Why My

Mother -in-Law

Loves to Visit With Me!

During my shoulder surgery rehab I was told by family and friends that I needed to tell this story. I wrote it a couple times but it got to be such a long story that I thought it might be too long. So I have edited, edited, added, edited and then decided.............Aahhhhhh hell with it!

So this would be a good place to stop for a minute, get up, get yourself a nice cup or glass of goodness, and get comfortable.

*******************

As you know The Hubs and I have only been married 3 years. In that 3 years I have only seen or interacted with my Mother-in-Law maybe 6 times. She and her husband live in Florida.

This long distance makes it kind of hard to establish a relationship when you don't see each other very often.

I think, she thinks I'm high strung, high maintenance, uptight, and my diet is horrible. I think she's annoyed I have rubbed all these terrific traits off on her beloved son.

Don't get me wrong I do get along with my Mother-in-Law we just don't know each other that well.

If she did know me, she would know that I'm lazy, unorganized, Queen of fakebusy; and, all I need is a nice cup of tea (or Diet Coke) and a sweet treat...and I'm good to go!

About 2 years ago when The Hubs and I were first married The Hubs had to go to Orlando for work.

Now me, Princess Lazy Ass, is always up for a trip with The Hubs if work is sending him. I don't care where he's going.

So I invited myself.............

The Hubs was there for almost a week so I flew out later in the week to meet him. That way we would have a long weekend and we were going to squeeze in a little sightseeing, Disney World, and some visiting with The In-Laws.

On Friday I would have most of the day to myself to go shopping and farting around while The Hubs was working. On Saturday morning we would meet his Mom and Step Dad at Disney World. I had never been to Disney World so I was excited beyond belief.

Thursday afternoon I arrive in Orlando. It's warm, humid and I'm lovin it.

I get to the hotel

HOT DAMN!

We are staying at the Peabody Hotel.

OH MY GOD!!!

I'm so excited. This is a lovely hotel and famous for the ducks parading from the elevators to the atrium fountain on a red carpet where they hang out in the fountain all day. They are also famous for a lovely afternoon tea in that atrium.

About an hour after arriving at the hotel and taking in all it's loveliness, my allergies kicked in full throttle like they always do when I get to Florida, Georgia or anywhere on that lower Atlantic Coast.

It's all the air conditioning. It makes my sinuses crazy.
So I take my prescription allergy pill.

Let's get the mini vacation started.............

Friday morning I get up with The Hubs, pop an allergy pill, and we head down to the cafe for breakfast together.

It was wonderful!

The best hash browns I have ever had in my life. I got the recipe from the cook and now it's how I make mine all the time and claim them as my own recipe.

Oh don't judge!

We go up to the room after breakfast. I bust out the maps, get my rental car squared away and lay out my list of places I wanted to go.

I'm feeling kind of fuzzy headed from my allergies but I don't care.........I'm going!

The Hubs kisses me good bye and says "I'll see you this afternoon." "When I get back we'll go out to Cocoa Beach and see if we can see the Space Shuttle launch.

GREAT!

After that.........I don't know what happened.

The Hubs came back to the hotel room about 11 am and I was in the exact same place I was when he left. Asleep in the middle of the bed with maps every where and rental car keys in hand.

I woke up and told The Hubs that something was seriously wrong with me. That I just didn't feel like myself.

I felt all weird and maybe he should check me in to the local mental hospital.

He told me to get up, get movin, get some air and I would feel better. Still having problems with my allergies I took another pill.

The Hubs goes back to work and I take off in the rental car for a while to do a little shopping.

I drove all over Orlando but ended up coming back to the hotel because I just couldn't get in the mood for shopping. I was feeling kind of disconnected. That's the only word I can think of to describe it.

It was so weird!

I come back to the hotel, had afternoon tea in the atrium and totally enjoyed myself while watching the ducks.

The Hubs comes back from work and says............let's drive over to Cocoa Beach and see if we can see the space shuttle launch tonight.

I start telling him that I'm feeling really weird and not myself. When we get home I'll need to be checked into the hospital.

He rolls his eyes and says "it's jet lag"

So we are off to Cocoa Beach

I say "How about I drive. Maybe that will help me stay focused and awake."

I start driving out to Cocoa Beach.

Well part way.

I was just too sleepy so before I dozed off The Hubs took over. I went to sleep in the car before we could even get to Cocoa Beach. The Shuttle got scrubbed so The Hubs turned around and drove us back.

