85

Today is my grandmother's 85th birthday.  This evening we (my brother, aunt and uncle, some cousins) are all meeting up at my parents house where my mom has made a lovely dinner to celebrate.  My kids want to know why birthdays ending in 0 and 5 are a big deal, but really, I think once you hit a certain age each and every year should be celebrated big. 

85.  Will I reach 85?  If I do, will I be spry and active for my age or a frail bitter little thing?  I think I've already got the crotchety old lady thing down pretty well at the mere age of 35.  Whatever awaits me, I just hope I'm greeted with my kids, grandkids, and great grandkids as my grandmother will be. 

Sometimes I Amaze Myself

Sometimes I just amaze myself.  Both in good and bad ways.  Today was a mixture of both.

It all started with a grocery list that I made yesterday.  There was much more meat, chicken, etc. on my list than usual because there were a lot of good sales going on this week.  I purchased it figuring I could always throw some of it in the freezer for another time and hoped that I remembered to do so without any of it going bad first.

Today I dragged myself to the grocery store (after patiently waiting for the grocery fairies who never showed), came home, unloaded my groceries and then sat down.  When I realized the dinner fairies weren't going to show up either, I began wondering what the easiest meal to make for tonight.   I also figured out how busy the rest of my week was and what would be best for what nights. 

Then it hit me.  Rather than sitting here spending my time figuring out what to make on which nights I should just make them now.  Duh. 

In less than an hour I had a roast chicken in the oven for tonight's dinner, 2 meatloaves assembled (1 for later in the week and 1 for the freezer) and my Hawaiian Chicken dish prepped and put in the fridge.  Throw in my pot roast for the end of the week and I have very little cooking to do for the rest of the week!  All I have to do it is put it in the oven and whip up a side. 

So while I was amazed at myself for being so genius and saving a lot of time and aggravation in the days to come, I was also amazed at myself that I don't do this more often.  For someone who hates grocery shopping and cooking as much as I do, wouldn't it just make sense to get it all over and done with? 

Really, I amaze myself.
(said while shaking my head at myself)

Where I Am From

I am from boom boxes, Cabbage Patch Kids, and peanut butter and bacon sandwiches.

I am from the blue house, the big yard, the woodsy smell of the fire burning in the fire place to keep us warm.

I am from the brook, the wildlife, the trails that lead you through the woods.

I am from fisherman and hunters, from Big Nanny and Pop Pop, from Mom and Dad.

I am from cold wet washcloths to the face to get you out of bed and Saturday morning chores.

From don't take any wooden nickels and try your best.

I am from perfect attendance in Sunday School.  From flagging faith and uncertainty. 

I am from a little bit of everywhere, lasagna and apple pie.

From the hard workers, the perseveres, past and present, from angels that look down upon me.

I am from the attic heirlooms, the stories and memories, the laughter and tears, and the scrapbooks that were lovingly assembled. 



For more Writer's Workshop visit Mama Kat

Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie Giveaway

Last week was a rough week.  I felt like I was at battle with the week and the week won.  I was grateful to find myself on Friday afternoon with no place to be yet I was overwhelmed at the mess that had become my house.  I decided I needed a little pick me up.  After tripping over the box that My Blog Spark had sent me for the millionth time, I knew my pick me up was inside.  I decided to put the claim of homemade cookies in 20 minutes to a test and surprise the kids when they got home from school.

Not only did I have delicious cookies in 20 minutes (they were so super easy to mix up!) , I used the time they were in the oven to clean my kitchen counters off and do the breakfast dishes that were still lying about.  I also felt like a good mom knowing that my kids would love the treat that awaited them. Now how is that for a pick me up!

Since I'd like to start off this week on the right foot, Betty Crocker is providing all of you with with a 75 cent coupon for a Molasses Cookie mix pouch.  In addition, one lucky reader is going to receive a prize pack! Also, be sure to check out the Betty Crocker website for great recipes.

