9 and still going strong.....

We celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary May 27th. Wow. It seems like yesterday we were bed hopping "sneaking" around trying to keep our relationship a secret. Funny - I think we both were subconsciously aware of the age difference. AND, rightfully so. He was a mere 26 when we started dating - he seemed sooo young! He was young. He still IS young! Well, babe - I hope you know it is no longer a secret how crazy I am for you! You are all I need. You are all I want. You have made my life so much more than complete. Here's to many, many more baby! I love you.

YES, I made the cake!!!!

Where does the time go??

The girls will be turning 4 years old in just a matter of days and I honestly don't know where the time has gone. Part of me is really sad, but at the same time so happy for all they have accomplished in their short little lives. They are little girls now and with very big expressions and big vocabularies. They are so happy and such sweet little girls - most of the time. :)

They like structure and they like to "help" although, as we all know sometimes it would be easier to do ourselves. BUT, I let them help as it gives them a sense of accomplishment, and builds self esteem. Plus, we all have responsibilities and chores to do daily in our house!

I was hesitant to sign them up for the million activities that were available to them, however, I finally conceded. Instead of signing them up for one of those quasi gymnastics classes I signed them up for an Olympic training school for gymnasts! Might as well prepare them for their future. ha ha. Their coaches are past Russian Olympic Gold Medalists and are awesome. No more than six kids per class, luckily there have been no more than four in the girls class! The chicks are gaining so much confidence with each passing week. They can scale, straddle jump, pike somersault, lunge, and are working on somersaults on the beam. AND we will be starting pre-school in the fall. I can honestly say we're ready!

A typical day in our house:

• Chicks get up. 7:30-8:30am - they have always been great sleepers!
  
• Go to the potty AND wash the hands


• Come kiss mommy and daddy! Nothing sweeter than waking-up with those piercing black eyes starring at me!!!


• Make their bed - have been doing this since they moved into their twin beds at 3 years old!


• Get dressed - put jammies away
  
• Brush their teeth- as they chant "we don't want holes in our teeth"!


• Girls set and clear the table after dinner - daddy cleans up. :)
  
• We spend one day a week at Costco circling the food carts - we call it "lunch"!
• No week is complete w/out a trip to Target or Kohl's!
• Gymnastic class Tuesday
  
• Library - Thursday


• Mommy is walking 5 days a week minimum of 2 miles and so are the chicks
  
• Girls load and unload the dishwasher. Unfortunately, for them - they can only put away the silverware and Tupperware. Everything else to high. So they stack everything on the counter and we put away
  
• They LOVE to help with the wash. I do have to keep an eye that the "reds" aren't going in with the "whites"!
• They insist on helping fold clothes. If you see me and I'm a wrinkled mess, you know why!
  
• Washing the car is their favorite thing although, I have to keep an eye - they usually water the flowers to their death....:)


• They put ALL their toys away before bed. - They know if they don't MOMMY will handle the situation. No amnesty....
  
• Bedtime, dirty clothes in the hamper, teeth brushed, and jammies on
  
• Good behavior for the day calls for a reward of mommy reading a book before lights out and mega kisses from mommy and daddy!

Awesome little girls! Lucky me. Lucky us!!

For those inquiring about Mr. Man - still no news, he's headed BACK to NYC this weekend...going to swallow a camera so they can take pictures of his insides.....should be interesting. I'll keep you posted. Thank you for your concern. :)

45 lessons life taught me..

I had a really great therapy session this morning. Yes, I have a therapist now and love it!!! They listen to you when no one else will. I'm learning not only how to process some of my "issues", but also how to take time to enjoy life. Smell the roses if you will. Anyway, I came across something a very, very, dear friend of mine sent me not to long ago. For whatever reason the words came to life today. Please enjoy the message. I know I did. Thank you, love. 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. - No complaints here... 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. You may still fall - but that's ok 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. I don't hate - I may dislike though... 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch. I feel more than blessed to have such great friends who I can count on! 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. Always.... 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. How dull a world if we were all alike!!! 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. Therapist is paid to cry with me..... 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. I do too! 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. Agree! 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. I request it not be brought in the house....I love chocolate and so do my thighs! 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. I did that a long time ago....the past IS the past - I'm not ashamed!! 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. :) 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. The window dressing may not be what it's cracked up to be. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. Relationships are a two way street. IF you want it meet me half way great. IF not - I get it.... 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. I wish he would - I would love a little insight on the housing market! 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. I'm learning this daily...... 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. Done.... 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. Abbey is working this one! 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. My life is complete. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. I'm finding that out.... 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. EVERYDAY is special! 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. I'm a planner.... 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. Well, I probably WON'T ever be wearing purple (ick!) but.....I fly my freak flag. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. Ummm, I'm still questioning this one.....ha ha. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. YES, YES, YES! 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' I like it! 27. Always choose life. Life is good. 28. Forgive everyone everything. Working on this one..... 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. Note: I could care less what anyone thinks of me. Get a life! 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. Still waiting.... 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. See 30.. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. I don't.. 33. Believe in miracles. I have three.... 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. I don't feel the need to "buy" myself into heaven, although, I don't really believe in heaven. I do, however, like who I am. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. I'm an active participant daily. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. Soo true. 37. Your children get only one childhood. I hope it is the happiest ever - not one filled with material possessions, but, a love like no other. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. With.Every.Breath.I.Take. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. Life is a journey to be enjoyed. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back. I have no complainst. My life is charmed! 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. I.DO and so much more!!! 42. The best is yet to come. I can't wait. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. Agree! 44. Yield. Pay it forward. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." Life is a treasure.