I woke up in the hotel parking lot. Guess I didn't miss much.

Saturday morning we get up bright and early. We were being picked up by The In-Laws. Then we would go stay at Disney World.

Side note****We stayed at the Shades of Green Disney world Resort for military families.

I highly recommend it for military families reading.

It's clean, close to Disney World, and reasonably priced.

So while getting ready to meet the In-Laws, I take another allergy pill. I'm still feeling all weird and disconnected. I have zero energy to do anything. I keep telling The Hubs that there is something SERIOUSLY wrong with me and when we get home (if I live that long) I need to be checked into a hospital!

He laughs!

Long story short...............I never got to see Disney World, I never saw the Space Shuttle launch that could be seen from our hotel balcony window, I sat and visited with my In-Laws for about 1 hour in the 48 hours we stayed with them at Disney World.

I felt horrible! I couldn't stay awake, I was all sneeze, nose running, sinus headache and worst of all...........I felt like I wasn't really there, I couldn't hardly carry on a conversation, I felt so disconnected. Like I was losing my mind!

The morning came to go home. I took another allergy pill and I noticed that the prescription was almost gone. I said to The Hubs "Didn't I just get this filled before I left?"

The Hubs shrugs his shoulders "I don't know?"

That's odd

Oh well...................

Threw the prescription bottle in the bag and off we went to the airport.

I slept the whole flight home

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh home sweet home

Business as usual

The next morning after arriving home I get up, open up the cabinet (not thinking I haven't unpacked yet) to take an allergy pill.

HOLY SHIT!

The prescription bottle is in the cabinet and it's full!

What in the hell was I taking while we were in Florida????

I run upstairs, tear through the suitcase looking for the prescription bottle that I had taken to Florida...............

OH NO!

Valium from the dentist!

Yes, folks it's true!

I had gotten the only two prescription bottles in the house mixed up. The pills looked almost exactly the same which wouldn't raise a red flag when taking them.

I had been taking Valium the entire time we were in Florida!

When The Hubs spoke with his mother and explained why I was so weird when we were there she said "Oooooooooh really?" " It was one of the nicest visits we have ever had."

Now every time we are going to visit with them she asks "Is Timi on allergy medication? We really had a nice visit last time."

I'm thinkin she loves me and looks forward to our visits.

Totally a true story!

I can't make this crap up!

A Recipe

&

A Love Affair

Being laid up for the last 6 weeks has kind of put a halt on my cooking, baking, and kitchen mess making. I'm sorry I haven't posted any recipes lately.

I have came up with a great new recipe to share with you all!

At the same time I have to admit a love affair that I have been having for years and years.

I LOVE CHEERIOS!

I love them right out of the box

I love them with sliced bananas

I have been known to steal them right off the high chair tray from babies.

Yes! It's true!

I love them just about any way you can serve them up!

I

This is me and a box of Cheerios.

When Cheerios and I had just started dating.

This is me waiting for a date with Cheerios

I have always loved plain Cheerios. Then I fell in love with Team Cheerios. They were a mix of regular, honey nut, multi grain and frosted. They were soon discontinued and I was so sad by this event. I bought all the boxes of Team Cheerios I could find and ate them until they were gone.

I know!!!!!

Your saying to yourself "I don't know why she was single for so long?"

They really were my new favorite.

When Team Cheerios was all gone I had to go crawling back to my old flame..............Plain Cheerios with sliced bananas.

So when the new banana flavored Cheerios variety came out I was excited to try it.

It was a good, but a little too banana-ie for me. I don't think this flavor of Cheerios and I will be dating long term. We will just have to be friends.

Then I had an idea.................

An arrangement that use to work out for me years ago after Team Cheerios got discontinued.

Buying multiple boxes and mixing them!

Not a new concept I know.

Seinfeld made it popular in the 90's

I have always been a fan of mixing Cheerios but with just one person eating them 3 or 4 boxes mixed together.............IS A LOT OF CHEERIOS!

But my new banana flavored Cheerios needed friends.

I bought 2 more boxes

Mixed them all together in a large tub.

Then enjoyed one of the best bowls of Cheerios I have had in a long time.

Of course The Hubs came in to the kitchen in the middle of my mixing. He wanted to know what crazy ass thing I was doing now with all those boxes of Cheerios.

Yeah that's right!

Who's crazy now?

I do believe he had 2 bowls this morning!

So this is my one armed recipe for you this week......................

