...That's not great.

Meal planning for 5/4-5/10.

Sunday, 5/4. We did Cinco de Mayo a day early with our traditional "Mexi-night" of chicken and cheese quesadillas for the kids, black bean and rice burritos for the adults and chips and slices of cucumbers on the side for everyone.
Monday, 5/5. Broccoli and chicken pasta. It's a favorite of Bubba's. I usually match this meal with the "Mexi-night" since I can split a package of four chicken breasts between the two meals.
Tuesday, 5/6. Marinated steak with rice and corn on the cob. The kids will be happy with the corn, for sure.
Wednesday, 5/7. Kids' Choice Night.
Thursday, 5/8. I'll be out of town at a training all day Thursday and half day Friday, so RD is on his own for dinner!
Friday, 5/9. It's Bubba's birthday! To celebrate, his Auntie V is coming up from Portland and we'll take everyone out to dinner; wherever he wants to go, except McDonalds.
Saturday, 5/10. Chicken with tomatoes and thyme, served with whole grain rice and veggies. This is a recipe from Real Simple magazine that you can prepare, freeze and then pull it out when you need it. Nothing fancy, but it makes pulling together dinner pretty easy.

Bubbles.

This weekend gave me hope for many summer weekends filled with f. Friday evening I finally finished painting the kitchen. I had just one more wall to complete, and it had been mocking me for MONTHS. Saturday was a bit rainy, and in the morning the kids rain errands with RD and Bubba figured out how to play games on Sesame Street. A mellow day, but we got out in the evening to attend a fun birthday party that just plain wiped the kids out. Which is always a good thing.

Then Sunday brought sun; glorious SUN. The kids and I had a lazy morning, while RD worked on a list of mosquito tasks: siliconing all the door hinges, adding molding underneath the door to the garage, putting out the deck furniture, getting the oil changed and more.

We went out to the deck to play with the bubbles the kids received from the previous evening's birthday party.

   

They love to blow bubbles. And, frankly, I can't blame them.

   

I would love to have Sissy's hair; because come on. RD's genes are good for at least one thing: curly hair.

Completing my kitchen painting process energized me to get some additional spring cleaning done. I moved and cleaned under and the sides of both the stove and the refrigerator (PS. NASTY). I hung a bulletin board in the kitchen. I wiped down the kitchen cabinets. I packed up and stored my winter sweaters. I folded and put away three loads of laundry.

And then I weeded the front yard.

The bubbles were more fun.

Kindergarten tears.

I cried everyday of kindergarten for the first four months of the school year. Every. Single. Day. Even though I had spent the past two years attending Montessori preschool at my church with no adjustment issues, something was markedly different in my kindergarten experience.

My mother was my teacher.

She was an experienced teacher by the time I entered her classroom in September of 1981, but this was a new challenge for her. She taught elementary school right out of college while my dad was in the Lutheran seminary, facing the needs of kids in St. Louis, Los Angeles and the Bronx. After my sister was born in 1970, my mother stayed home with us until I (the baby of the family) went to preschool at three years old. Because of this, she never had the opportunity to teach either of her other children.

As I recall, I cried because she did what all kindergarten teachers do: they make every single child in their class feel capable, special and important. In layman's terms; my mommy hugged other kids. And I was NOT happy about it.

"But you get to go home with me everyday!" my mother would tell me, "Next year these kids will move on to first grade, but I will be your mommy forever!"

When dealing with me rationally didn't work, she did what any other self-respecting mother would do in these circumstances: bribery. Apparently, I'll do anything for a set of Strawberry Shortcake Colorforms. I was able to pull myself together and end the daily flow of tears.

I've been thinking a lot about this situation because my son will be entering kindergarten next fall. Will his teacher provide an environment that feel as special as my mother did for her students? Will he or she care and nurture my son the same way my mother cared for her students during her thirty years of teaching? I'm hopeful that they will, and I'll be there every step of the way to ensure it. I believe that it's our job as parents to work with our children's teachers in ways that assist them in enriching the lives of every student in the classroom, not just my own.

And even though you think that it's odd enough that my mother was my kindergarten teacher, I'll also share this with you.

My father was my high school principal. Discuss.

This is why I love softball.

This is real sportsmanship (er, sportswomanship). Makes me proud to call myself a softball player.

Meal planning for 4/28-5/2.

Eh. Better late than never!

Monday, 4/28. Balsamic marinated chicken breasts (I just use a balsamic salad dressing), brown rice and corn on the cob. The kids were SO excited to eat corn on the cob - except Sis kept asking if she could eat the stem part. I'm imagining a whole summer filled with tons of it. And I'm okay with it.
Tuesday, 4/29. BBQ pork, asparagus with salt and pepper and wild rice. I use this recipe - except I cut it in half, since we don't need that much. And I'm still amazed that my kids eat asparagus.
Wednesday, 4/30. Kids' Choice Night. RD will be home early with Bubba (from taekwondo), so he'll get to choose a variety of fried foods to be cooked up. Oh, and I'll insist sides of broccoli and strawberries. On these nights, RD and I usually fend for ourselves (I'm planning on making some home-fried potatoes and fried eggs).
Thursday, 5/1. Flank steak, roasted red potatoes, garden salad. For the salad, I'm thinking mixed greens, red onion, grape tomatoes, cucumber and oil/vinegar dressing. Something simple.
Friday, 5/2. Our Friday standby, Boboli pizza: cheese, pepperoni and onion. I'll pick up some corn and the cob, too, so I'll be the best mom ever. Just in time for Mother's Day.

