick. It makes filling, tasty brownies!

While on the Subject of Food and Slim Pickin's

Today for lunch I opted for noodles (bread takes too long if you wait until you're hungry to start it). But, what to put on them? Well, we had a bit of Italian dressing left, which is pretty good with Parmesan, but we were out of cheese. Not as good. So I tried adding a can of tomatoes (well, 1/2 can since it is just Landon and I) with the dressing (heat until warm). Really Good!

Also another idea recently. Easy Peasy cinnamon rolls. My boys love them. Make a batch of dough for biscuits (whatever is your favorite recipe will work I bet), roll it out, spread with melted butter (whatever it takes, a couple of TBS's maybe) and cinnamon-sugar (2TBS sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon), roll up like cinnamon rolls, cut with a string, bake as directed for biscuits, and top with powdered sugar icing (I used some left from when Adria made cookies, but it would probably only need 1/2 the recipe, if that, although it was convenient to have in the refrigerator to use for a couple of days).

A lesson learned over and over....

Never sign a contract to buy things like books, Cd's, or videos. Even if they say you may cancel at any time. Although, that does help- a bit. I have had a problem canceling a CD by mail thing before, despite the 'cancel at any time' note. Right now we cannot afford the Book of Mormon videos that we are paying for every other month (for the past two years), and my children don't watch them, and I can't get out of it without paying 1/3 of what I still have left! I don't have 1/3 of anything right now. What was I thinking?

Recipes

Well I've been living a little lean lately and came up with some recipes based off other recipes depending on what I had on hand. I thought I would share some.

Pizza

1/2 recipe of Janice's Good Bread (makes 2 med. pizza's and 1 loaf, or 4 med pizza's I suppose)

1/2 jar spaghetti sauce

cheese

Make bread dough according to directions. Spread thinly onto pan or cookie sheet in desired pizza shape. Spread with sauce and cover with cheese. [This time I used Monterey Jack and sprinkled it with Parmesan. Because that is what I had.] Bake at 425 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes (maybe longer if you use a cookie sheet, my pizza pans have holes in the bottom).

White Turkey Chili

1 lb. ground turkey, browned (sprinkle with chicken seasoning if you prefer, I did) - this is a lot more affordable than other meat these days, and it is low fat!

1 can corn

2 16 oz cans of Navy Beans (I used Bush's)

2 cups of chicken broth (I used 2 bullion cubes and 2 cups of water)

6 TBS olive oil

1/2 TBS onion powder

6 TBS flour

4 tsp ground cumin

Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (optional)

Sour Cream (optional)

Salsa (optional)

Brown ground turkey. While it is cooking pour beans, chicken broth, and corn into a medium sauce pan, start heating to bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, mix the oil, flour, and seasonings. Add to sauce pan. Add turkey to the sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for ten minutes. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, and/or salsa. We just used cheese, really good.

Oh Pooh.

What a weekend. Starting with being late for scouts, then being stuck at home because I can't find my wallet, and somewhere during the hunt for my wallet I lose my keys (Stephen being out of town with his keys). Not paying attention as Jacob grabs the blender as I go by so that it crashes to the floor in many pieces, and being excited for a dinner somewhat invented on my own only to have biscuits that tasted strongly of baking soda... Anyway, I strangely don't need a nap from depression, but to bring me down a bit. I'm struggling not to feel manic as far as I can tell.

Later....I found my keys! I was able to get a couple of bills paid. And Jacob has his first tooth!

Peanut Butter the Second

Something to Say

If they're all wrong. That means I'm right.


By the way, does anyone understand exactly why the stock market affects the economy on down to those of us who sometimes grow our own food? Would putting a lot of money into banks, etc. really help the country, or is it just a band-aid that will be bad for our children in the future? Where is the money coming from? I'd really like to know.
I saw on the news that Citibank is buying out a bank and taking on their debts and in the process taking pay cuts. Cool.
Anyway, I would love some opinions, and more especially, more knowledge on this if anyone knows where to direct me (you know, some really basics to start with, like a picture that shows how these things connect to affect the country - including the little guy).