1 Large box of Plain Cheerios

1 Small box of Honey Nut Cheerios

1 small box of Banana Nut flavored Cheerios

Mix

Love in a bowl!

I Was Shaken In My Cute White Shoes

3 years ago today The Hubs and I were Las Vegas with family and friends.

WSU Laura and I started out the day with a spa day. She was trying to calm my nerves.

It was some shitty spa that the website was much more glamorous than the actual spa. Not worth mentioning.
But we had fun!

Then my Mom came to join the fun.




THEN.........................

I was shaken in my cute white shoes!

I was off in a limo with The Hubs (actually he wasn't The Hubs yet) to the Special Memory Chapel to be married.

I know! It sounds like some sort of Alzheimers Center

The whole day I just kept saying to myself "is this really happening?"

Trying to remember everything, enjoy everything and still keep it together.

I was getting married to the nicest guy in the world and best of all...........he loves me!

We were surrounded by family and friends.

It was so much fun to see who showed up. We didn't know who all would be coming to Vegas with us. Family, friends and friends of friends.

They came from all over the USA to help us celebrate this day.

Did I look like a nervous wreck? I was!

Me, The Hubs, and my new niece Katie.

My dear friend Michele signing our marriage certificate.

All the paperwork and payments need to be done before entering the chapel.

It cracked me up that we were herded through the wedding process like cattle. There were 2 weddings in front of us.

The funniest part about being herded like cattle...........we were happy to do it!

Me and my Dad getting ready to walk down the isle.

Then..............................

We were Mr & Mrs Nuckinfuts!

THEN...........................

We changed clothes and began to celebrate

First stop..........The roller coaster.

We thought this was the perfect way to celebrate just being married.

Welcome to the ups and downs of marriage!

Not to mention that crappy picture they sell you at the end of the roller coaster ride made a great Thank You card to send after receiving gifts.

Then...........................

It was time to start celebrating The Hubs 4oth Birthday

Yep that's right! The Hubs turned 40 at midnight, right after we were married.

The Nuckinfuts, The Flustercucks and my brother in Old Town Vegas

We had a great time

Then it was home to start our life together.

What a fun time we have had together over the last 3 years.


These are some of the reasons why I married The Hubs..................

He didn't mind when I brought our furry kids home.

Their cute but worthless!

My family loves him! Him cookin burgers at my family reunion.

This was the first time Princess Spoiled Brat met The Hubs (before he was The Hubs) and she took a likin to him right away.

How could you not? He sat and blew bubbles with her.

He got her a new bike for her birthday, sat on the floor and did puzzles.

I know!

It's a lot of pictures of my niece Princess Spoiled Brat but ...........Damn their cute pictures!

She was only 4 when The Hubs and his brother took her in this plane. She still talks about it.


I love you Mr. Nuckinfuts.........aka..........The Hubs!

You are the best thing that ever happen to me. I love you more today then I did on our wedding days.

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Breaking News!

I had a couple blog posts that I was working on to share with you. The Subjects were: why my mother -in- law loves me and a camping trip to Ocean Shores we took recently.

They will have to wait!

Over the last couple days I have gotten out and about a little and learned of some fabulous events that are taking place. I had to share with all of you.

Event #1

This is team Walkers For Knockers

2009 will mark these ladies 3rd year of walking in the

Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk.

This month will be the kick off for their fund raising events. The first event is a HUGE Garage Sale. It will be held in Bothell at WSU Laura's house on April 24th and 25th.

Address: 29 197th Pl. SW

Bothell WA 98012

Hours: 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Consider attending if you are in the area. They have had lots and lots of donation for this sale. No garbage! Laura has been working really hard for weeks getting things organized and priced to sell.

This sale will impress you!

If you can't attend the sale please consider donating to my good friends Laura and Michelle.

Seriously.......Think about it................

We have all been effected in some way by some sort of cancer. Directly or indirectly you know someone that has been through it. Let's try and stop it!

If each person who wondered across my blog or was a regular reader donated just $1...............it could make a difference!

Thanks for letting me get on my soap box and beg for money.

I have had 3 good friends over the last couple years who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. With that said I'm happy to say I have also witnessed the miracle of what the Susan G Komen foundation has done in the research for a cure. All 3 of my dear friends are still here to be mommies to their kids!

DONATE! PLEASE I BEG OF YOU!!!!

Event #2

Downtown Snohomish will be celebrating it's 15oth Anniversary this year.

