The Flagg Blogg - 93.3 The Drive - WPBG Peoria

Bloggin' Again

2010-08-27T08:41:00.002-05:00

Whew .... summer is over. The kids are back at school. And now I'm hoping to do a little more bloggin'. For the first time ever, all three of my children are in school full-time. That means, once I leave my job in the morning, I've got hours to myself until they get home. Yeah! :)

But what does this mean for me? Does it mean I now have no excuse when everyone comes home at the end of the day and the laundry is still not folded and put away. (I do NOT enjoy housework AT ALL and will not do it unless I am forced to or am having company). Does it mean I should make a well-balanced meal every night because I now have the time. Nah!

Like many moms in my predicament, I'm searching for the next BIG thing in my life. I want to grow and learn and see what else I can do to challenge myself. I've had this conversation with many of my friends who are experiencing similiar feelings. I'll still be there for the kids/husband when they get home. I will still shuttle the kids from activity to activity and help them with homework. But I also know there's something more for me to do. Is it write a book? Start a website? Volunteer? Go back to school? I'm not sure what it is. I'll let you know when I figure it out.

What I Learned From "The Politeness Challenge"

2010-05-25T09:44:00.003-05:00

My experiment is over. I took on "The Politeness Challenge'' for one week and and here's what I observed and learned :

1) Most people are polite.

2) Some people are rude and there's nothing you can do about it. Ignore it and move on.

3) People are not out to get me, or you. That driver who cut you off is not trying to ruin your day or get in your way or make you angry. Maybe he/she made a mistake or is truly a bad driver. Anger won't help. Let it go.

4) Smile at someone and they'll usually smile back.

5) I am polite most of the time. And while this project didn't change my life, it did make me think about how my attitude, demeanor and mood effects others.

Have a wonderful day!

Day Two : The Politeness Challenge

2010-05-19T10:05:00.002-05:00

Day Two of "The Politeness Challenge" was, well, a little more challenging.

1) The cashier at the grocery store seemed annoyed that I plopped my full-food basket on the conveyor belt instead of emptying it out. I started to feel annoyed that she was annoyed at my innocent mistake. I took a deep breath, put a BIG smile on my face and, instead of saying a simple "hello," I looked her in the eye and asked how her day was going. She gave me a big smile back. She wasn't annoyed, after all. It was all my imagination. (Or she faked it) :)

2) I almost lost it with the customer service rep I was dealing with on the phone. I have an upcoming camping trip planned and was confused about something on my reservation so I called the help line to get it figured out. Immediately she was rude and condescending. Jeez. I just needed a little help, please. She kept insisting the info I needed was on the confirmation sheet, but I was looking right at it and it clearly wasn't. I have to admit I was on the edge, ready to go off, but I talked myself back .. most of the way. I did keep a little edge to my voice and probably could've been a little less reactive. It also could've turned into an ugly confrontation, which it didn't, thanks to "The Politeness Challenge." Oh yeah. At the end of the call I even said "thank you." :)

Today is a new day. We'll see how it goes. How are you doing? I'd love to hear. E-mail me at nancyflagg@933thedrive.com or check us out on Facebook (93.3 The Drive)

The Politeness Challenge : Day One

2010-05-18T08:37:00.002-05:00

For one week, I'm going to be extra nice to everyone I meet even if they're rude or I'm in hurry and annoyed, I'll just put a smile on my face, finish my business with that person and be gone. And hopefully, I'll feel good about my behavior. It's all part of "The Politeness Challenge" that I'm asking everyone to try. Here's how the first day went :

1) I was super nice to the frazzled lady at the library and was rewarded with a slight smile instead of her usual frown.

2) I was empathatic and not impatient with my husband after a BIG accounting problem that wasn't ALL his fault. I felt badly for him so I showed my support for him instead of getting mad about the situation.

3) Instead of losing my temper with my 8-year-old daughter because she was taking FOREVER to get in the car so we could go to an appointment, I held my tongue and waited patiently. Nobody cried. That's all good. :)

How are you doing? I'd love to hear from you. Please share. You can e-mail me at nancyflagg@933thedrive.com.

