Quick Update

I know I've been away but, let me tell you, I have had one hell of a Christmas vacation. It started the week my kids got out of school. Here's how it went:

My son got sick. Sore throat, cold, sneezing...the whole bit. The my daughter started puking. The The Hubs was sniffling and sneezing. Did I mention this was two days before Christmas?

Thank God I stayed healthy, because I was able to better care for everyone else. Son felt better for a few days, and then got worse again. I broke down and took him to the doctor's fearing an ear infection. No ear infection but he tested positive for Strep throat on Christmas Eve.

Great.

The Hubs got better. The daughter got better. The son started taking antibiotics and was feeling better. We had a nice Christmas Day.

Then, on Monday night, I forgot to give my son his second dose of Omoxicillin. We went to bed. When he woke up on Tuesday morning, he was covered from head-to-toe in the worst hives I have ever seen. Turns out, he is severely allergic to Omoxicillin, but unfortunately, his body didn't react until we were five days into the medication. I am so thankful that I forgot that dose the night before, because it could have been much worse, methinks.

The poor kid has been totally miserable and scratchy for the past two days, and I have been teetering on insanity, trying to stay strong to show him it's going to be OK, but going psycho wife on The Hubs (screaming, crying, slobbering mess....yea). I've struggled with trying to be supermom, while watching my poor boy struggle with this reaction....it's been difficult.

The hives, thank God, have finally started to subside this afternoon, and I feel like I can breathe again. And it's New Year's Eve tomorrow night? Yea, screw that holiday. I'm going to bed early! Maybe next year.

I just had to share my week. I swear this has been one of the toughest weeks I've endured as a mother, dealing with this allergic reaction and all the feelings that have come with it. And to be honest, I feel extremely lucky that this is ALL I've ever had to deal with, when so many other mothers out there must endure much more.

So I'm counting my blessings that I have two (almost) healthy children, a loving and faithful husband, and a relatively sane mind to carry into the New Year. I wish you the best in your 2011 adventures! More soon when my house has fully recovered.

Oh, and just to show you how bad the hives were, here are a few shots I took of my boy yesterday. Try not to cry (or throw up).

White Chocolate Popcorn

I wanted to share one of my most favorite holiday treats I make every year for friends and family: White Chocolate Popcorn! It's the best popcorn you will ever eat -- I don't even like white chocolate but I cant get enough of this stuff. It not only tastes good but it's hella easy to make, too. If I can make it, then anyone can.

Here's what you'll need. Pretty simple, right? This year, I popped six bags of popcorn. You should have one bag of white chocolate chips for every one bag of popcorn you pop (although you'll probably have leftover chocolate -- but it's better to have too much than too little).

-1 bag white chocolate chips

-1 bag buttered popcorn

-1 large brown paper bag

Pour a bag of chips into a medium pan and heat on low. I want to stress the LOW heat, peeps -- if you see the chocolate start to harden or turn brown, lower your heat. I was able to melt the chocolate with the lowest heat my stove offered. Stir constantly. MMMM, this smells amazing...

After a few minutes, you'll have a nice, thick sauce. I like to stir all of the lumps out, but you could leave some chunks in there if you want (and if you like the taste of white chocolate by itself).

Pop you bag of popcorn. Let it cool for a few minutes. Place the cooled popcorn into your large brown bag. Then, scoop about a cup's worth of the white chocolate sauce and drizzle it into the brown bag over the popcorn. Close the bag and shake! This will distribute it evenly. Don't worry about how you drizzle the sauce -- it does a good job of getting all over the popcorn. Scoop, drizzle and shake one more time.

Then, pour glazed popcorn into a bowl to cool. Taste your work! I like to make one bag of popcorn first to test how much chocolate I want on it. Some years I've added more chocolate than other years -- it's really up to you on how much you want on. But typically, two scoops of chocolate is plenty.