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you!

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

Yes I can!

That's right - finished my final and I got an "A". Oh, but it felt good. I worried and fretted the entire semester about my grade, but boy did it pay off. I'm taking two classes this summer, photography because I take crap pictures, and a wellness class...well...it's obvious, my arse has morphed into something I know longer know. AND, worse it keeps following me around like a stalker! Stay tuned for the transformation......

Let them eat cake!

My first fondant cake!

I surprised my neighbor and gave her the cake! G-d knows, we don't need the temptation.

The Who, why, what's...

It is so hard for me to believe we have been a family for three years. I don't know where the time has gone. I just want to freeze it for a moment so that I can savor every moment. The chicks are growing in leaps and bounds. I am constantly amazed with the things they say. They make me so laugh, but they make me so proud to be their mommy. They are going through the "who" stage now and as you can imagine, it's a riot! This is our conversation the other day in the car...

Abbey: "Mommy, who made the dishwasher"?

Me: "The dishwasher maker".

Abbey: Giggling.... "Mommy, did you make our house"?

Me: "Yes, your daddy and I helped design our home".

Abbey: "Mommy, who made the car"?!

Me: "The auto makers".

Abbey: "Mommy, who made the clouds"?

Me: "What"? I've known this one was eventually going to come up....

Abbey: "I said (pushing little thing...) who made the clouds"?

Me: "Um, well, G-d made the clouds - even though you can't see him"......oh dear this is tough.

Abbey: "What you saying mommy"?!?!

Me: Laughing! "Yeah, I know Abbey - it's a BIG story"! Thinking to myself...I think it's time to put the girls in synagouge. It's.Time!

We met with Rabbi Michael on Friday to discuss pre-school in the fall. It's a start......

Doctor, Doctor

I'm overwhelmed by the kind emails and phone calls regarding my "Mr. Man". We received word from the specialist today that he will be going back to NYC for yet MORE test! They found some "abnormalities" and will be doing more invasive testing. Looks like he has a "date" with the specialist Memorial Day weekend - our 9th wedding anniversary. I've got to figure a way so that I can be there with him. I hate that he will be 5 hours from home with no family by his side.

BTW - We know that Mr. Man does NOT have the following illness':

Chrones disease

Cholitis

Pancreatic cancer

Kidney stones

Gal stones

Ulcer

Colin cancer

Celaic disease

Nana flew in yesterday to help out and to give me a much needed break! She has been a blessing. A.Blessing. She volunteered to watch the chickies today so that I could get outta the house for a while. Not only did the girls love playing with Nana, but she showered them with gifts and fun! They spent part of the morning putting puzzles together and coloring. If that wasn't enough Nana cooked a delicious dinner (yum-mee) AND then watched the little people so that I could go to my cake class. Mr. Man had an appointment with his stylist.... I hope she knows how much we appreciate her help! Tomorrws agenda - much needed make-over for Insane Mommy... stay tuned...

A little German flavor

Some women spend their days at the spa or shopping, but me - I spend mine in the kitchen. I am a mans dream and I'm not talking "wet-dream"! I promise you Mr. Man is going no where anytime soon -- why would he - he's fed better than what you get in most restaurants!

Since getting laid-off in February I have re-discovered my first love - THE KITCHEN!! I've been busy trying out new recipes. Now if I could only put my "apron" idea together I'd have myself a great little niche business.

I discovered this recipe at the would be chef while searching for some "comfort" food and had to share. It was a hit with my family, but then, most is.....

If you've never made home-made egg noodles this is fool proof! EASY. Try it.

