Don’t drink the water…

June 5, 2013 No comments

I know 10 women who are due between Sept and Dec of this year.  Holy shit!! Don’t drink the water.  I’m trying to keep my distance from them to make sure they don’t rub off on me.  Everyone knows pregnancy is contagious.  And most people reading this know if DJ or I even think about sex, we usually get pregnant.

The craziest thing is a lot {like the majority} of them have a {all girls which is equally weird} teenager.  WHAT!!  You are in the home stretch.  Why would you wanna go back to Baby all over again?? It kind of reminds me of Chutes & Ladders.  You know that one Chute right before the end? Yeah that one should be named PREGNANCY!!   Plus they are on the older side too.  One *SAM* is turning 37 in November, has a 15 year old, and baby is due 9/14.  Then 2 other ones are mid 30′s and both have a 13-15 year old daughter. It’s crazy I tell ya.

I am soo GLAD to be done with babies and diapers and breast/bottle feeding.  We are counting down to Fall 2014 because Blake will be back in public school and Mason will start kinder, so we will have NO children home during the day!!! WHAT THE HELL will we do with ourselves?? I am so excited!!!  LOL  we may stay in bed all day on Monday’s and Tuesday’s {when the shop is closed} but then we would probably end up sliding down THAT chute.  ;)

I will be 45, when Mason graduates from high school.  Sounds like the perfect time to start traveling and seeing the world!! What are your big plans for when all your kids are in school and for when all your kids are grown??

The Soundtrack to my Life

May 26, 2013 1 comment

So every, Memorial Day, our local radio station plays throw back music all weekend long.  Which is awesome but some of it I question if it is really a throw back.  LOL  Emily who owns the store next to our shop said that if we still remember the words, then it wasn’t a throw back.

It makes me think about how a certain song can bring you back to an event like nothing else can.  I’ll hear some songs and remember my first time going to a 16 and up club in San Diego called Ice house.   We used to have so much fun dancing all night there!!  Or when ever I hear “Young, Wild, and Free” all I can think about is the Girls trip to Vegas to celebrate my 30th Birthday!!!

DJ and I have  “our song” which is “I wanna Know” by Joe.  Whenever I hear it {which isn’t often} I immediately think AWWWW!!!!  Or our unofficial song “Make Me better” by Fabolous which came out like 6 years ago.

Whenever I hear “Jammin” by Bob Marley, I am taken straight back to 3rd grade!!  Our teacher would lead us in aerobics once a week as PE and that was one of the songs she played.  EVERY time I hear it, I try so hard to remember the moves cause I want to  aerobercise!!!

Music is such a huge part of my life that I can’t imagine not having a life playlist.  For my 30th Birthday my BFF burned me like 6 CD’s of all the hit songs from my ENTIRE life!! I love to throw in a specific decade and just remember life the way it was then!!

And there are songs that you just don’t want to hear anymore. For example in 7th grade, me and a my really good friend, Elizabeth, talked about if we died, we wanted Mariah Carey’s song “One Sweet Day” played at our funeral. {crazy morbid girls..  :/ }  Well junior year of high school, we re-connected after not seeing each other for a couple years and made plans to hang out.  But then school started and I worked full time and then in Jan of 1999, she was in a car accident and died just before her 17th birthday.  I was at SD BFF’s house and her sister was on the computer reading the news and showed us a picture of this totally destroyed car.  I had this feeling that I knew who was in the car so when she said it was Elizabeth Horn I freaked out.  So every time I hear that song I think of her and cry.  I can’t believe all the things she never got to do.  She never went to Prom, never had sex, never got married, never had kids…

What are some songs that take you back in time?  Which ones bring back great memories and what songs do you not want to hear ever again?

The Difference a day makes..

May 25, 2013 No comments

So yesterday I may have been a little hormonal and on my period but I think it is still an accurate post.  The difference is most days, I am upbeat enough to not let it bother me.

So for the past couple of weeks, my husband has been helping a friend of his with his lawn care business.  So that leaves me to run the shop by myself.  Plus I have to get the kids to and from school, and have Mason at the shop with me all day.  {Luckily my Dad got here Friday and school’s out so I don’t have to do that any more}. DJ had to work all day yesterday and when he got home he brought me a rose!!!!!!!!

rose

I sent a picture of it to SD BFF and asked her if she thought someone had given him a heads up or if he was just that good.  LOL  I think he just did it himself!! LOVE HIM!!!!

Midlife crisis at 31??

May 24, 2013 Comments: 2

First off, I need a new name for it because I plan on living much longer than 62… but besides that.  I have felt blah the last few months and I’m not sure what the problem is..