This was how much I got out of six popped bags of popcorn. I was able to make 25 holiday bags with that! I sent some of the bags off with The Hubs to take to work, and I'll pass them out to the kiddos' teachers and our neighbors. Everyone loves this stuff...and I think you will, too!

Also, stay tuned to The Housewife Diaries for a special Christmas Tupperware Giveaway!

Christmas Giveaway!

I wanted to do a Christmas giveaway and my lovely sister-in-law, Susan, has graciously offered up some Tupperware so that I can give you, my readers, some nice goodies. And what better thing for a housewife to give away than Tupperware!? This can be your present to YOU -- we moms spend so much time during the holidays shopping for everyone else, baking, cleaning, mailing and wrapping presents...pretty much running around like chickens with our heads cut off, that we deseve some nice things for ourselves!

Can I get an Amen?

Stay tuned for the giveaway -- I'll be telling you a little about each product and where to find them in case you want to get yourself some additional goodies. My sister-in-law sent me some to try for myself and I have used what she sent me almost every day. Every day, people! And I don't even cook (just ask The Hubs hehe!).

Check back often and tell your friends -- this isn't a giveaway to miss!

Need a Warm Up? Cruise Update!

I don't know about where you are but, here in Philly, it's effing freezing, and windy. The wind was so cold that it hurt my skin. Ouchie! Get me inside!

So, to warm things up around here, I thought I'd share a few pictures from the cruise The Hubs and I took in late September for his 40th birthday. Can you taste the ocean air on your lips? Can you feel the soft, humid breeze on your skin?

I'll put some reggae music on to help us along, and let's crack the champagne...

Here's my partner in crime, and an original member of The Wolf Pack, Heather. She and her hubby came with us. This is sailing out of Jacksonville, Florida. Little did we know what was in store. See those clouds? Uh huh.
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Here's the ship's Grand Atrium. Very cool, and every deck was a different color. That's a bar at the bottom floor. And see the cheesy picture taker to the left? We did that a few times.



Here's our room -- we had the Penthouse Suite. The biggest room on the ship! Because I'm classy like that. SO glad I spent the extra money because it was totally worth it. The balcony was huge and I spent an entire afternoon out there reading. See the towel animal and the turn-down service? Awesome. I want that at my house!
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The pool, right before dinner (that's why it's empty). Yes, those are the real colors. Gorgeous.

Nassau, Bahamas with our ship in the background! There were four ships at port that afternoon. See those clouds? Yea, that's Tropical Storm, Nicole. We sailed through that. Twice. It was so bad, in fact, that our stop in Key West was completely cancelled. They just took us to the Bahamas, and once we got to shore it poured rain almost the entire time. Major disappointment. I was really upset we didn't get to see Key West! After our stop in Nassau, the captain decided just to take the long way home. So we were stuck on the boat for four days with no land in sight.

I hate to complain, because it was a cruise -- we relaxed, we ate, we drank...a lot. There wasn't much to take pictures of, except each other lol. But I tell ya, after four straight days of being on a rocking boat (and believe me, it rocked like crazy), going through pouring rain, lightning and thunder, The Hubs and I were ready to get the eff off the boat.

Who....me? Very proudly standing next to the Big Chichis sign at Senior Frogs. DH made a joke this week that my boobs look so good I should send my plastic surgeon a Christmas card every year. Ha! I'm sure I wouldn't be the first!

The weather finally cleared up on the second-to-last day. Here we are after an entire day at the pool. We were sunburned and happy after dealing with three days of rain and crazy weather. Isn't the sunset incredible?

And here's my most favorite picture from the trip -- happy in the sun with tropical drinks. And I actually look skinny here.

Ahhhhh!


Overall, we had a good time. I'm still mourning the fact that we didn't get to see Key West and that it stormed on us for half the trip. I'm not sold on cruises just yet, but I wont ever forget that trip! I'm just glad we made it out alive...and sober.

A special thanks to my big sister for watching my kiddos while The Hubs and I took off for grown-up time. I love you and I don't know what I'd do without you!