The First in the Peanut Butter and Jelly Series

Well, if you have a laptop, I guess you can turn it sideways. I couldn't see a way to turn the video in the applications that I am familiar with. Anyone know how to do that?

Remember when?

Does this bring an "awww" of remembering to anyone else?

Picture courtesy of http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/

Melanie, check this out.

This is really cute. I came across this blog through Beth's page and noticed they have a Molly too!

Grosgrain: Wandering Waif Collection GIVEAWAY!!!!

PINK

To Megan in pink.

You know it just hit me how versatile pink is. I remember once someone telling me grey or tan went with everything, but now I would have to say pink. Think about it. Pink and blue are cute. Pink and green, pink and brown, pink and black, pink and purple, pink and red, pink and white, pink and yellow, and pink and grey (or tan). Oh,yes, and in the current Fons&Porter magazine there is the cutest quilt that is pink and orange! It definitely good to be pink!

Ziploc Omelets

I hope it is o.k. to post this. My mom emailed this (from her friend Janice Reay)to Megan and I, and I love that there are no dirty pans and you don't have to stand over the stove forever. I'm thinking this would be great to use camping too:

This works great!!! Good for when you're alone or when all your family is together. The best feature is that no one has to wait for their special omelet. Have the guests write their name on a Quart Size Ziploc Freezer Bag with a permanent marker.

1. Crack 2 eggs into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.

2. Put out a variety of ingredients such as: Cheeses, Ham, Onions, Green Peppers, Tomatoes, Hash Browns, Salsa, Etc.

3. Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake the bag to mix them well.

4. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.


5. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. If you have more omelets, make another pot of boiling water.

6. Cut the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be pre pared for everyone to be amazed.



7. Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and it becomes a great conversation activity.
Imagine having these ready the night before, and putting the bag in boiling water while you get ready. And in just 13 minutes you have a nice omelet for a quick breakfast.

Funny

Today I was getting after Bryce and Landon to rinse their breakfast plates and finally Bryce heads over to the counter and says "Landon, if you don't come rinse your plate I am going to do them both!" Umm. Landon wasn't exactly motivated to do his.

Don't get Mad get Glad

Man, sometimes that is easier said than done. We've been doing so good, but today the children were literally ignoring anything I asked them to do, and I finally lost it. It is totally something I did to Mom (trying to say I would do it later), but she just did it herself. So although I believe the children need to clean up after themselves, I also believe I need to be stronger and not let the needling get to me. All I know is that is not who I want to be.

Idaho

I don't have pictures I am afraid. My camera is on the fritz again. I also wrote a thank you note to Jedd and Celeste for our first visit, and never mailed it, so I thought I would try the blog.
So;
Thank You!
We loved our visits to Idaho! Here are the top 10 (not necessarily in this order):
1. Pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips. Mmmmm!
2. Strawberry and apricot syrups
3. Sledding
4. Very good sleep. We were so comfortable both visits. Elisa's room was very welcoming and sweet.
5. A wonderful shower (Micquel brought that to my mind actually, how great that really was).
6. A beautiful waterfall
7. Tubing
8. A chicken coop!
9. Good company
10. A nice breeze..

And so much more, I am sure, my memory isn't always the best! Thanks for setting everything up and allowing us to stay with you!

Cookie recipes for Micquel to try

So here are the cake mix cookies I told Micquel might work for her:

1 cake mix (any flavor)
1 box of pudding (regular size - some complementing flavor to cake mix, or vanilla)
1/2 c oil
2 eggs
3 TBS water (or juice)

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

OR

(from Adria's friend Cathryn)
---don't use Duncan Hines brand---
1 cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c oil
1 tsp vanilla

Roll into balls. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes. Bottoms will be slightly brown and tops will be wrinkled.

Good luck!

What I Learned While Mopping the Floor.