<<<<<<<<I want something>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I want a car that isn’t a van with 3 car seats in it.
I want to know what I want to be when I grow up.
I want to go on a date that I don’t have to plan, or arrange a babysitter for, or check dinner reservations and show times.
I want friends that drop everything for me and come running when I need them.
I want friends that don’t live across the country.
I want to be able to sleep ALL the way through a night without being woken up at 3 am by a child, or dog, or husband.
I want to write the great American novel but then look at my blank blog post page and want to bang my head on the wall.
I want to sleep in a bed by myself.
I want Facebook to leave me the hell alone so I can actually accomplish things instead of trolling there all day.
I want flowers or a note for NO REASON except to say I love you.
I want to travel.
I want to not have to worry about money.
I want a delicious and healthy dinner that I didn’t have to cook.
I want a day to go by where Mason doesn’t walk out of the bathroom naked and ask if he wiped all the poop off his butt.
I want to change the world but it seems like it takes too much time and work.
I want more time and energy and patience.

<<<<<<<<But I don’t think any of those things are the SOMETHING I am looking for>>>>>

I guess Glennon at Momastery is right when she says life is hard not because you’re doing it wrong but because it is just hard.

And I know that I have tons of reason to be thankful for the fact that I was able to get pregnant and deliver 5 healthy kids {as seen by the van of car seats, not sleeping, and poop checks.}

And I should be grateful that I know my Hubby loves me even though he doesn’t buy me flowers or makes me plan our dates.  And I am grateful,  which is why it is so much worse that I want SOMETHING.  Do I have any right wanting and looking for something when I am so blessed with healthy kids, and a loving Husband, I have a job and while it is sometimes inconsistent  and I worry about money, we always manage to get by.

One of my fave musicals is Into the Woods, which is a mash up of different fairy tales and they all head into the woods to get their wish and then after they realize that wasn’t what they expected.  The part I relate to most {lately} is when Cinderella is talking to the Baker’s wife about the ball and dancing with the prince.  The Wife is so excited and Cinderella is not.  She sings a line that  goes ” How do you know what you want until you get what you want and you see if you like it?”

I think that is the problem with midlife crises, you think you need a flashy sports car and a young girlfriend {why do we always hear about men having the crises and never women? Is it because women just keep putting up with all the shit even when they want to run away?} and then after you realize that you didn’t want those at all.

Later the Baker’s wife sings about how it is always or and never and.  I want AND.  I feel like I have to pick either “Mom” or “me”.  I want to be both.  I want kids and a career.  I want a Husband and friends. Why do I have to choose?  I want my cake and  to eat it too.  Is this unreasonable? Am I just wanting too much?

New day…New name

May 2, 2013 Comments: 2

When I had to essentially re make my blog, I was thinking about maybe giving it a name.  From 2009-New Years 2012, my blog was You Have How Many Kids??? then for the New Year 2012, I decided to change it to The Allison Show.  Then a week ago I saw on FB, a graphic designer posted a project she was working on called Lavender and Lemon {because it was purple and yellow} and I LOVED the phrase.  I felt like it was a perfect name for my blog.  Then I decide to come up with a tagline that explains the name a little better… Our wishes for life and the sometimes sour reality.  I feel that sums up most of my posts.  My hopes and dreams for the future and then the reality of those dreams.   ♥ enjoy……

Public Service Announcement…

April 25, 2013 No comments

You might wonder why the post previous to this is from July 2012…. That would be because I don’t backup my blog.  There I said it.  I have heard for 4+ years about the importance of backing up your blog.Blah Blah Blah.  And then back in Feb, I had some issues so I called GoDaddy and they said they needed to delete my blog.  Ok fine go ahead.. But then after the fact I realized that I had no posts backed up since I had switched to wordpress from blogger in July.  Oops.  But that’s ok.  So BACK UP YOUR BLOG!!!  But I imported my blogger posts and I have a redirection set up so on with the show!!

Foodie Friday: Garlic Herb Bread

July 6, 2012 1 comment

I love really good, artisian bread {Hello, Carbs!} which is sometimes hard to find in Sticks, TN.  So when I really, really need bread here is my go to recipe.  I adapted it and made some changes from a family recipe.

All you need to make this recipe is a stand mixer {or a hand mixer and a seriously buff arm} and your oven. 

Ingredients:
5 cloves of garlic
2 cups water
1 oz rapid rise yeast
2 tablespoons butter {room temp}
4 teaspoons oregano
4 teaspoons basil
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1/8 cup of white granulated sugar
1 egg white {room temp}
6 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon olive oil {to oil the bowl the dough rests in}

Directions:
Saute 5 cloves of garlic in a little olive oil until they are soft and pale tan – not brown.  DJ has a hard time with this step as he likes brown garlic. Set aside to cool.  In stand mixer, dump 2 cups lukewarm water and 1 oz {4 little packets} of rapid rise instant yeast. Let that sit til the yeast is dissolved and foamy, about 3-4 minutes.  Sometimes I need to stir it to mix in some clumps. Then

How easy is that? A little sauteing, some measuring, and dumping everything in a stand mixer.

SUPER important.  Only turn the mixer on 1!!  Unless you and the kitchen want to wear flour, herbs, and yeasty water.