One lucky reader will win the prize pack  pictured.  It contains:

• One Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mix  pouch
•  a Betty Crocker apron
• non-stick baking pan
•  a mixing spoon

Entering is easy! 

Simply tell me your favorite occasion to bake cookies. 

Please be sure to leave your email address for easy contact of the winner.

For additional entries:

• Follow my blog on GFC
• subscribe via email to Life in the BAT Cave
• Follow me on twitter & tweet this giveaway

This contest will be open until Friday, September 23.  Winner will be chosen via random number generator.  Winner will be notified by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.  Prize pack will be shipped out by sponsoring company and complete shipping information will have to be provided.  Sorry to all my international friends, only US addresses are eligible to win. 

Disclosure:  The product, information and prize pack has been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark



CONGRATULATIONS TO CHERYL F.  WHO HAS BEEN CONTACTED VIA EMAIL

Listen to Your Kids

In our house we have a "rule" that the kids need to be involved in some sort of physical activity.  This is for a variety of reasons such as keeping healthy by being active, learning how to work with others in a class or team setting, getting them away from the television and hopefully, along the way, building a little bit of self esteem.  However, I've also talked about the insanity of our schedule and how easy it is to over schedule our kids.  I've even had a guest post on the topic.   Sometimes making the decisions on what to keep and what to ditch are really hard.

A few weeks ago it was time to register my daughter for her dance classes.  I told her we needed to discuss what classes she wanted to take, there are 5 she is eligible for this year.  I was a bit taken aback by the conversation that followed.  Keep in mind, my daughter is 7 and in second grade this year. 

Me:  There are 5 classes you can take this year and if it was up to me I'd let you take all of them.  However, Daddy thinks that is a little nuts.

Baby Girl:  I think that is nuts too. 

Me:  Really?  I really thought you'd want to take them. 

Baby Girl:  Nope.  It's too much.

Me:  What are you going to give up?

Baby Girl:  Jazz and Hip Hop.  I just want to do Ballet this year. 

Me:  (trying not to react too much)  REALLY?  I thought you LOVED jazz.  Why do you want to give it up?

Baby Girl:  I don't know.  I just do.

Me:  Are you sure?  Why didn't you tell me this earlier?  I could have changed your CCD day.

Baby Girl:  I didn't know that. 

Me:  I don't understand.  Why don't you want to take those classes?  Don't you like them?  Is it the teacher?  Is it because of that girl in the class?  I thought you liked them!

Baby Girl:  Shrugged her shoulders.

Me:  There has to be a reason.  Are you sure it isn't something that happened?

Baby Girl:  Well, if I don't go to those classes, will I get to just hang out after school?

Me:  I don't know.  Is there something else you wanted to do?  Soccer?  Gymnastics?  Are you sure nothing happened in class I don't know about? 

Baby Girl:  I just don't want to take them this year.

Me:  You're sure?  Absolutely sure?  There has to be a reason.

Baby Girl:  Maybe it's just too much. 

Me:  Oh.  OK.  (although I was still thinking, if she changes her mind next year, she may not be able to stay at he same level, she may regret her decision mid year and we won't be able to put her in class because recital costumes were already ordered, etc, etc.)

I swear to you.  This is the conversation I had with my 7 year old.  Over the following weeks I continued to ask her if she changed her mind.  We started classes this week.  I took her to her ballet class on Monday and she tried a new lyrical class directly after ballet and loved it.  I asked the owner if she minded if I brought her to the other classes so she could try them again before making up her mind.  Then Tuesday it FINALLY hit me.  Why am I trying to push her into more classes?  There are a variety of reasons NOT to.  It will save me money, I can send all my kids to CCD on the same day this year, giving us a free afternoon one day after school this year, and my daughter doesn't want to do it.

 I finally stepped back and realized it isn't about me.  She keeps telling me she doesn't want to do it. 

Wednesday rolled around, and I gave her one last chance to go try her jazz and hip hop classes.  We were sitting at the kitchen table after school and I casually asked her if she wanted to go check out the classes.  When she said no, I said, no problem.

