http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php en Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:57:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=35 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:51:48 GMT ... you will love this story. I just had to pass it along... Cat in hot water after fishing for scraps... ... you will love this story. I just had to pass it along...

Cat in hot water after fishing for scraps ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=35 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=34 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:01:23 GMT How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage? ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=34 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=33 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:43:34 GMT Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet? Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet? ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=33 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=32 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:54:16 GMT Who was the first person to say, 'See that chicken there... I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta it's bum.' ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=32 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=31 Fri, 23 May 2008 01:56:42 GMT I think I am becoming a spa junkie... There is a new spa beside/behind my store. The lady who owns it and her staff are great - very nice and... I think I am becoming a spa junkie...

There is a new spa beside/behind my store. The lady who owns it and her staff are great - very nice and extremely good at what they do.
Have you ever had a hot stone massage?

Ahhhh... wonderful.

As for facials -- I had one several years ago and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. Well, I volunteered to be a test body for them (more like begged) -- they needed someone to come in for a facial to train one of the lady's in the hot stone component. Let me tell you, it was amazing. I had no idea a facial could come with a shoulder, arm, and foot massage.

So, I can not wait for my next appointment... will it be a pedicure, massage, or facial... hmmm...

Not sure how I can justify taking the time and money -- That is justifying it to myself! No one else is questioning it at all. After all, don't we all deserve a little pampering?? That's what I keep telling myself.

Do you enjoy time at a day spa? How often do you go? ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=31 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=30 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:19:18 GMT I'm not talking about the musical group... or were they Men Without Hats...? hmmm... Anyhooo... One of my big pet peeves is guys who wear their hats indoors -- and worst of all, to the dinner table or a table in a restaurant :rant:

Am I old fashioned? Is this an outdated courtesy / manner that doesn't apply anymore?

I removed the hat of a dinner guest at our home for Easter Dinner -- I just had to or I would have gone stark raving crazy sitting there (crazier than I already am). This fella is well into his twenties and as far as I'm concerned should know better.

What do you think? :huh: Are you teaching your boys to take off their hats indoors? ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=30 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=29 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:32:17 GMT On of the local pubs here has "name that tune" every Friday night. My sister, her hubby and friends go often and we've heard how much fun it is. Last night, we decided we'd give it a try.
It is hilarious!

I was the one that our team counted on for the 80's songs :lol: I did fairly well too. There's a lot of dancing, cheering, singing and fun. Each team gets points for the correct answers and bonus points for enthusiasm. Dancing on your chair is encouraged, as is all types of silly behavior! Just my kind of party -- you are encouraged to be a nut and get points for it! :neenerneener:

We came in second place. :applause: Won 30 bar dollars for our team, so that knocked $10 of the bill for each couple.

If you're ever in Nelson, I highly recommend a Friday evening at Findlay's bar and grill playing Name that Tune! :lol: ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=29 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=28 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:06:20 GMT Bullying is a major problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and over the Internet. On February 27th I encourage all of you to wear something... Bullying is a major problem in our schools, workplaces, homes, and over the Internet.

On February 27th I encourage all of you to wear something pink to symbolize that we as a society will not tolerate bullying anywhere. I wish I could take credit for this idea but it comes from two incredible Nova Scotia high school students. Here is a snippet of the Globe & Mail article that talks about it:

“David Shepherd, Travis Price and their teenage friends organized a high-school protest to wear pink in sympathy with a Grade 9 boy who was being bullied…[They] took a stand against bullying when they protested against the harassment of a new Grade 9 student by distributing pink T-shirts to all the boys in their school.

‘I learned that two people can come up with an idea, run with it, and it can do wonders,’ says Mr. Price, 17, who organized the pink protest. ‘Finally, someone stood up for a weaker kid.’

So Mr. Shepherd and some other headed off to a discount store and bought 50 pink tank tops. They sent out message to schoolmates that night, and the next morning they hauled the shirts to school in a plastic bag.

As they stood in the foyer handing out the shirts, the bullied boy walked in. His face spoke volumes. ‘It looked like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders,’ Mr. Price recalled.

The bullies were never heard from again.”

Check out the video too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDnS8SLCJHc

Spread the word... ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=28 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=27 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:51:47 GMT Crock Pot Chicken with wine & mushrooms INGREDIENTS
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (4 ounce) can mushroom pieces, drained
salt and pepper to taste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
In a slow cooker, mix together the soup, onion, parsley, wine, garlic powder, milk, and mushroom pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place chicken in the slow cooker, covering with the soup mixture.
Cook on Low setting for 5 to 6 hours, or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours.

Posted by Annie ]]> Recipe http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=27 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=26 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:49:09 GMT Bottom layer: 2 sticks butter 3 cups flour 1 cup chopped walnuts Mix the butter, flour and walnuts as you would for pie crust, pat into a 9x13 pan... Bottom layer:
2 sticks butter
3 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix the butter, flour and walnuts as you would for pie crust, pat into
a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes.
Allow to cool.