On May 16th Annie's Antiques, Faded Elegance (who is also having a girls night out on April 25th)and The City of Snohomish are organizing a antique sale downtown. This is going to be must attend event!

Never been to Snohomish?

This will be the day to venture out.

Snohomish is one of your regular shopping places?

Mark your calendars ladies and gentleman!

If you would like to be a vendor they are still looking for people to participate.

Check it out!

Event #3

My good friend Charlene who has Freshly Doug Vegetables in Stanwood is gearing up for summer harvest. If you would like to have fresh organically grown vegetables delivered to you go check her out. This is a great way to get fresh vegetables every week. It's also a good way to force yourself to try new things.

I can't wait!

The Hubs and I are excited about it!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMER!!!

Also..........Charlene is planning a one day event at her farm on August 1st. She is looking for vendors. Organic, antiques and home grown is the theme. Go to EVENTS on her page or contact her if you would like more information.

Event #4

You all know the Farm Chicks Sale is getting closer.

How excited are you?

I'm like a kid that knows they are going to Disneyland. I CAN'T WAIT!

My new BFF (she doesn't know it yet but she is because I love this idea and her blog) over at Camp Whimsy has the best idea ever. Making and wearing badges with your blog name on them so all of us bloggers going can meet up when we get to Farm Chicks.

Isn't that a FREAKIN FABULOUS IDEA!!!!!
So all of you who are going to Farm Chicks and are looking to meet fellow bloggers........Get busy!

Me and my posse can't wait to meet you. WSU Laura and her posse will be there with us also.

Event #5

It's a road trip!

Destination..........Crow Oregon!

I know!

Your asking.......Where the hell is Crow?

It's just west of Eugene Oregon.

The Eugene Soroptimist Club is putting on a spring event at one of our favorite places, Sweet Cheeks Winery.

The event is called Reds, Whites, and Blooms.

Cute right?

The Hubs and I are planning on attending this event for the first time. We are so excited about it. Well I am, The Hubs isn't so excited about pulling the Mobile Estate down there but once he drinks too much of that fantastic Sweet Cheeks Wine he won't care anymore!

Not to mention, it's a bit easier to get his fists pried open and away from his money.

Check out the event and consider attending if your in the area. If your going to be in the area at a later date...............Don't miss stopping by Sweet Cheeks Winery. You won't regret it.

P.S. I have some inside scoop that Sweet Cheeks Winery is opening up a B&B on the property SOON. I hear it's going to be somethin! I also heard it might be open in time for this event.

Contact them for more information.

It's all so exciting!

Our summer calendar is starting to fill up already with fun events. I can't wait to share them with you.

I promise in the near future you will find out "why my mother-in-law loves me"

You won't want to miss it!

Have a great day

Some of The Best Rehab Ever!

When your a junker, shopper, social butterfly, Fakebusy Queen like myself, there is nothing better than a day of shopping, junking and having lunch with some friends to make this girls heart sing!

I have been pretty much cooped up in the house for the last month. If I get to go anywhere it's with The Hubs. Don't get me wrong, he's been great. He's just not down with taking me to antique stores and thrift stores.

Oooooooh he will take me, but the bitching sometimes is unbearable. Also there is some switch in his ass that kicks on as soon as he gets in the truck to take me some where. As soon as he's in, buckled up, truck started, he turns to me and says "where are we going to eat?" I don't care if he just ate! This puts a damper on my shopping time!

This annoying habit has made me implement the "I'm dockin you time" rule. For every minute that I have to wait for him to bullshit with someone, or have something to eat, while we are specifically junking or antiquing I get time added to my actual shopping time with

NO COMPLAINING OR QUESTIONS ASKED!

It's good rule. I highly recommended it.

Back to my rehab story.................

So when Lisa e-mailed me a couple weeks ago and said "hey, do you think you would be up to meeting in Centralia for some antique shopping?" I was like............HELL YEAH!

I told The Hubs of my plan and he said "Uhhhhhhhhhmmmm NO!" "you're still in a sling and don't need to be driving that far one armed" "Besides that.......we are in a damn recession!"

Totally bummed.......................

I could have gotten The Hubs to drive me but I needed some girl time.

Oh wait..................Plan B

I called Donna told her my dilemma and hinted around that maybe she would like to drive me. That Donna she is so smart! She had an even better idea!

AMTRAK!

So we bought Amtrak tickets.

The Cascade Train from Seattle King Street Station to downtown Centralia. Where we would meet Lisa and Isabel for a day of antiquing, visiting and lunch.