The other day after I had swept the kitchen and decided I could mop, I headed to the front entry thinking it would be good to do that little square of floor too. On my way there, cheerfully thinking of the pretty shine it would be, I looked down the stairs and felt kind of ornery. They were a mess, why did the kids do this? Then pushing away the discouragement (it made me want to sit down and give up), I thought of how pretty the kitchen floor would be when I was finished and it was all shiny. Do you see? If you look at the mess and that is all you see, it is depressing and discouraging, but if you see the potential, the pretty it will be, it is actually fun and exciting!
You'll See!
"It's all how you look at it." - PBS I think

For me it also helps to pick one thing I can face, even if I start grumpy, and I find as I get moving it's not so bad. (It's kind of like excersize when you haven't done it for a while, you dread the first steps, only to realize you feel better after you've taken them).

So, Which One do You Like Better?

Also, have any of you seen August Rush? Beautiful movie.

hmmm

So I realized yesterday, that my closet looks like (forgive me) Stephen's Mother's did the first time I met her. I remember being weirded out by it because she had almost nothing in the rest of the house. My closet got this way because towels and blankets kept piling up in the boys room and I got so tired of wearing them out washing them, I decided they could each use one, and if they wet the bed they could wash it. It isn't working so great, but at least they don't pile up in their room as bad. Also I had them pile toys and garbage and even clothes into garbage bags one day because they were whining about cleaning, and then confiscated them (well, some of them) to my room so they wouldn't end up all over the floor again. Their room is a mess anyway, somehow. I'm working on that though.
I am a little concerned about Bryce. He got up this morning fine, but when his Dad asked about whether his pants were peed (were) he cryed. This really sad cry, and it was really simply stated, and they've all wet their beds before, and we learned with T not to make a big deal about it, so we haven't with Bryce (who doesn't have anywhere near the problem T had), and he kept saying he just wiped them with a rag - also he had a bit of a bloody nose (I think he has a nervous habit where he picks it?) which he hasn't had in a long time. Anyway, his tears didn't fit the situation - if you are a mother I think you would know what I mean. You get to know your childs cries, responses, etc. You know? Probably it was just staying up too late watching a movie, and me getting ornery (don't clean the house after 10:00 at night, it is way too easy to get yourself worked up, eh) about little stupid messes that clean up easily. Although I may not have been totally out of place telling Stephen to help change a light bulb and that the yard needed weeding (however, I didn't do it nicely, which was very wrong of me, sorry).
On another note:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE!

Miscellaneous

Happy Birthday!

(dang, I should have cropped that cup out of the picture, but I'm not going to do it now, heh)
Adria and I had lots of fun shopping and decorating for her birthday [She did the decorating, actually, but I had fun thinking how fun that is - 8)]. She had most of it in the trailer! Then she and her friends had a blast late into the night.


Onto copying Megan: 8)!

I love the keeping the (flylady) sink shiny thing! My kids have been pretty good about putting their dishes in the dishwasher (not the sink) and if they don't I call them back to do it. No one has complained because they decided they like not doing dirty dishes. Also, I am better about putting pans and such straight into the dishwasher because I like my shiny sink. Stephen gets ornery about it, but he gets ornery about dishes in the sink too, so we'll let it pass. Also, it seems to spread, look at this clean stove top!




Also, I have been loving my morning and bedtime routines! Just a little pampering goes a long way!

I learned something

The other night I was struggling with feeling dark, angry, mean, and just keeping hold of myself, but still being kind of rude, I'd have to say. The next morning I woke up still feeling that way. So when Jacob finished nursing before anyone else was up, I stepped outside and just looked at the roses at the front of my house and appreciated how beautiful they were and that feeling ebbed, and I took a breath of that early morning air and remembered how much I love that crips early time, it has it's own new fresh smell, and just appreciated it, and the feeling was gone, and I have been walking pretty high ever since.
It is a lovely feeling. Thank you.

Another blog

Wish lists and 'photo shopping' on my other blog.
http://buyingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com/

Here is a post I came across that I love. Cracks me up.
http://lightrefreshmentsserved.com/2008/06/19/not-bad-for-a-middle-aged-woman/

Nada

I just liked this photo so I thought I would share it.

Happy Father's Day!