Sometimes if we just stop and listen to our kids, they really do know what is best and they can teach us a lot.

Mat Kearney Young Love (review)

I have to admit, Mat Kearny hadn't hit my radar until I was offered a chance to review his album.  But after listening to his new album Young Love, I'm hooked.  I will definately be searching out his previous albums.  He is a master of lyrics and I love the fact that he is not overpowered by the music and you can actually hear HIM and his beautiful words. 

This album is catchy and you will find yourself singing and bouncing along.  I dare you to sit still while listening to it!  Hey Mama is very upbeat and I find myself drawn to it, check it out by clicking on the widget above! While I love Hey Mama, I found my favorite tracks are Ships in the Night and Rochester.  Rochester, the story of his dad, is haunting and is done so beautifully. 

There is truly not a bad track on this album.  How often can  you say that?  For all things Mat Kearny, be sure to check out his site.  Go forth and find yourself some Mat Kearny to listen to. 


Disclosure:  I was provided a digital download of Mat Kearny's album, Young Love from One2One Network for the purpose of this review.

Wordless Wednesday: Back To School

When it comes to going back to school, there are 3 different views in our house:

The kid who doesn't want there to be 180 days of "not summer"

The kid who would rather be home but is looking forward to some things like seeing his friends every day

And the kid who came out of school crying on the last day and has been counting down the days to go back.  There is nothing about school she doesn't like.

Jump for Joy

What is all the jumping for you ask? 

Today is the first day of school and mom's everywhere are dancing in the streets. 

How does this mommy get her 'me' time?

A mommy getaway...

Sounds blissful.

The words conjure up images of smiling, laughing, relaxing women. They are unencumbered. No waist-high whiners smearing PB&J on their skirts in sight. No one's butt to wipe but their own.

Sometimes it's just for a few hours of drinks with girlfriends or a mani/pedi date with a bestie, but on occasion mommy might get lucky. She might get together with buddies for an overnight at a local spa-resort or do a couple of days camping or maybe spend an obliterated weekend in Vegas. In any event, the visual of mommy getting time to herself usually involves something to recharge, relax and rejuvenate.

Not this mommy.

For this mommy, "me" time = running in the dark.

My kids are finally in bed. Quiet. The last drink of water has been drunk. And the last 'gotta pee' has been peed. The nightlights are on. This mommy suits up and heads out.

Some nights it might be cycling. Some nights it might be both. But running is my favorite.

I would rather run than go out for drinks or visit the nail salon or see a movie.

This probably stems from 8 years of living with chronic pain that has been nearly resolved for the last year. The mere fact that I can run again sometimes moves me to tears. My running has led to another "me" time... my blog. Which has, in turn, led to a mommy getaway!

This mommy's getaway involves running. At night. In the morning. In the afternoon. On a mountain. In the city. In the country. On a beach. And sleeping (or not sleeping) in a van filled with 5 other sweaty, smelly runner-bloggers. A 29-hour odyssey of weirdness and pain and elation and accomplishment that is called Hood to Coast Relay.

How desperate must one be to consider this a mommy getaway?

Well, I do get to go on a plane without my kids (haven't done that in 12 years), and I get to sleep in a hotel! There will be at least one only-adults-at-my-table meal in a restaurant. I will probably not be changing any diapers; there will be no one suckling on my body; and I will be wiping no one's butt but my own. And even though one or two of my teammates might smear PB&J on me and there might be whining in the van, they will all apologize unprompted, we can joke about it and it will actually stop. Who can say that about their kids?

I'm telling you...it's going to be Paradise!


XLMIC blogs at Taking It On. Her 6 stepchildren are now grown, but her 4 little kids keep her busy and hold her "me" time at a premium. Their clingy, neediness makes any attempt at mommy getaways a freaking nightmare. They will probably make her pay for it dearly when she returns from this one that WILL happen!