Recipe - Spätzle with Parmesan and Parsley

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 3/4 cups flour, plus extra for kneading
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 quarts low sodium chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan, plus extra for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
1. In a medium bowl, combine water, flour, eggs and salt with a wooden spoon. Place dough mixture on a clean cutting board. Flour both sides of the dough and roll into a long rectangle, approximately 12 by 2-inches and 1/8-inch thick. With pizza cutter, cut into strips, 2-inches in length and 1/4-inch

wide.

2. Bring chicken stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop spätzle in batches into boiling stock and cook until pasta floats to the surface. Remove and immediately transfer to the ice bath. Drain spätzle and hold on sheet pan. Continue with the other batches.

3. Once you’ve completed the cooking, in a medium saute pan, add butter, and melt over medium heat until butter turns a light brown. Add garlic and cook until it becomes lightly colored. Add spätzle to the pan to heat through. Add parsley, cheese, salt and pepper, to taste.

This is not only excellent; very it’s really wonderful, very filling and is pretty simple. If y

ou’ve never made your own noodles, this is a great dish to give it a go.

Servings: 4. Double for bigger eaters....

We love you daddy!

Mr. Man left today for NYC. He's had some health issues since last summer. The specialists in DC have run one test after another and still have not uncovered the problem. There solution - yank his gal bladder, although there is nothing wrong with it. Thank G-d Mr. Man has some connections in the medical field. He called one of his buddies he grew up with, who just happens to be a surgeon in NYC. Long story short, Dr. Mike hooked Mr. Man up with the top Gastronologist in the city - tomorrow! I'm glad he is being well cared for, but I'm a little worried. There was the mention of the "C" word.

We're gonna miss you daddy, but we're hopeful that they're gonna find out what's making your belly hurt. We love you daddy.

Update: Good news! Although we still do not know what the cause of Mr. Man's illness is, we do, however, know that it is NOT Cancer! That was the best news. He leaves on Sunday for additional tests in NYC.....we're confidant that they will find out what's causing him so much pain. We also are lucky that he has such a great friend who took an interest in his well-being - thank you Dr. Mike for not only taking care of him, but opening up your gorgeous home and making him feel right at home. Just like old times....

What's for dinner?

A little Asian Princess too cute for words......I promise you - the strainer was washed before she put it on her head! G-d.Do.I.Love.Her!!

The easter bunny comes to town!

You can't fool my little chickies. This was their first time meeting the Easter bunny and boy were they excited, but I didn't expect to hear the following. Too damn funny.

Katie: "Mommy, that is NOT the Easter bunny".

Me: "Ummm, sure it is baby".

Katie: "No, no mommy, bunnies don't have hands"!

Me: stifling a giggle "What"?

Katie: Bunnies don't have hands, and mommy, they don't talk! There's a man in there"!!

Me: "Ha ha ha - oh Katie, you're too smart for your own good"!

Bunny: Running off all scared.......

Needless to say the other children who were listening looked at her like she were the crazy one. She ain't crazy! She's my girl!!!

What's cooking?

Dinner at our house these days are anything but bland. See below for one of "Insane Mommy's" many creations..... for a price I'll cook for you too and toss in a bennie or two! :)

Sunday's Menu:

Beef Wellington, buttered corn, fresh spring mix with home made sour cream and honey dressing.

Dessert: YES dessert shortbread cake with fresh strawberries AND whipped cream!

This meal is sure to impress your husband's boss - or your best friend! Total ecstasy! Serve with a gorgeous Cab and he'll buy you whatever you want!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 filets mignon, 1-inch thick

2 sheets puff pastry - Peppridge Farm Puff Pastry

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

4 Tbsp. Mushroom Duxelles (recipe below)

1 egg +one table spoon water for egg wash

Preparation Beef Wellington:

This is so easy and does not require any real skill other than following directions. It does, however, involve some steps - which I've included a photo tutorial showing how to assemble. What could be easier?!

1. Thaw puff pastry according to package directions. - takes about 40 minutes.

2. Filets are often irregular in shape, if yours are use a piece of kitchen twine to tie them into a round. - I did not have kitchen twine...should have checked my bedside table!

3. Season filets generously with salt and pepper. - I use kosher or sea salt and salt moderately - flavor is so much better than iodized salt.

4. Pre-heat a medium (10-inch) non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add butter and swirl in pan to melt.

5. Cook filets on both sides for about 3 minutes until well-browned, then brown the edges. Note: Regularly check the internal temperature of the filets, they should not be cooked past 120F at the center.*** Allow filets to cool, then wrap in plastic and chill for at least a couple of hours. In the meantime make the duxelles*. (pronounced dook-SEHL, is a finely chopped (minced) mixture of mushrooms, or mushroom stems, onions, shallots and herbs sauteed in butter and reduced to a paste).