So I was working on this a lot yesterday, but between kids (esp. baby), and my own hubby having a Father's Day, I didn't finish it. This is a hodge podge for the two main fathers in my life.

This next video wasn't supposed to have sound affects, but Ammon started practicing some noises while I was video taping. Turned out pretty hilarious.

Great Quote:

"Sound making, like life, requires a playful, fearless spirit: you have to be willing to look and sound like a moron..." -Fred Newman

Flag Day

A design that helps lead a nation.
Thanks for our freedom.

Hopefully we can uphold the values that make us the U.S.

and continue to improve, not self-destruct.

So maybe a milk allergy?

Well, I had read about what foods to avoid to help gassy/fussy babies, one of them being dairy. I went without milk products for a couple of days and he did a lot better, still a bit gassy but not so it bothered him as much. Then yesterday I had pizza because I was so darn hungry (I never realized before how much of my diet is dairy - yogurt, cheese tortillas, grilled cheese, cereal, oatmeal, pizza, pasta sauces, ice cream...you get the idea), and last night he had a harder time again. He didn't cry for hours or anything colicky like that, but he was in pain and crying a lot worse until he got over some gas, then today he has had a bit of a hard time breathing. Yes that has happened before, but it would, so I was thinking, 'what, are we going to have our first case of asthma'? Then he had no problems for a couple of days, and lo and behold, today, after pizza, he has a problem (so his chest sucks in when he is trying to breathe, scary). I also had read, in that same magazine that this is one reaction to dairy when there is an allergy - not lactose intolerance, that is different.
Is there some way to test for this to see if I am right? I will have to look that up I guess.
Also, I've had some terrible back pain for about a week so that I couldn't stand up straight (picture an old lady, my entire upper body had to be bent forward with a deep bend in my legs and my right hip seemed off somehow), but today for an entire oh, half hour being up and about making some non-dairy sopapillas- because we are out of bread and eggs and I had to have something for breakfast- I didn't think once about walking funny, or about my aching back. I think it is working out. If I lay flat and am off of it for a while it improves immensely -for a while- so it has a lot to do with having no abdominal muscles and carrying a baby around I'm sure.

And a photo. Adria made this today- all her own idea and effort. Pretty cute!

Finally Here's Some Jacob - He's already 1 month old!

Tanner had a birthday!

I'm Blue- baba be baba boo

I feel better just writing that. Interesting.
Well, a lot of random embarrassing negativity follows so if you want to skip down to the positive note, please do.
Anyway, last night, the thought went through my head "she broke her heart", and not knowing who it referred to or where it came from, I cried and cried, and assumed I was the 'bad guy', and I keep thinking I've done something that estranged Adria that I can't seem to get right, even though she doesn't act that way. Then the thought came that "she's ruining him, he was going to be president", and the same thing, not knowing what the heck it was all about I was depressed and knew I was the bad guy. So this morning (can you call it morning when you only sleep two hours the first half, and two hours (broken) the last half?) I got up convinced I am the bad guy and no matter what anyone does to help I am going to ruin something no matter what I do, and maybe it would fix everything if I just die. { I also keep having this recurring thought that "she's going to get cancer and die" and I continually worry about who that is although I usually talk myself out of it and say it will be more like sleeping beauty and she'll (whoever she is) just sleep for a while not die.}

Don't worry, I don't literally have a death wish, I am just insane at the moment and hoping it is just baby blues or even postpartum depression. I can't leave the baby with Stephen when Jacob is crying because I am insane, but then when he finally sleeps I don't want to sleep anymore to the point I can't sleep, and strangely I feel guilty just thinking about sleeping right now. But really I feel better just saying so, and less sleepy and less emotional. I am a little worried about when Jacob wakes up though, and now I am crying again. I know what to expect with this postpartum stuff really, but it still floors me sometimes. Stephen keeps trying to get me to go see a movie with Adria and it is one I thought I wanted to see, but when it comes down to it I don't want to go anywhere. I can't win. Then another day I am up and out of the house shopping for baby stuff and groceries and it is a good happy day.