The Politeness Challenge

2010-05-13T09:52:00.011-05:00

Have you ever been so stressed out that you're rude to the cashier at the grocery store? Or road rage takes over because some guy in a sports car nearly cuts you off? Or you find yourself telling off a telemarketer who calls every night at dinner time? If you've said yes to any of these questions than I have a challenge for you.

It's called "The Politeness Challenge" and comes from an article I recently read in Ladies Home Journal. Author Holly Robinson vowed to spend a week being nice to everyone she met no matter what. This means she had to smile even when others were being rude. She had to show empathy and patience even when she was inconvienced. And she had to apprecate the unappreciated. I loved the article and how it made her feel.

Read the full story and then commit to "The Politeness Challenge." One week. No rants. No road rage. Sweet smiles. Kind words. Let's see what it does for us.

Are you ready? Yes.

Here's the link. Check it out and embark on this life-changing project. Please let me know how it goes. Happy day.

Are You Stuck In A Dead End Job?

2010-05-11T09:36:00.004-05:00

If you're feeling bored and frustrated with your current job, you may want to check out this article titled, "Going Nowhere Fast." Generally, I think we all feel a little of that some of the time but if it's an overwhelming feeling that won't go away, then you may need to make a BIG move. Author Suzy Welch gives sensible, realistic advice that could get you back on track and motivate you to look for new opportunities.

http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Stuck-in-a-Career-Rut-How-to-Get-Ahead-at-Work

Romantic Restaurants in Peoria

2010-04-30T07:19:00.000-05:00

My secret ambition one day is to write a fiction novel. I have high hopes I'll make it happen but until then I'm just trying to write every day. That's what professional writers say you have to do to succeed. So I've started writing online articles for a website. Check out my very first "published" article online. It may even help you find a romantic restaurant in Peoria.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2925758/find_a_romantic_restaurant_in_peoria.html?cat=22

I Should Get Out Of Town More Often.

2010-04-19T10:52:00.000-05:00

For the past several days, I've been on my own, visiting my aunt in Maine and saying a final goodbye to my uncle, who recently passed away. It was a rather short trip but I always get a little apprehensive when I leave Bruce and the kids. What can I say, I'm a worrier. I worry about traveling by plane. I worry about the kids playing outside where cars speed down the street like it's a drag race. We also had to work out logistics as to where the kids would go after-school while Bruce was still at work. I'll also admit that I'm a bit of a control freak so leaving it all behind and letting go of the control can be a problem. Don't get me wrong. I know Bruce, my husband, can take care of everything but it's still a little unnerving.

Well ... let .. me .. tell .. you ....

I SHOULD GET OUT OF TOWN, BY MYSELF, MORE OFTEN.

Bruce kicked it into high gear. On Friday, he took the kids to see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Peoria Civic Center. On Saturday, he drove Lucas to a morning school event, mowed the lawn, then went to a rocket launch for our daughter's Girl Scout Troop. He took the kids to a movie and finished off the night visiting with our neighbors. On Sunday, he planned a hike and picnic with the kids and even rememebered to make sure Lucas finished his water-cycle project for school.

Then, today, I walk into the house and I was AMAZED. I'll admit that I expected clutter, dirty laundry, etc .

Nope.

The kitchen was spotless, laundry was folded on the table, the carpets were vacuumed and our bed was even made. I was astonished. I'm not saying that Bruce doesn't do these things while I'm here but ... well ... ya know ... he doesn't.(By the way, Bruce may not agree with that statement.)

Bruce even told me how much he and the kids missed me. I appreciated the gesture but I don't really believe it. They were too busy with all the fun activities and did just fine without me.

The very best thing on my first day back, so far, is the HUGE hug I got from my six-year-old son Logan when he walked into the house from school. My husband came home too .. just minutes ago. No hug yet from him. He's making himself a sandwich. :)

There's A New Rule In This House .....

2010-02-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

"THERE'S A NEW RULE IN THIS HOUSE," I found myself saying (okay, yelling) last night. " YOUR FATHER AND I WILL MAKE ONE DINNER AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DON'T EAT IT. I'M NOT MAKING THREE DIFFERENT MEALS EVERY NIGHT!!!"