Second layer:
2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese (softened)
2 cups of powdered sugar
2 cups of Cool Whip (or another similar topping)

Measure into a mixing bowl and whip at high speed until smooth. Spread
over the first layer.

Third layer:
2 3-ounce packages of instant pudding (any flavor -- chocolate, lemon,
butterscotch, vanilla, pistachio -- whatever you like)
3 cups of milk

Pour instant pudding into a mixing bowl, add the milk, and whip at
high speed for several minutes until thick. Spread over the cream
cheese layer.

Fourth layer:
Spread on enough Cool Whip (or another topping) to cover the pudding.
Sprinkle with chopped nuts and coconut.

Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least an hour before
serving.

Posted by Annie ]]> Recipe http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=26 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=25 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:46:39 GMT Frozen Strawberry Pie This recipe makes two attractive pies using store-bought chocolate crumb crust. This yummy pie can be made ahead. ... Frozen Strawberry Pie

This recipe makes two attractive pies using store-bought chocolate crumb crust. This yummy pie can be
made ahead.

INGREDIENTS


1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups chopped fresh strawberries

1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

2 chocolate crumb crusts (9 inches) Would be good with plain graham crusts too!


DIRECTIONS


In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until
smooth. Beat in the strawberries. Fold in the whipped topping and pecans. Pour
into crusts. Cover and freeze for 3-4 hours or until firm. Remove from the
freezer 15-20 minutes before serving. Yield: 2 pies (6 servings each).

Posted by Annie ]]> Recipe http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=25 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=24 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:29:02 GMT Beer Cheese Soup 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup chopped onion 3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 8 ounces... Beer Cheese Soup


2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
3 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 (12 ounce) can or bottled beer


Directions
1. In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter. Cook celery, carrots and
onion in butter 5 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil; reduce
heat and simmer 20 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor
or using an immersion blender. Return to pot over medium heat.
2. Toss Cheddar with flour and stir, a little at a time, into the pot, until
fully incorporated and melted. Season with mustard. Stir in beer to achieve
desired thickness just before serving.

Posted by Annie ]]> Recipe http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=24 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=23 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:51:45 GMT Death isn't typically something humans like to think about. They say we are unique in the animal kingdom in that we are the only animal who lives knowing that we will die! It's also a hard thing to talk about sometimes. It can also be hard to let other's know our feelings on death or on what our wishes would be if we were unable to speak for ourselves.

This brings up the whole thing of a living will.

Last night my sister and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'

So she got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my wine.

She's such a bitch.



Ok, so this really didn't happen (or did it?)... ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=23 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=22 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:18:18 GMT Now, I didn't write this -- but I wished I had! I can identify with a lot of it so I wanted to share. :)

Old Age, I decided, is gift.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it) ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=22 http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=21 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 04:51:42 GMT A notice came home from Ryan's school last Monday -- essentially, it said "before Christmas we said we were not having a ski program, but now we are. Downhill skiing or snowboarding for 4 weeks at our local hill -- parents must accompany their child -- you can go up on your own or take the bus for $5 each".

Well, this is one time when I swear they gave me the wrong kid at the hospital -- I LOVED downhill skiing -- Ryan has no desire to try it. (Ok, before anyone gets upset with me, I do know he is my kid, and would not trade him for the world).

Being the concerned (and neurotic?) parent that I am, I worry that he will be the only kid left sitting at the school while all the other kids are skiing -- so I ask the principal if it is ok if we go cross-country skiing since there are also cross country trails at the hill -- she says that's a great idea. PHEW. I offer to take other kids with us if needed.

Forget the fact that I wrote the dates wrong on my calendar and dropped Ryan off for school on the first ski day -- only to get home to find Doug on the phone with Ryan who is calling to ask why we're not going skiing. So, I race back to the school, pick him up, go home, jump through the shower, get dressed and we're off to the hill. :nod:

After a hectic start, and despite the fact that I don't have any ski pants and wore a pair of Doug's that kept sliding down, dropped my hat in the toilet, and had to raid Doug's wallet for the money to pay for the tickets and lunch, we had a wonderful day. Ryan's friend Justin and his mom (who I have known for years) were there so we had a nice lunch together in the lodge.

Ironically, Ryan was the only kid in his class to go! :wow:

I guess the fact that they only gave 3 days notice didn't help -- how many people can take off from work with that little lead time?! Not very many for sure.

I remember ski days when I was in school -- we'd have a few parents and teachers there, but essentially were on our own :huh: I guess things change...

So, for the next 3 weeks, we get to feel like we are playing hooky from school! :neenerneener: ]]> Annie http://www.maternitycorner.com/community/blog.php?b=21