Sunday was really hard first thing in the morning, and I wanted to go to Mom's, then the rest of the day was really nice and I enjoyed staying home even, so when the kids wanted to go to Mom's I didn't feel like we needed to go anymore. Maybe today will be similar. Ammon is missing Grayson, though. He was really bored Sunday. Now that Mom and Dad have the pool, once it is up and running I thought it might be nice to live closer and take advantage of their back yard a lot because we can't afford gas to go there as often. I am tempted to do like a friend told me once, and pay credit cards with credit cards....but that would just keep the vicious circle going I know. I keep thinking there must be something I can do at home while he sleeps (I can work a computer and hold him at the same time if that is the only way he will sleep), but I have a hard time knowing what are legitimate businesses to try at home. Like some data entry or something. And a lot of them I looked at online require money for training or a web site or whatever. Where would I get that? I am way too afraid of using borrowed money because if it doesn't work out or isn't legitimate we will be even worse off. Also, I worry that we would just use what I make to justify more debt, although, perhaps it wouldn't be as bad if it were something I could do at home whenever I was able, rather than running on someone else's schedule, and stressing about leaving the kids or just not seeing the older ones much if I worked when Stephen was home - after school. Maybe I could sell (sale?) baby quilts. I have made two of my own design for gifts that were well received, and they sew up pretty fast. I don't know. Maybe there isn't a market for that anyway. We are thinking of trying to sell the boat and quad and trailer, but the chances seem slim because of gas prices....maybe that is just our excuse, although we really are ready to sell the boat I think.

Last night I told Tanner he couldn't go to lagoon with a friend for his birthday like we planned, and he was so sad, but not demanding or anything. He is such a sweetheart. Then this morning I decided we would just use a credit card anyway. We have got to stop that though, because we really can't afford more debt, you know.

Anyway, sorry, everyone has their financial woes - or if not, some other kind - so sorry for unloading.



On a positive note:

Our basement is coming along. Stephen got sheet rock up in Adria's room except for the closet and two walls and most of the ceiling in the family room in the basement. So that is exciting. Adria is out of school so that is cool. All of the children are doing really well in school and are healthy (but often looking tired too, I'm afraid), and have some good friends. We have power, hot water and beautiful roses and food, and the Internet to vent through.



Oh! And what fun, Landon has learned to ride a two wheeler! It is so cute to seem him ride on the tiny little bike. I have to tell you the story. Saturday Landon comes in and says "Mom, do you know about bikes?" And I look at him "What about them?", "DO YOU KNOW ABOUT BIKES?", "I know, I mean what about bikes?" , "Well I was riding my bike but I keep falling over, so do you know about bikes?", "Falling over? Oh, you mean you are trying to ride a two wheeler?" , "Yes. Can you teach me about bikes?" Ammon ended up teaching him. He's the one that taught Tanner too. Bryce is motivated now too, and he is persevering despite the fact Landon learned it faster. Here is a video. Sorry it is dark and grainy - cloudy day, one handed, and limited experience with my camera on this setting....

In the News - Sheesh!

An eight year old girl's intestines were damaged from eating Magnetix magnets and balls, and the parents want the toys taken off the shelves.
WHAT THE CRAP?
Their eight year old needs psychological help and/or vitamin deficiency testing. An eight year old?!! All the kids I know that age who are "normal" wouldn't swallow something like this (she had 30 pieces inside, so it's not like she was playing with one haphazardly in her mouth and accidentally swallowed). By this age they even know not to put something like that in their mouths because they might choke - they still might, but they would know better. 30 pieces though? Sheesh. We really like this learning toy and have had no problems with a 4 year old, 8 year old, and 11 year old, playing with them -other than leaving them all over the house. Maybe that's it - perhaps the parents forced her to eat them whenever they found them around the house? Once again, SHEESH.