I know I'm not alone when I say it frustrates me to no end when my kids won't eat what I make for dinner. Parents for years have dealt with this dilemma. It's how we react to this annoyance that sets us apart. I could yell and get angry and put them in their rooms OR I could calmly tell them that sometimes we don't get choices in life and we have to live with our decisions. i.e. Not eating now = being hungry at bedtime.

This latest outburst came about after my daughter said she didn't want soup for dinner. Who doesn't like tomato soup? Okay, my 8-year old daughter and six-year old son don't like tomato soup. But I also offered to make chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. It was then, after I pleaded with my daughter to make a decision that I felt foolish. "What was I doing," I said to myself. "This is crazy," I told her. "Soup is what's for dinner. Take it or leave it."

She left it.

As a child, I remember my mother making ONE meal every night. There were never any options. Even when she opened a can of salmon (It's like tuna in a can), mixed it with mayo and slopped a spoonful on my plate I ate it. It wasn't my favorite, although it always came with baked frozen french fries (yum) and peas (gross).

Don't get me wrong, like anyone else, I always had my favorites and looked forward to spaghetti and taco nights. But I don't remember complaining. I just remember eating. My mother might remember differently but for the sake of this story I was a perfect child who always ate what I was supposed to. :)

I realize this little tirade is laced with a bit of anger. But every night, it's a different child .. so I'm laying down the law. In the future, I won't react in an angry manner. I'll just look at whichever beautiful child is scrunching up their face and pushing away their plate and say sweetly, "Sorry. I can't help you. Remember, there's a new rule in this house ... "

A First For Everything ...

2010-02-23T09:30:00.000-06:00

I experienced something for the first time last night. My first car accident. I was taking my six-year old son, Logan, to basketball and driving along Willow Knolls in Peoria. As I crossed the intersection at Allen Road someone in a BIG SUV turned into my little Honda Civic. It was a young kid, maybe he was 16 or 17. The SUV smashed into the side of the car, shattering the driver's side window. Fortunately, we were not injured. My six-year old son was in the back playing with a video game and didn't see it coming. I did, though, and that was one of the scariest moments.

I consider myself to be a defensive driver, always checking intersections to make sure cars are stopped at the red lights. I saw the guy sitting there waiting to turn. Then , as I made my way through the intersection, he just turned and I knew he was going to hit me and I knew I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't stop it from happening and that was frightening. The first thing that went through my mind was "Oh my God, I don't know what's going to happen here. Oh my God, Logan could get hurt. Oh my God, I could be really hurt" The kid wasn't going very fast because he was turning but "what if?" Of course, all the "what ifs" started going through my head later on when I returned home safely. I saw Logan's little blue blanket on my bed and I started to tear up, thinking about how the night could've gone had this guy been going faster. I know you can't live like that but I couldn't help it. Anyway, it was a frightening experience.

I could go on about how this made me realize I need to appreciate every moment I have with the people I love, but I already do that. Have a safe day!

Less ... Is More in 2010

2010-01-14T09:33:00.000-06:00

I have too much stuff.

Too many clothes are in my closet (I haven't worn many of them in a year). Too many pairs of workout shoes sit on the rack (My husband tries to throw them out when I'm not looking). Too many papers clutter my desk at home. (I can't even sit down and work.) Too many small, plastic toys fill our closets and cover our basement floor. (You know what I'm talking about.)

Clutter will be the end of me.

I've got so much crap I'm at the point where it's stressing me out .. everyday.

And I know I'm not alone. Many of you reading this are saying to yourselves, "Argh .. it's so frustrating." Nearly everyone, at some point in their lives, has this problem. The question is how can we get rid of all the stuff.

I do try. Everyday I go into my office and throw away papers, move things around, and put items in drawers that are already full. I preach to the children that every one of their belongings should have a "home." I invest in advice that tells me to declutter one room at a time for five minutes. I watch expert organizer Peter Walsh on Oprah so he can advise me to get rid of an old item every time I buy a new one. I even got on flylady.com. I especially like this one. She told me to take a garbage bag, walk through the house and throw away 27 items. I don't know where the number 27 came from but I'm willing to try. After I do that, I'm supposed to take another bag and fill it with 27 items I want to donate.

