Tuesdays With Dorie

While using Stumbleupon a while back I Stumbled across the blog Tuesdays with Dorie. It started it out with one blogger wanting to go through the book Baking:From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan. Over the last eight months it has exploded and there are over 250 blogger participants. There are only a few rules, one of which include owning the book.

Since my birthday is coming up on Thursday I convinced Bobby that that was what I wanted for my birthday. Yesterday we headed off to Books-A-Million to pick it up. The website said the cost was $26.00. Um yeah that would be on the website...for club members. After writing down the recipe I thought I was supposed to make for this week we came home and ordered the book on Amazon.com for $11.57.

For some reason I thought I was supposed to make the Chocolate Banded Ice Cream Torte....it was the recipe for last Tuesday. I made it anyway today with so-so results and thought I would post it anyway. If I get my book in time I will post on Tuesday about the Chunky Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Chocolate Chipsters chosen by Stephany of Proceed With Caution .

As you can see these are the ingredients. The recipe called for Vanilla Ice Cream whirled with Raspberry's. Since I do not have a food processor..yet.. I chose to go with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Oh yeah, and I am the only one in my house that like raspberry ice cream.

I do not have a double boiler but this was what was suggested in the book anyway. Aside from being a little awkward to keep steady while stirring it worked out nicely.

Now this next picture looks kind of nice but it was melty around the edges and had to go back in the freezer for ...oh about 3 more hours.After we cut into it I realized how much longer I should have let each layer set in the freezer. It was really squishy.

I do have to say I was in a little bit of a hurry because I was trying to get it put together before our open house today. When I make this again I will make sure that the freezer is extra cold and that each layer sits at least 30 minutes.

Even though it was squishy we all ate it up! Delicious!

Tagged

I have been tagged by Laura because she thinks I might have something funny to say....I guess that is to been seen....
Enjoy!

1. I am a frustrated perfectionist. I want things to be orderly and neat or my scrapbook pages to be perfect artful creations. It doesn't happen as I don't want to spend a ton of time on stuff.

2. My bowling team, The Pink Panthers, was 10th in the nation in the Bantam Bowling League. I think I was 8. I have a picture of me in pigtails accepting some award.

3. Not long after I moved to Vacaville I was walking backwards yelling at some guy. I tripped over the curb and landed on my rear end. I told (shoot was it Nicole or Cyndi) "Hey! I found a place for us to sit!"

4. I secretly have no desire to decorate my house. Well, maybe it isn't so secret and maybe I didn't get the decorating gene.

5. I love to read but don't get to do it as much anymore. I thought I was a fast reader until I met Bobby...who speed reads. Yeah, I don't read that fast. The scariest book I ever read (and I don't scare easily) was either "It" or "Salems Lot". I still can't walk over a giant grate by a curb without hearing "We all float down here" in my head.

6. My favorite line from a song is from the Indigo Girls song Mystery. It is "When summers beginning to give up her fight, and every thoughts a possibility." There are days at the end of the summer when I can feel the line from that song.

So...now that you know these things. Here you go......it's your turn.

Here are the rules.

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules to your blog
3. Write 6 random things about yourself
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them
5. Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.

I am tagging:

Angela Jackson-because she has just discovered Facebook and how awesome it is.
Kacey Reese--because even though we are far apart friends are always close in heart!
Suzanne at Joyfulchaos--because she always has a great story
Tracy Brothers--Because she has a kindergartener
Davi from Band of Brothers--she's a super creative soul
Amy Bierman because she is at the blueberry festival and I am not!

New Puppy

We got a new puppy the other day! Oh wait no.....it was just the amount of hair that could have been a new puppy that I swept up in my living room. I swear I swept 2 days before!!!

Mini Panic Attack

Yesterday Bobby and I dropped Munchkin off at Konnect and headed out to peruse the local bookstore with Little Man.
Since we were sitting by the train table I picked up and American Girl Book about things to talk to your parents about. As a mom I always wonder when THOSE questions are going to start coming. You know the ones I am talking about ladies. Of course in the intro of the book it says puberty starts anywhere from 8-12 years old. Yeah, that is where the mini panic attack set in. My little baby Munchkin is 6 Years 1 Months 2 Weeks and 4 Days old! You can see it over there on the side in my little ticker. That only leaves me 1 year 11 months 2 weeks and 3 days to start talking to her about the onset of puberty! WHAT? My little baby that has turned in to a little girl will be vanishing in a lovely young lady before my very eyes!