Five for Friday: One day and $1,864.71 short.

So, it's not Friday anymore, but we DID just pay off the remainder of my college loans (thanks to our tax return). No more monthly $250+ payments. That's a great way to start the weekend, for sure.

Here's five things we'll be up to on this beautiful, sunny Seattle weekend:

1. Some spring cleaning. This morning I vacuumed out the slider doors, cleaned and set out the outdoor furniture, cleaned all the window blinds and used our leaf blower to clean up our driveway and walkway.
2. Design my kids dual birthday party invitations. It won't be too difficult because I'm planning a little tongue-in-cheek invite, basically using last year's invite. We had this wonderful spring party at a park planned for 2007, and it ended up raining torrentially. Even though we had rented a large picnic shelter, the party was over in like 45 minutes. The kids still had a great time. So my plan basically have the same party (with references to "re-do" or "make-up"), except this time we'll include a back-up plan and a rain out number to call.
3. Upload a backlog of old pictures into Flickr. Jayesal (PS, don't you think just looks just like Pam from The Office?) has shared a great way to override some of the Flickr standard protocols for the order of pictures in your photostream.  Using her advice, I can upload photos, and they will go into my photostream in the location in regards to the date they were taken, not the day uploaded (which is Flickr's standard). I was hesitant before to go back and upload my pre-Flickr photos, so I wouldn't overwhelm my Flickr friends with all these supposedly "new" photos, that were actually three years old. Noone is interested in how bad my hair looked three years ago.
4. Date night! RD and I are headed out to dinner at the Spag (free dinner vouchers!) and to go see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I do love my Judd Apatow comedies.
5. Work. On Sunday. Again. This month's workload as been insane - I have TEN grant and letter of intent deadlines in the next two weeks.  Hopefully just this Sunday and maybe the next Sunday.

What are you up to this weekend?

What's in MY make-up bag?

Work and home have been pretty busy around here, and it seems that means either I post almost EVERY DARN DAY (like last week) or practically nothing (like this week).

Well, you do what you can.

I have a couple of posts in the hopper (how I'm doing on my resolutions, my thoughts about my son starting public school next year, my review of the new Mariah Carey album - REALLY groundbreaking, important stuff), but as a way of avoiding actually, ya know, FINISHING them, I'll tide you over with a view of "what's in my make-up bag?"

You can blame Slynnro for this. She's fabulous by the way.

I'll start in the upper left hand corner with my everyday make-up bag and then work in order of how I apply it on my face.  My products range from the basically cheep to the somewhat spendy.  You've been warned.

Sonia Kashuk make-up bag. They no longer sell this particular pattern at Target, but I can say that the bags from this line that I purchased have held up for over a year. I have some of the coordinating bags from the same line that I use in my gym bag and when I travel. This particular bag is great because the zipper extends all the way to the bottom of the bag, which allows the bag to open side and make it easy to quickly find what you need. I've also washed it in the washing machine and air dried it with no issues.

The Face
Smashbox Photo Finish. I know, I know; a foundation primer seems like a lot of work, put it really isn't. It just seems to really help make-up go on smooth and blend well. And this little jar lasts a long time. Try to pick a sample up next time you shop at Sephora and see what you think.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Smoothing Stick. I use this to cover up any acne when I breakout or for dark spots on my face. I have tried A LOT of different brands of concealer, and I've found this brand and color a great match for my skin. Plus, it stays in place and is a great value to boot.

Trish McEvoy Shell Eye Brightener. I use this to assist in the massive undertaking that is the process of covering up my intense undereye circles. It is so light; and instead of COVERING the dark areas with a heavy make-up, it's more about reflecting light off the area (I learned this thanks to Carmindy!). If you use a product like this, be sure to touch up that dark inner area of your eye (near your nose). Trish's products are a little spendy (I have a friend who uses her products exclusively, and she loves them), but one stick lasts me a year.

Sonia Kashuk Pencil Sharpener. Spend where you need to, save when you can. I use this for the Eye Brightener and for any other cheap pencil eyeliner that I have. It works great and for a price of about $6, you can't beat it.

Bare Escentials Bare Minerals Foundation. I started using this again after I discovered a better color for my complexion within their line. I had ordered the "Fair" starter box, and the two colors included were not the right match. I now use both "Fair" and "Fairly Light". I do use (and LOVE) Full Coverage Kabuki Brush (the short stubby brush to the right of the Bare Escentials compacts). I also use the Light Stroke Brush if I have to cover up specific spots or blemishes.