New Arrival

So most of you, if not all of you, know we have a little boy. He's two weeks old now. His name is Jacob Emeron Riley. Jake to some already. Jacob Emerson to Social Security - someone messed up. I wish I could post a picture, but my camera seems to have broken itself. Stephen swears he won't buy me another one.
[Maybe I can use the memory card in the printer and access the pictures that way? Ill have to try it. ]

Have you heard of this?

http://utahsown.utah.gov/CommunitySupportedAgriculture.htm

This is a program where you pay for weekly produce at the beginning of the season and pick it up every week. Anyway, I am kind of interested and wonder what you think?
The farm in West Point is closest to me and is less expensive than Zoe's Garden. I like the info. and presentation from Zoe's Garden - and it's organic- but it is way more expensive. However, they do deliver to Provo. The Kaysville website wasn't impressive, and pick up seemed more inconvenient.

Everyone note Cathies new blog. I edited my link so you can get there!

Good deals

I am having great fun matching sales with manufacturers coupons. One of my favorite today: two packs of gum for $0.04. I walked out of the store smiling with surprise and excitement. Albertson's had Extra gum buy one get one free (I only noticed on my way out) and I had a coupon for buy on get one free! It seemed too good to be true, but it worked out just fine! Anyway, I like to look through ads and keep them around and never use them, so this has been fun actually cutting them out and using a lot of them for better deals than I knew there were. Thanks to Celeste!

***note: Shopko had something similar with a buy a toothbrush get a toothpaste free, and they wouldn't honor my manufacturers coupon.

Hungry hungry hippo

The last two days I have been starving! I don't know what hit me, but about the same time each day I could eat a horse. Seriously. Yesterday I felt weak with hunger even, it's so crazy, so we (Landon and I, then Stephen called as we were leaving so he met us there) went to a buffet and filled ourselves to the top. It was amazing how much better I felt. I didn't get hungry the rest of the night except for a twinge of sick feeling which went away with an ice cream bar.
Today we used a coupon for a buy one get one free burger (I ate the little bit of left over 'lasagna skillet', from the kids dinner last night, and jello w/fruit first - insufficient), and I still feel unsatisfied. At least I don't feel as weak as yesterday.
I think I am going to get a lot of the nutty granola bars when they go on sale at Albertson's(tomorrow, but I have to wait until payday Thurs.), maybe that will help. Perhaps hot pockets as well. It seems to be hard to keep fulfilling lunch food in the house.
Anyway, here's to full tummies and pantries.
Have a good one!

Feelings - I know sounds corny, makes me think of that song....

Just wanted to clarify.

I have been looking forward to having this baby. Every now and then some things that are hard about babies come to mind, but I wouldn't change things now for the world.

This morning I want this baby so bad it is kind of crazy. It is good whether it is a boy or a girl. I am so glad I will be home with a baby again, I am in no rush to get a job, I just was thinking that way because Landon is growing up and money is always tight, but Stephen is working on that.

Yesterday was a wonderful, light, sort of day. I really enjoyed the visit at my parents. Even though I haven't been going to church, it has felt better lately and I haven't been fighting it-yesterday I really didn't feel like I needed to go, but it wasn't the same dread or even inability I had had about going before that.

Today I feel like I have a lot of tears, but I'm not necessarily sad. I feel kind of afraid, but of nothing specific. Maybe it is more worried. As a result I kind of hurt physically, but again it's not specific. Spiritual things bring it up a bit more, but primary songs only did a bit yesterday so I could let the children have them on. Christmas music still hurts somehow. I am o.k. with it, I just don't want to hear it - I am not into self-torture, really.

I really enjoyed doing puzzles the past couple of days. I like video games. I haven't been liking dishes and laundry at all, but I didn't mind doing them yesterday. I like to crochet with really soft yarn. I haven't been liking cooking again, but I have been cooking when I can think of something to make that doesn't sound too bad or hard. I like the house clean, but it doesn't tear me up when it's dirty for a while, until it does and then I enlist all the kids to help, sometimes with a temper, sometimes without.

I get hungry, but nothing sounds good- I will eat if something is there that doesn't take too long or too much imagination. I can't eat ramen noodles (not a big loss I am sure) and I have a hard time facing peanut butter and jelly, but once I start eating it I don't mind it.

I love my family.