I had to go grocery shopping after school today. It is a chore I vary rarely experience alone. That is probably good since I end up wandering around in a daze and buying things like saffron or Thai rice noodles, ya know, for just in case. We had a big shopping trip ahead of us and half way through, of course, had to visit the ladies room.
Let me tell ya...sometimes having an early reader is a little trying. All of a sudden Munchkin looked up at me and asked "Why doesn't that machine have any napkins? And what are taamm-pons?" WHAT? I was just reading that dang book yesterday! She is too little to understand about the whole cycle of nature thing!
So, I tried to avoid but I don't want to do that because I want to always be open with her. Instead of totally avoiding I said "those are for girls and women that are older than you." "But, why Mommy?" "Um, well older girls and women need them but that is a little bit old for you. When you are a little bit older we will talk more about it but for now you know they are for girls over the ago of 8!"
The child doesn't miss a thing. Well, except when you ask what she did at school and she says "I don't remember." Yesterday she piped up from the back seat "Mommy,, what are drugs?"
Now, I know she didn't get that at school. The Police at the Night Out Against Crime were handing out Say No to Drugs tattoos and coloring books.

I reminded her about how we had talked about smoking being bad for your health. She remembered that and I just said there are some drugs that are good for you like antibiotics and allergy medicine but only if mommy or daddy give them to her. Bad drugs are even worse than smoking for your health. We talked about how she should never take a friends medicine or even hold it if someone asks.

SERIOUSLY! I was talking to my 6 year old about drugs. I guess it is good that it came from reading her coloring book and not from school. But still.....
I just pray she remembers what we talk about at home before she gets into any kind of sticky situation.
Did I mention she is getting tested for ENCORE this week? She is pretty excited about that.

Nashville Night Out Against Crime

Every year since we have been in Tennessee we have attended the Nashville Night Out Against Crime. There are several locations throughout the county and one happens to be in our neighborhood. The very first year it was held at the Fire Hall. There were a couple of tables set up and someone gave away easy grow flower kits. It has grown tremendously since then. I don't remember what year it was moved but it is now held on the ball field.

This year food was given away by Hickory Brothers BBQ, a military helicopter was there for the kids to climb on and the Police helicopter landed on the field. There was face painting, firemen, police men and lots of give aways of course. Munchkin and Little Mans favorite were these lovely guitars!

The kids love to go to the event every year. At least this year it was not too terribly hot. There have been years past when it was sweltering.

This is such a great community event to have every year. The neighbors all get out to go to it, you get free food and tons of information on local services! If you don't have one near you I suggest checking www.nashville.gov to see what you need to get one in your area!

Magic Blue Smoke=Bad!

We woke up late this morning. Well, I take that back. My alarm went off at 6:30 and I hit snooze until 6:45. I really wanted a shower to wake up so I made poor Bobby get out of bed to help me get the kids ready. Munchkin finally drug herself out of bed and got herself dressed but not until after I had told her to get up at least 4 times.

While in the shower I hear "Karen, where is the toaster?" I didn't realize hubs had not put in his contacts yet so I was really annoyed that he handed looked for it. Of course I knew where it was after cleaning all day yesterday and told him exactly where it was. When I discovered he didn't have his eyes in yet I was slightly less annoyed.

Getting shoes on was a pain and we finally got out the door.

At the light just leaving our neighborhood I noticed the car making a little shimmy in 1st gear.
Munchkins school is not that far and we were already running late so I just kept going. The car would not get up to the right speed and in several gear was doing a bigger shimmy than before.

As we got to the intersection right before school the check engine light started blinking and the car stalled out on me. I rounded the corner, stalled out and all of a sudden had blue smoke pouring from under the hood. I wasn't planning on walking Munchkin in but I didn't dare pull up in the circle with the car acting like that. I was praying that I would break down and cause all of the traffic to back up around the corner. I managed to make it into the parking lot only stalling one more time. When Little Man and I came back after our short walk the car started right up and we drove home.

I was supposed to go to Moms In Touch this morning but had to go home and drive Bobby to work. I am afraid to drive the car and get stuck somewhere.

I am wondering if our oil tank is dry. I got an oil change a few weeks ago but just the last couple of days I have noticed a few oil spots on the street. I am not sure why it would just start leaking now. Who knows. I know we need a new transmission and a new catalytic converter but have zero dollars to fix it. We may be a one car family for a little while.

Ugh. So, by 8:25 I was already having a day that made me want to cuss! It is better now. Little Man and I are hanging out watching Between the Lions while he plays with our obnoxious dog.
Hopefully the rest of the day will be even better.