Suck It Monday! OK, I Take That Back....

I was saving this for a Suck It Sunday but, after this afternoon I decided to retract the Suck It. Here's what happened...

My home address is strange. I could use three different cities -- and any one of them might work. I could use two different zip codes. On top of that, my house doesn't have a mailbox -- we have a PO Box. Evidently our neighborhood doesn't like the look of mailboxes.

Seriously. (Can you hear my eyes rolling?)

Anyway, I've been doing a bunch of Christmas shopping online this year because there's no effin way I could hit the malls and get my shopping all done with everything I have on my plate this season. I'm certainly not complaining -- mostly I enjoy being busy. But when I think of the malls at Christmas time, with two kids in tow, who like to fight with each other at every opportunity...(shudder)...yea, not going there. I'd rather go get a root canal. That's more "me time" than the mall.

(BTW, I know someone who gets a pedicure WHILE she gets her teeth cleaned. How brilz is that? Hello dentists?! Want to draw more customers? Hire a nail tech. Just sayin.)

Amazon.com doesn't like two out of the three cities I use, and so I just click the one it recommends when ordering....which happens to be the incorrect city, according to the postal service. But hell, if Amazon wont accept the other two, then I'm going with what it says. I'm not proud to say that I trust Amazon more than I trust my local postal service but, sadly, it's true.

Since I'm using the incorrect address (although I couldn't get packages shipped any other way), the mailman came to my door this week to scold me and let me know how stupid I am for using the wrong city. This is kind of how it went...

Me: Oh hello! Thanks for delivering! (this is where he doesn't say hello back but just stands there glaring at me). Umm, yes? Do I need to sign something?

Postal Dude: You're using the wrong city. You're not ___, you're ____.

Me: But, but....I tried that city and the online shippers dont accept my address!

Postal Dude: I do not deliver to this___ city. I am doing this for free....I dont work by the hour! I work by box! I am not in your city!

This is where I start to put up my emotional wall. I'm frustrated, so I try to explain that I attempted to put the correct address, but it wouldn't accept it.

Postal Dude: You need to get a box!

Me: But the websites wont accept the address.

Postal Dude: I do this for free! I dont have to do this -- I should return this to sender.

Ok, let's stop here. I am frustrated. He is frustrated. Ava is there at the door with me, pulling at my shirt asking what's in the package we're arguing about. I change my strategy...

Me: I dont know what else to do....I will try to figure this out so you dont have to come here anymore. I will leave you a big Christmas tip next time you come. I will call the post office. I'm just ordering presents for....sniff...my children. My kids can't get presents without this!

Here I realize I'm being a bit dramatic but, daym, I'm feeling idiotic (are the neighbors watching this?) and dont know how to fix it. I'm kind of in shock that this mailman is still standing on my front porch, continuing to argue with me. It's been about 15 mintues since he arrived.

As soon as I mention my kids...the tears start to well up. Shit. I dont need any tears right now. But alas, they come anyway. I'm not sobbing, but it's obvious to him that my voice is starting to quiver. He continues to argue, but I step back and tell him that I really, really appreciate him delivering to my home when he isn't paid to (and I am) and slam the door in his face.

Thank you, I'm really grateful....thank you....SLAM! Heehee. I dont need to go balling to the mailman for Christ sake.

Then, I sob to myself a bit and then remember to breathe. It's just a fucking package, Tasha. Get over it. There are people all over who can't afford presents at all.

I suck it up, and decide to give him that big tip. Although he argued with me, he is delivering without the pay.

Yesterday, he rang the bell again and I didn't answer -- for fear that I would get another delivery, and another lecture.

Today he came by again, only this time he didn't ring the bell. He simply left my package, with the incorrect city on it again, with a card that said:

I apologize for the misunderstanding about the packages. I will continue to deliver your packages at the house. Happy holidays!

Then he signed his name -- his first AND last name.