I'm still in an arm sling so my picture taking skills are even worse than usual.

A lot of my pictures look like this. Taken from waist level. This is Donna's armpit and handbag.

Go check out Lisa and Isabel's blogs for more pictures.

At 7:oo am we were at the Seattle King Street Station to get on board the Amtrak Cascades Train. It runs along the beautiful Puget Sound.

I got these pictures off the Internet. They were much better than my pictures.

We sat in the dining car the whole way.

Had a little breakfast and visited.

Amtrak only serves Pepsi products. YUCK!

You all know I'm a huge Diet Coke snob. I will drink nothing else.

I was soooooooooooooo grateful to Donna when she whipped out 2 Diet Cokes out of her handbag.

Then my good friend Donna...................................

Went to sleep on me.

I haven't been out of the house in weeks!

I wanted to talk!

Donna apparently is leading some glamours, major eventful single girl life that is preventing her from staying awake while I'm talking to her.

Whatever!

I met a new friend on the train named Bob. He works on the train. He had to stay awake!

When you take the train in to Centralia it dumps you off right in the old downtown area which is filled with antique stores. Everything is within walking distance. We were sad to see that a lot of the antique stores were closed down but there are still some fun ones open to poke around in.

Catty Wampus

Great stuff but a little high on prices in my opinion

Centralia Perks

Centralia Perks is a very cute little shop. However it's main focus isn't antiques and junk. It's coffee so be prepared to dig and ask for prices.

I was trying to get a picture of Isabel but then she saw me and took off running.

We poked around some more stores, hit a thrift store and decided that it was time for lunch.

Centralia has a Star Center Antique Mall like we do here in Snohomish. The Star Center Mall in Snohomish has the Collectors Cafe which is FABULOUS! The Hubs and I could probably be considered regulars there. We decided to try The Berry Field Cafe at the Star Center Mall.

It was FREAKIN FABULOUS!!! I highly recommend it.

Isabel

Lisa

I kind of snuck up on her with the picture. That's why she looks a little scared.

Donna awake!

After being super full we headed out to some more antique stores

Lisa and Isabel carrying all their fabulous finds to the car.

I know, I know, I know, it's the back of them. I posted the picture because they still look great from the back side!

Our last stop was a salvage yard that isn't new to Centralia it had just moved to a bigger space. It was called Northwest Tub Company. They had some great pieces at reasonable prices.

Then it was time to catch the train home.

Donna and I decided that Diet Coke for the trip home was a must.

Here is what we decided were the perfect items to make sure you had before boarding the train after a long day of antiquing

Diet Coke

Red Vines

An Old Stuff Newspaper to plot our next road trip. By the way there is a nice article in this issue featuring Barn House. If you haven't seen it go pick one up.

Here are some of the little finds I got on our trip


Another little Wired Haired Fox Terrier figurine. I love these!

I got him home and he is EXACTLY like the one my friend Suzy just brought me when she came to visit last week. Oh well.........now he has a friend!

This great crochet table runner in black and white.

I bought it thinking I would put it over my sofa table. Which I did. It looks OK, but I'm thinking it's not my most favorite. In the mean time, I'll leave it there until something else way MORE better comes to me.

You all know how it is?

Love the black top and the black edging.


I also found this amateur oil painting of some pink Hydrangea.

Love it!

I think it's going to look fabulous in my new bathroom with my other pink floral amateur oil painting.

All in all it was a fantastic day!

Some much needed girl rehab.

This is really a fun girls trip if you like poking around in antique stores. There isn't any antique store there that made me say "OH MY GOD THAT WILL BE ON MY REGULAR STOPS" but it was fun. I thought all the antique stores were a little high priced but you have to poke around. You never know what your going to find.

It was so much fun spending some time with Lisa and Isabel.

I met these ladies last year at the Farm Chicks show and have kept in touch through blogging, e-mails and sale events. It was nice to just have a laid back shopping day to visit with them. I really enjoy these ladies and look forward to spending sometime with them again. Next time we are going to get them up here on the train to shop Snohomish. I think they will love it!

****Shoulder update****

I only have a little over 2 weeks in a sling left. Then some weeks of rehab.

I'm getting around a lot better and my arm is starting to move more normal day after day. When I say more normal I mean, being able to move it in the slightest way without it taking my breath away and making me pee my pants all at the same time.

I'm almost back to normal so my blogs will be more updated.

Happy to be back!