Precocious Moments with Munchkin

Tonight we were discussing ice cream flavors on our way home from dance class. Bobby came and met us so he could see Munchkin dance. In our discussion about ice cream he stated that he prefers a vanilla base. Munchkin piped up with "I like chocolate!"
Bobby responded "I know honey, you are your mommys baby!"
To which she exclaimed "Yours too! Cuz I pass and gas A LOT!!!!"

A Brief Memory

When Bobby and I got married one of our favorite activities was going to the movies. We both had full time jobs and few bills. We would drive over to the AMC movie theater in Covina, check what was playing when, and go have dinner at Outback. It always worked out that we could find something we wanted to see and got to have a delicious dinner. We were a little more spontaneous back then I guess because we had to be. Now you can look up what is playing when on Movietickets.com and plan around that. Of course we only go to the movies about once every 6 months now due to the price and not wanting to see kids movies every time we go.

Anyway, I was just thinking about how easy it is to figure out movie times with the Internet and how much I love technology and share it with my 5 faithful readers! :)

Release of the Magic Blue Smoke

Or this could also be titled "Where the heck is my brain?"

A few days ago I mentioned the delicious looking Snickery Squares that I am just waiting to bake. I bought some caramel topping hoping that would work, as I still can't find Dulce De Leche! This morning I finally got out all of the ingredients and started the process:


The recipe specifically calls for a food processor to "pulse" the ingredients. Since I do not have a food processor I thought "I have a blender with a pulse setting on it I will try that! How much difference can there be?"

My first clue should have been when I plugged the durn thing into 2 different sockets and it didn't work. I plugged the blender into the third outlet and it spun to life making me jump. Of course when it wouldn't blend the dry ingredients together I just got a spatula and started shoving them down in there. When they looked like they were mixed enough I tossed in the 1 stick of chopped up butter. This is where things got sticky (hardy har har). I was vigilant in trying to get those ingredients mixed.
All of a sudden the blender started to make a really bad sound. It also released the magic blue smoke that makes appliances work. You know...the smoke that is accompanied by a really terrible smell that won't go away for hours? After frantically unplugging the blender to make sure it didn't actually catch on fire I took the glass part off and dumped the dough into a bowl. I hadn't gotten to the part where I had to add the egg yolk and figured I would just mix it in by hand.

There was so much dough stuck down in the bottom of the blender I had to take it apart to get it out. Unfortunately, when I finally got it apart I realized the glass was chipped on the bottom. I have no idea how that happened. I didn't hit it on anything, wasn't rough while taking the thing apart... I found the great big piece but thankfully noticed that it didn't quite match up or I may have blissfully continued my tortured process. I looked in the bowl with the dough and saw something shiny. Yep, that's right, an extra tiny piece of glass. I had to throw out all of the dough.

Little Man went to the store with me this morning and had picked out a mint brownie mix. So, instead of my gourmet Snickery Squares I decided to make the box of brownies. While it was baking Little Man was playing the Wii and kept asking me to help him, I was trying to start a blog post and for some reason I walked in the kitchen half way through baking and turned off the oven.
When the timer went off and I opened the oven door I was so confused. I knew they weren't supposed to look like pudding. It took me a few minutes to figure out what I had done. Finally, after turning the oven back on the delicious smell of brownies filled the house...instead of the Magic Blue Smoke smell.

I just could not figure out where my brain was today. Oh, well. After I buy a new blender, and maybe a food processor I will try the Snickery Squares again. Maybe by then I will find someplace that carries Dulce De Leche.

Shhh...It's a secret

Photo by Joel Anderson

Or maybe it's not such a secret. Today was one of those days when I had to run to the store because of this one item I forgot. I have been a Secret girl for as long as I can remember. I dabbled with Degree and some other hoity toity natural brand that just leaves you stinky and arm pit ringed. This is the Antiperspirant/Deodorant that works best for me.

I have been using the platinum line for quite some time now. When I went to the store today there was a new line for $1 more. The Platinum line has now been converted to that weird gel stuff and the new "Flawless Touch" line, I am fairly certain, is the old platinum line.

Thank you secret for changing your packaging to include a flower shape for me to push the deodorant through. That will make my morning routine so much better! Especially paying $1 more for the pretty little flower.