Boots No. 7 Blush. I just needed a simple compact blush and this one fit the bill! I checked out the reviews online and liked the colors I saw in the store. I've only been using this for a couple of months, and I do like the color and the coverage. I apply it with the Flawless Application Face Brush. I had previously used a Mac blush brush for this, but the handle was too long to fit easily in the bag. The Bare Escentrials brushes are a high quality and last a long time. Brushes are a tool that it is good to spend a little bit of money on.

The Eyes
Eveliner and Mascara
Tip: For easy and smooth application of stick or pen eyeliner, hold the eyeliner tip under the warm air of a blowdryer to warm it up for a few seconds (not too long though, because, OUCH). It will then get a bit softer and easier to apply.

MAC Shadestick. I actually use this as an eyeliner, on the days when I want a smokier eye or am not applying any eyeshadow. It has an duller point and goes on really smooth. This has been a make-up bag staple for a few years.

CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Self Sharpening Eye Pencil. For under $5, this is a great everyday eyeliner. It will give you a precise line and stands up pretty well for a full day of work and kids. Also, it's great to experiment with other colors (I recently picked this up in midnight blue) to figure out if a color works for you without spending too much money.

Loreal Lash Out Mascara. Susan recommended, so I went out and tried it, and do you know what? I REALLY like it. Before, when I was spending upwards to $30 on one tube of mascara, it was so hard to toss it in the trash after the recommended 3-5 months. Now, it's not a big deal.

Shadow and Brushes, etc.
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers for Eyes. For myself, I'm not big into wearing eye shadow every day, but I do like this combination of colors and wear it to work 3-4 days a week.

MAC Brushes. I use the #208 Small Angled Brow Brush and 194 Concealer Brush. Obviously, neither are used for their MAC-approved uses, but ever the rebel I am!

Sonia Kashuk Lash and Brow Brush. I use this to help separate my lashes. I love that it folds up.

Not pictured, but still important; my lipcolor. I've always, ALWAYS had trouble finding a color I liked and about a year ago I feel in love with a color by Boots No. 7, Sheer Temptation - Entice. However, just because I like the color, doesn't help me remember to reapply; but really, baby steps, people, baby steps.

Some of you that know me are thinking, "GOOD LORD, all the product for a so-so result?" Just remember, I spent YEARS getting to "so-so" and I am plenty happy with it. To quote Holly from Nothing But Bonfires, "You say tomato, I say you're saying it wrong."

What 4 inches of snow in April looks like.

We've already lost power twice tonight. It's going to be a long weekend.

The reason for this? We live in the Puget Sound convergence zone.  Frankly, I'm blaming it on Jeff Renner.  Just because.

Five for Friday: the Tri-cities edition.

I just returned yesterday from a work conference in the Tri-cities, specifically Richland.  It's an annual conference I attend, usually with one or two fellow staff members.  Because of who I go with, we have a great time exploring the locality.  Since the west side of the state is having such a crappy spring (BTW, it SNOWED today!), it felt so wonderful to feel the warmth of a 75 degree day (due to the rain shadow effect of the Cascade Mountain Range).

So, here's the five best things about the Tri-cities:

1. You can literally drive through all three of the Tri-cites in about 20-25 minutes.  State Route 395 to I-82 in one big circle, which, yes, we did do.
2. The sheer volume of Mexican bakeries and taco trucks.  DELICIOUSNESS everywhere.  I even brought some home with me.
3. The abundance of wineries and wine bars.  On our way to the conference we stopped at Hogue in Prosser and also hit up a few wine bars in Kennewick.
4. Winco Foods.  I had never seen what ten pounds of ground beef in one single package looked like until we went to one of these LARGE scale grocery stores.
5. Ah, hello, the rain shadow effect.  This one alone should be worth a few points.

Dear Starbucks.

Now, you have to know, after all we've been through, that I'm a fan of yours. Hell, I even worked for you for 9 months back in 1999-2000. I love it pretty much any way that you serve it: cold, hot, Frappuccino, and my personal heaven - the french press.  Even when people bitched about you - I stood up for you. As the "big dog" in the coffee business you take a majority of the heat, but I have always felt that your business practices and the way your treat your "partners" was progressive. One of my dreams is to work for you in your Social Responsibility division.

And, I know it's been a tough year or so for you. Your stock is down (I even own some) and you've lost your focus. And people are tightening their belts and have less money to buy $4 coffees, to go along with their $4/gallon gas and plummeting housing prices. You were really pushing the books and music sales. It wasn't about the coffee for awhile.

You've made some big moves in the past few months, most of which I fully support. The return of Howard Schulz (although I'm still pissed at him for selling the Sonics) to the helm of the company, the ending of breakfast sandwiches (fine by me; never hand one, never wanted to), the creation of the Pike Place Blend. You purchased a local coffee equipment company, Clover, in the hopes of taking beans to the next level. I'm even cool with my barista asking for my name to label my cup (here's a shout-out to my baristas at the Gateway Plaza!).  Harmless enough.

However, this "skinny" drink crap you're trying to pull is where I'm drawing the line. But I refuse, however, to call my standard drink anything other than a "grande, sugar-free vanilla, non-fat latte". And I'm pretty sure most baristas agree.

Love,
Bethany

PS. I'm digging all the new benefits of the Starbucks Card. It may even convince me to get one.