*Sigh* It really warmed my heart. It reminded me that the holidays are not about packages, or correct city names, or presents that my kids may or may not get. It's about the spirit of the season, showing kindness to others, and appreciating what I already have.

And so, I don't want to tell my (not!) mailman to Suck It, I want to tell him THANK YOU for taking extra time to come to my house...and thank him for his patience and graciousness. It didn't go unnoticed.

Deep Thoughts - Because I'm an Idoit

It's been cold in Philly. Damn cold. I forgot how much I loathe freezing my ass off.

Have you ever used an ice scraper? Why is it that, when I'm standing outside freezing my ass off, the scraper only removes a sliver of ice with each stroke? I'm mean, come ON, the scraper has this long, wide edge but 75% of it doesn't actually scrape any ice off...so I have to scrape over the same spot ten times. Scrape! Nope. Scrape! Nope. Scrape scrape scrape! Damn! Nope. And then I'm left with a half-cleared windshield with stripes of ice going across it. After a few minutes if this, I get so cold I decide I've scraped enough, get in my car, and attempt to peek through the stripes hoping I can see the road.

Right.

So why didn't I think ahead and just start my car a few minutes early? Because I'm an idiot, that's why.

Why is it that manufactures fill juice boxes so full that when I go to put the straw into the foiled hole, juice immediately squirts all over my hands? In this day and age, can't they figure out a solution for that?

Or how about the Yoplait yogurts...those lids are on so tightly that, I have to sternly grip the container to get the lid off, which then makes the yogurt explode all over my hand, my shirt, and anything else that's within four feet of it. The thing is, I know the yogurt's going to spray, and yet I continue to open it the same way, swearing at it after it sprays me with yogurt. Why do I do this to myself? Because I'm an idiot, that's why.

Same goes for the Campbell's Chunky Soup lids. I have to peel the metal lid off, and usually it's when I attempt to go slowly and carefully that I and up spilling the soup, spraying the soup, getting the soup all over myself and the counter. And if I'm really lucky that day, I'll cut myself on the edge of the soup lid. Awesome.

This was just today, people.

So my hands have hypothermia from scraping the car off, I have yogurt on my sleeves and soup on my shirt, and my finger is bleeding because I cut it on the soup can lid and it's only 9am. I wonder what the rest of the day will have in store?

Busy Head Days

Do you ever have busy head days?

You know, one of those days where you're not necessarily running lots of errands or have a big to-do list but, more like you have a lot on your mind and your brain is whirring like crazy?

So your brain does a pretty good job at processing all those thoughts until around 4pm, when it decides it's had enough and just sort of shuts down on you?

Your husband could say this to you: Honey, I'm hungry...when's dinner?

But your brain translates it to: Beh boobe bobleh bitboo billbah?

I'm sorry...what? My husband might as well be speaking Japanese.

I had one of those yesterday. I love being a wife and a mom, but sometimes having the weight of taking care of the husband and kids, working a full-time job, trying to keep up with the family calendar, activities and laundry, doctor's appointments, dinners, sibling fights etc. can take a toll on my brain. I call those Busy Head Days.

I work really hard to stay in the moment, and stay alert to what I'm doing (driving? ok don't run over the curb...) and stay on top of what's going on around me. (Didn't I have something going on this week? Oh yea...I have guests coming for a visit. Crap!)

But it's nice, after the kids have gone to bed and the day's work is done, when I can put on my fuzzy PJs with stars (and a stain on the boob - sexy, I know), lay in bed....and just stare at the wall.

You ever have those "I just want to freakin lay down and stare at the wall" nights?

Feels good, doesn't it? I love it when I get to do that.

Sorry honey, I'm not going to stay up for dessert with you. I'm going to go stare at the wall....

I think every mom should be allowed at least one stare-at-the-wall nights a week, don't you? Maybe we could start a club. I'll bring the appetisers and wine, we can speak Japanese to each other for awhile and then stare at the wall together.

Sounds awesome, right? Who's in?!