6. Heat oven to 400F. Whisk together egg and 1 tablespoon water (egg wash).

7. Wrap the filets in puff pastry according to the steps below for Individual Beef Wellingtons. Brush with egg wash, and bake in center of oven until golden brown; about 30 minutes. ***Note: The filets are deliberately undercooked and then chilled to prevent them from overcooking in the final step. They should come out of the oven medium rare after the final baking.

Ingredients for Mushroom Duxelles:

1/2 lb.mushrooms (morels are great, but button mushrooms work)

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter; divided

3 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot. Salt and pepper to taste1/2 tsp. dried thyme or 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves1/4 cup dry vermouth, sherry, or white wine - I used vermouth as I drank the white wine while prepping!

Preparation for mushroom duxelle:

1. Finely chop mushrooms in a food processor.

2. Scrape mushrooms out into a clean, cotton towel and wring out as much liquid as you can over the sink. I DID NOT DO THIS - and it turned out fine!

3. Heat a large (10-inch) non-stick skillet over a burner set between medium and medium-high.

4. Add 1 tablespoon butter and swirl to melt and avoid burning.

5. Add mushrooms, shallots, a pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and thyme.

6. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms appear dry and are beginning to brown; about 5 minutes.

7. Stir in remaining tablespoon of butter, and, when melted, the vermouth.

8. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vermouth has evaporated.

9. Remove from heat and cool.Note: Duxelles freeze well, so although this recipe produces more than you need for two wellingtons, you can save the remainder for future use.

Life if good

Hard to believe getting laid off has been such a positive experience. Wondering how I ever managed a career and taking care of my family?!?! I've been busy working on my research project for school - forensic psychology - which I've found to be facinating! AND, I've managed to maintain an "A" in the class without sleeping with anyone! Not that I would of course....but I am highly competitive when it comes to my grades.

My therapist - yes, I have a therapist now too - has encouraged me to make time for me and I'm doing just that. I just completed my first course in cake decorating and I loved it! I think I was the favorite in the class, or at least in my mind I was the favorite. The ladies in the class were quite surprised to learn I'd never made a cake before. I've enrolled for course two which starts in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping to master the art of fondant before the girls birthday in June! Yes.I'm.Going.To.Make.Their.Cake! The big question is WHAT I'll be making.....

"The grand finale"! Final decorated cake for course one! Not purr-fect, but much improved!

"My second decorated cake". Improvement....

"My first iced cake"! More crumb than icing.... we all gotta start somewhere.

The chicks started their first swim class on Tuesday and although little Miss Katie was a little nervous, she did finally stop crying. Thank G-d! I did NOT want to have to scare anyone with my out of shape bod! Oy. They were so cute in the big pool though. I had my concerns regardin the insturctor. I understand about not discriminating, but she's 100! It took her about 10 minutes to get in the water (the class is 30 minutes!) and get positioned to demonstrate laying on the belly when she fianlly got up class was over! I thought we were going to have to give her oxygen. I mentioned to Mr. Man that I believe she may be recovering from a stroke. Maybe the kids are rehabilitating her! I'll keep you posted. Chicks have class on Tuesday and Thursday. Abbey and Katie thought if was so funny that Miss Jane wore her clothes and shoes into the water. I explained that she was wearing a "wet-suit" and "water-shoes".....probably a good thing. :)

Abbey kept getting in trouble for floating off and doing her own thing... No surprise there!
One of the other mom's had to tell me to take the "sticky" covers off the lenses! Abbey kept complaining of not being able to see.....I thought it was because her eyes were closed. ha ha.

I'm actively still pursuing career opportunities. Although there is nothing out there -(trust me - there isn't!) I'm kicking around the idea of professionally cooking for families. I've discovered there's quite a market here in DC for such a service and there is a real need. Besides, I'm good! Tell me what's your pleasure. Beef Wellington? Salmon Cakes? Orange Chicken? Salmon Wellington with spinach?? Cesar Salad? I can do it all.... I'm thinking the food network!
We've booked our trip to Florida and are counting down the days. We're staing at the Contemporary two nights and are taking the chicks to the Magic Kingdom while there. We've got a whirlwind trip planned starting in north east Florida and working our way down the coast ending up in south Florida for a splashy wedding. I know I will be leaving Florida with a heavy heart after seeing my sisters.....boy do I miss them.

My 30th class reunion is coming up this summer - and this fall. I went to two high schools and am going to both. I don't know where the years went! Anyway, planning a couple trips for that. Might want to get my butt back in the gym. I do have a reputation to uphold. I'm working on legs as skinny as the ones below....oh g-d do I have my work cut-out for me!