Can I also say, thank you for not making the Shower Fresh Fragrance in the Flawless Touch line (only velvetly violet and orangy tangerine and vanilla latte...or something of the sort). I did see it in the new platinum weird gel line. That's ok, I guess I will go back to Powder Fresh. Some guy in high school told me he liked my perfume when I was wearing that one.

So, it's not a secret that Secret has changed it's packaging and raised it's prices AGAIN. I did flirt with the notion of checking out Degree again. Of course, Hannah Montana on the outside of one of theirs didn't win me over.

Hey Look!

Bobby is playing close enough you can make it to his show!
The second one is on my birthday (September 4th) so come out and celebrate with me! :)

Salient at Center Coffee House w/ Knapsack Heroes
Date/Time:	Sunday August 24, 2008
Time:	8:00pm - 9:00pm
Entry Type:	MySpace Event
Location:	Center Coffee House w/ Knapsack Heroes
City:	Mt. Juliet

Salient

September, 4 2008 at The End- Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Cost : $5

The End with Manic Bloom

Please!!!!

If I say it with cream and sugar and a cherry on top will someone please come buy our house? I know we are not offering a huge incentive to an agent. We can't afford it. We made some stupid financial mistakes that we are paying for now. Please buy our house so we can get back on track. Please don't tell me my house is overpriced and has too much work to do to it (especially if the first words as a realtor to me are "Why are you here? It says you have a combo..where is it?"). It was built in 1918 there will always be work that has to be done to it. It is on the National Registry of Historic places for cryin out loud! Houses just like ours are selling for 3 times the price in Williamson County and Sylvan Park. Our neighborhood has the lowest crime rate in Davidson County!

On a brighter note..we had 3 showings in the last 3 days. I guess that is good. Please, with cream and sugar and a cherry on top, buy our house!

Late Nights and Creative Flow

My poor lonely scrapbook "stuff" has been packed away in storage for a couple of months due to trying to sell our house. I normally have it in our "office". But, that has been turned into an office/music room leaving zero room for scrap supplies.

I went over to the storage place on Thursday to pick up my measly..eh, hem.. I mean ginormous load of stuff and thought I got everything. After dropping Munchkin off on Friday morning for school I headed for the Scrap House and set up all my stuff. It wasn't until then that I realized I had not cutting tools or adhesive. I was missing one small box of stuff. Back to storage I went. When we packed up the locker we put my craft supplies near the door so I could get to them if need be. Well, this small box was packed in a big box near the back. 15 boxes later I found what I was looking for. All I can say is thank goodness it is not as hot as it was last August! It was hot in there but not terrible.

After lunch with Munchkin I ran back home to make some Cracker Candy. I was planning on making Snickery Squares but can't find Dulce De Leche. If you see some let me know because I still want to make them!

Bobby came home early so I could take off. When I got to the my exit I realized I left my box of ribbons in the desk in the entry. Yeah...not off to a good start.

I was still the first one to the retreat. One of my friends had been there to set up her stuff and move the tables around but had to go home. Bobby said he would meet me in Rivergate with my box so I headed back out....again.

When was the last time you went to the movies with a friend? I am not talking the free movies with the kids either. In those you have to worry about noise level, popcorn spillage and 13 trips to the bathroom. I have been racking my brains trying to remember if I have been on a girls night..and I just remembered....
Before I had Little Man, Bobby and I paid a babysitter and went to Opry Mills. We met up with a group of friends and I went with the girls to see The Longest Yard. (Apparently I did have Little Man as it came out in 2005 and he was born in 2004). Bobby went with the guys to see something different. It was kind of a weird girls night because the guys were there and aside from watching the movie we didn't really get to hang out. All that to say Angela and I took Saturday afternoon to go see Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. We both walked out thinking it was really cute...and that we were glad we didn't drag the guys to it. Even though we know they would have sat through it with us it was more fun to just go with a girlfriend.

After the movie, back to the ScrapHouse we went. I think we stayed up until 2 that morning working on our books. We watched a couple more chick flicks and listened to a whole lotta music.
All in all I think I got about 56 pages done.

It was so fun to go and actually scrapbook. I did feel a little uncreative during much of the weekend. I am guessing that is because it has been awhile since I put my creative hat on. Even though I felt a little rusty I still feel pretty good about most of my pages. And here are a few of my favorites:

Off I go!

I am headed off to a scrapbook retreat for the weekend. In the meantime here is an old layout from a couple of years ago. Have a great weekend!