See you are doing awesome!!  Who knew making bread could be so easy!! I didn’t until I tried this recipe. Now I feel trully domesticated. ;)

Don’t mind my super gross looking towel.  I swear it was clean.  I would also like to point out I baked this at work which is why all the pictures are in horrible lighting and on metal surfaces.  LOL  Now you have an hour to do whatever you wish.  Might I suggest a bubble bath?  Perhaps a good book and a glass of wine or 2?

My fave part!!  Beating the dough!!  Followed by my least fave part: rolling out the dough.  You can do a couple of different things at this point.  Split dough into 3 loaves and make small round loves for you and friends. Or roll flat {about 1/2 thick} and cut into rectangles {DJ cna get 12 out of the dough}.  Then bake in 2 batches in the over and cut and make sadwiches out of each piece. Thats what we do at the shop to make our paninis.    Today I went with a giant round loaf and a mini round loaf. Then the BEST part!!  Eat it!  If do to some strange miracle you have any left after 3-4 days and it is stale, chop it up and throw it in a pan with some butter to make the best croutons ever!!   Here is my baby loaf. After I sliced some off to make sure it was edible. ;)

Simpli Stamped Review/Giveaway

July 5, 2012 Comments: 15

I love getting to work with other Moms and their businesses.  I know how hard it is to work with kids so I try to support Mom owned busniesses whenever I can.  I also LOVE jewelry so if you are like me then this post is perfect!! 

Amber is a 30 something mom of two of the best kids ever and owner of Simpli Stamped! In addition to making jewelry she is an avid photographer and blogger. She loves all things beautiful and strives to find joy wherever she goes. 

You can find Amber at:
Simpli Stamped
Facebook
Simpli Stamped Blog

When she gave me the opportunity to review anything in her jewelry shopped I was thrilled!!  After looking at all the pieces, I stumbled upon her Custom Work page!! I decided to combine a couple of designs I had seen into the perfect ncklace for me.  I asked her to stamp a disk with Choose Joy and include a pearl.  Then I had to wait {im}patiently for her to make the necklace and then for USPS to take their sweet time delivering it.  But it was so worth the wait!!

I opened the mailing package and this is what I saw!!

First, I love teal and brown!!  And second I really love business owners who take time with packaging and presentation.  Make such a pretty gift as is!!  Then I opened it.

I love it!!  I love the pale pink pearl and the way it hangs in the ring.  The necklace is the perfect length just about my shirt collar.  {apparently I wear low cut shirts  LOL}

Do you love it? Or do you have something different in mind? You can buy your fave piece and save 10% off with coupon code: ALLISONSHOW {which is good until July 31, 2012}

Well Amber at Simpli Stamped is also offering one lucky reader the piece of their choice {up to $55}!!!  Wanna win??  Go enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 4th of July

July 4, 2012 No comments

I happen to love the 4th of July!!  As our Nation’s birthday, it makes me hopeful for our future!  We decided that we shoudl have some friends over and BBQ!!  My friend Katy brought over her 2 kids and we babysat my friend Michelle’s son cause he is afraid of fireworks.  Katy had some great party ideas for the 4th!

We made red, white & blue punch.  The secret to the punch is to layer the drink with most sugar on bottom, then the one with a little less, and top with the one with the least suagr.  So we used cranberry juice, blue raspberry G2, and diet 7 up.  Fill your container with ice and then add the drinks one at a time.

For the the jello jars.  Make blue raspberry jello according to directions and pour into the canning jars.  Let set about 30 min.  Then make white chocolate instant pudding according to directions and pour that  on top.  Let set up about 30 minutes again.  Then top with raspberry jello and thats it!!  Super easy and super fun!! 

For dinner we had BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, macoroni salad, potato salad, and baked beans.  YUM!!

Roller Derby…

July 3, 2012 No comments

Well I survived my first 2 roller derby practices.  I am crazy sore but that is more from the fact that I don’t and haven’t worked out regularly in like 15 years.  Sunday’s practice was fun.  We learned to fall on one knee and to glide on 1 knee.  We started to lean how to get comfortable on skates.  We did a bunch of side steps which is really hard to do in skates.  We also did TONS of squats which my thighs hate. I learned it is really hard to stand still on skates.  I can skate fine but just standing there my skates want to roll.

At the end of practice we were doing kicks.  Stand on 1 leg and kicking our other leg.  Since I am so wobbly, I was mostly just trying to stand still.  The girl next to me went to kick and her skate she was standing on slid back and she fell to the ground.  She ended up breaking her ankle and needing surgery.  YIKES!!  But that reminded the trainers to tell us to listen to ourselves and our bodies.  If we are sore or need a break take one.  And if we know that we can’t do something, then it’s probably a good idea to attempt it cautiously or try something a step down form that.

Monday’s pratice was hard for a couple reasons
1.) I was sore from Sunday
2.) We did even more squats and planks!
3.) I have no muscles to speak of.

At least I know as I get in better shape practices will get easier!!

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