Things that have made me smile today

1. My daughter running into school with a smile on her face.

2. My husband taking care of the dog.

3. My son doing kung fu.... or what he thinks is kung fu.

4. The TV has not even been turned on this morning.

5. The sweet prayer my daughter said in the car.

6. My son telling me he was going to push me in the pool with my clothes on. It was just funny.

Things that have annoyed me today

1. While walking our dog I cleaned up her poop at the park because I am a responsible pet owner. The thing that annoyed me? Coming home and finding fresh poop in my yard that didn't belong to my dog.

2. I made lemon bars last night. They were sitting on the counter this morning and the dog licked them. Why am I annoyed by that? It was a treat for the humans! Not the dog.

3. Paying bills always annoys me.

4. Calling the school district to find out about IEP testing and the call not going through.

5. Calling the school district (calling because the link on the website is broken) to find out about substitute teaching and being told by a computer that my call was not going to be answered and to call back later.

6. Our house still being on the market.

First Day First Grade

The first day of first grade went off without a hitch. Munchkin loves her new teacher. There are fewer kids in her class than the others. I am guessing it is because there is a boy with autism in their class that needs a little bit more attention. That is ok with me though.

Ang put a pic up of the soccer star from last year and this year so I am doing the same. Crazy, the difference from day one of Kindergarten to now!! :)

Apprehension

Tomorrow is my big girls first day of first grade. I guess I can't really call her a baby anymore after losing 3 teeth. She is not apprehensive...I am! It is a little strange and a lot different than last year. We had orientation the Friday before Kindergarten started so we all knew what to expect. This year we meet her teacher the first day of school. I had to go to the school and find out who she had by looking on the door.

She is excited because 2 of the kids from her class last year are in her class this year along with 1 other little girl from Daisies.

I think I am apprehensive because it is another whole group of parents to meet. I met and got along great with the parents from last year and I am sure I will this year as well. But still.

We have been praying for the right teacher for our little Munchkin. She looks nice in her picture and she scrapbooks...so she has to be good right? :) I have nothing to be apprehensive about at all.....

3 years

What a difference 3 years makes. We went to a birthday party at the Pampered Palace the other day. Munchkin had her 3rd birthday party there. When we were there 3 years ago she was excited and loved getting her hair and make up done. But, when it came to singing in the mic she was a little timid. This time she danced all over the stage and sang confidently in front of everyone.

Where did my baby go? She is the diva in the pink chair.

Seeing her up there was just shocking from the last time. Our friend was turning 4. Munchkin looked like a giant compared to her and a couple of the other little girls. That is saying a lot as she is still teeny tiny.
I am struck by how fleeting the time is I have with my baby. It won't be long before the days of fashion, make-up and boyfriends is here. She won't want or need me nearly as much and that just kills me.

I pray that I can nurture her creativity, her independence and her sweet attitude and help her fly when the time is right.

Whine

Why can't I have anything nice for more than 2 seconds? I always carry my cell phone with me when I walk for "just in case". I just got my brand new Lg EnV2 on Saturday.
This morning at the end of my walk my neighbors dog leaped on top of my dog which sent my phone flying through the air.
I guess I should be glad it didn't break but all of the corners are scratched. I know it was bound to get scratched anyway but 4 days? Grr...

Sloth

That is pretty much my sin of choice. Unless of course you count gluttony...but really who can pass up a piece of delicious birthday cake or $1.50 cheesecake? Besides I am really working on that one.

Normally I can care less if my house is less than perfect. I despise cleaning and usually realize what a mess it is when someone is planning on coming over. Well, it is worse than normal due to the dog being back. Dog hair is my nemesis!

I am feeling pretty good about beating down the sloth monster today (forgive me I am a list kinda girl!).

I have:
Gone for a one mile walk with the dog and cleaned up her nasty poop.
Taken the kids to Walmart to pick up mini M&Ms
Baked mini M&M cupcake bites with the kids
Swept the entire living room and dining room ridding them of unwanted dog hair
Washed and dried 2 loads of laundry
Ripped up the upstairs hallway carpet
Removed all of the carpet tack strips and staples
Scrubbed the upstairs hallway with a Brillo pad trying to get the paint spots off from previous owners
And now I am posting about it all.

So, sloth today is not my sin. Yeah!
Hopefully tomorrow will continue in today's vein.

Capture Music City

The end of the process for the Capture Music City book is coming in just under two weeks. The photos for the book have to be voted on before then. I know some of you have signed up and voted on photos but it would mean a lot to me if you would go on and vote for my pictures. If you love them you need to click the love button before you vote for the picture. Or, if you want to leave a comment you can do that before voting on the picture.

It does require you to provide an active email address to sign in and vote. They do not sell your email address and will not spam you.

I am really hoping some of my pictures will get in the book and every vote counts. So, please come on over to www.capturemusiccity.com and vote for my pictures. Make sure to check out Mandy Lemays, Amy Lafayettes and Miriam Brants as well!!

On the home page you can search for Karen Reinsch to find my page of pictures!

Thanks!

Karen

www.ourcrazyblessedlife.blogspot.com

VBS and our Day at the Froufy Mall

Every year Bobbys company puts on a "Bring your kids to work day". This year they changed it to a VBS Celebration to unveil next year theme. It is going to be really fun. Both kids were excited but Munchkin has been talking about going to work with daddy for at least a month.

We started out in the worship rally and learned the songs for both Truth Trek and The Boomerang Express. We then got to head out to the different areas. The kids were super excited about games so we started there and then went on to crafts.

On the way we saw these cool flags hanging in the atrium:


We were also up really high (and by high I mean on the 3rd floor) which distracted the kids from going anywhere until they had sufficiently breathed all over the glass.
There was a ton a different games for the kids, one of which had these adorable kangaroo slippers. The object was to hop down to an Aussie hat, go around and come back. This was as far as Little Man got. He would have nothing to do with jumping around with those evil giant kangaroos on his feet!
Craft time was a different story. He jumped right into the craft just like Big Sister. He was able to color and some of the project but daddy needed to help him a little with cutting.
Once we were done with all of the activities laid out we went down to the cafeteria for lunch. Bobby had thought it was free but we realized once we got down there that there was a charge. That was ok though, there were a lot of kids and we decided to go for Mexican for lunch anyway. Fiesta Azteca has delicious guacamole if you had ever wondered!

A few days ago I posted about the little cheesecake rumor I had heard from Laura. Well, as it was true and happened to be the same day I decided to take the kids to get $1.50 cheesecake at the Mall at Green Hills. This is not a mall I frequent. One, because it is pretty far away but not so bad if I am already half way there. And, two, it is expensive. I am a Target, Ross and maybe sometimes Kohls shoppin' kinda girl. I am afraid Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Tiffanys are a little out of my price range at the moment.

Dana, our drummers wife, and their two kids came to meet me so we could all indulge together. We got there pretty early though and took a little walk around the mall. One of my favorite stores out there is Williams Sonoma. They have such fun cookware in there and I get such great ideas. Who doesn't love cupcakes?


Munchkin found this adorable apron and actually requested that I take her picture after she put it on. Silly girl! Not long after this my angels discovered the pizza samples. Munchkin wanted one, which of course meant Little Man HAD to have one too.
I told them it was OK and watched as their little hands each took one. I looked away to look at a spice for all of 10 seconds. When I looked back Little Man had his hand over his mouth and was saying "it was too 'picy!". I had no idea where the sample went and then I realized.....it was back on the sample tray. I realize I probably should have told the clerk that I had no idea which piece was his and that they should throw them all away. But did I? No, instead, mortified, I grabbed my kids and walked really fast out of the store.
We headed straight to the Cheesecake Factory. Dana got in just a couple minutes after we did and saw Nicole C Mullen in there waiting for a table. Both of our husbands have met her but of course she wouldn't know us from Adam. She is in this next picture...it's a really good one. :)
Normally if I was to get cheesecake I would get one slice and take half of it home. My favorite kind is Godiva because I am a girl and most normal girls like chocolate! On Wednesday cheesecake was $1.50. So, we all got our own piece. And yes, we did all bring some home.
Deliciousness! Godiva, Snickers and Adams Peanut Butter Ripple. Yum!
You might notice Little Man has a bite out of his whipped cream in this picture. He managed to sneak that bite as soon as the plate was set in front of him.

Here is Dana and her kiddos. I think drummer boy is in a sugar stupor already. :)
At this point I was thinking it might be a little bit of a mistake to have let Munchkin finish this much of her cheesecake. She was jumping up and down in the booth. At first it didn't even phase me until I realized...she was JUMPING UP and DOWN in the BOOTH!!! We had to walk off some of that excess energy after all that cheesecake.



Shopping at that mall is always an experience. There are no baggy pants or gold teeth to be seen. But there are plenty of 3 inch high heels and men that look like they stepped out of a Burberry ad. It is enough to make a girl feel really frumpy.

Oh well, at least I can drown my sorrows in the rest of my cheesecake!