Okay.

I'll do that today.

I'm also making other strides. I'm not renewing any of my magazine subsciptions. I, at one point, was getting 10 magazines a month (yeah, it got a little out of hand). I don't have time to read them all right away so they just sit there collecting dust. i.e. LOTS OF CLUTTER!

It's a start. So I'm hoping that once I create order in my office and in my home than I can create more order in my life. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Reaching Milestones ...

2009-12-07T05:25:00.000-06:00

I love being a mom but I'm torn over how fast my three children are growing up. They're 9, 7 and 6 and, as the saying goes, time is flying by. Before my eyes, they are creating their own unique personalities and becoming more independent. Lucas is my peacemaker/pleaser while Lauren, my artist, is always ready to stir things up. Logan, my youngest, is a bit shy and loves to play any and all sports. They still need me, of course, but not as much as they used to, which is good and bad.

I miss the days when they were babies and would snuggle up and fall asleep on my chest. I fondly remember the way they wobbled across the room with their first steps as they made their way from mommy to daddy. And I still cherish some of their first words. One of my favorites is when Lucas, my oldest, would say "ya ya" as his way of saying thank you.

While I do sometimes wish for those sweeter, innocent days, I've also learned to embrace new milestones in our family. Just recently, my two oldest children reached a new one. And when I say reached, I mean it, literally. They can now reach the lower tiers of our upper kitchen cabinets which is where the plates, bowls and cups are stored. And so, there is our milestone.

Lucas and Lauren have now been granted the tedious job of unloading the dishwasher. Ahhhh. Let's me take a moment right now to celebrate. Ahhhh. I don't know if you realize how happy this makes me. I know it only takes 3-5 minutes but, as a child, it was my job and it was never-ending, just as it is today. I grew to despise it and I still do. So I'm celebrating the fact that it's NOT my job anymore.

Ahhh (By the way, I'm smiling) :)

And now, I wait for the inevitable .. for my youngest child to grow big enough to also share the job.

What comes to mind is the list of other jobs they can start taking over ... folding laundry .. sweeping the kitchen floor. The list will eventually grow endless. It's a fact, I realize, that will make me happy and sad.

Have a great day!

Post Oprah ... Holidays

2009-11-24T04:58:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've blogged, but can you blame me? I've been very busy with my Oprah visit and appearance on her show. :) What an exciting month it's been. In case you missed it, a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to score tickets to sit in Oprah's audience. Mo'Nique, who starred in the new movie "Precious," and Anderson Cooper from CNN were the guests. The guests/topics were okay. Oprah, though, was great! She talked to the audience and was very gracious, thanking us for making special arrangements to come see the show. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. I didn't get on TV or anything .. on that visit. You could see the back of my head in the audience. Oh yeah, and we had great seats. I went with three of my friends and we were seated in the fourth row. Then, last Thursday, I WAS on the Oprah show. A little over a month ago I was shopping at Woodfield mall with those same friends when an Oprah show producer asked if she could ask us some questions, on camera, about men's fashions. My very short bit of interview aired last Thursday. It was VERY exciting. Really .. how many people can say they were on the Oprah Winfrey Show? I can. :)

Now that I've settled into my national celebrity .. hee hee .. it's time to think about the holidays. Our big dilemma this year is whether we want to wake up on Christmas morning at our house(which we never do) or travel to my parent's house. Initially, we decided to begin our own family tradition by staying home, but then my 10-year old son said he wanted to wake up at Nana and Poppy's house because he wanted to be near all of his family, including his cousins. Aww. I was touched that he understands how important it is to spend special moments with family. Then again, I was looking forward to NOT having to pack up the van and the car topper with presents. It's still under consideration. First, we have to get through Thanksgiving. :)

Have a great holiday.

The Oprah Story - Part Two

2009-10-22T07:06:00.000-05:00

Have I kept you waiting long enough? I know. That really wasn't fair. But I rarely get a chance to be dramatic and suspensful so I had to play it up. Okay here's the rest of the Oprah story :

On Tuesday, my friend Gretchen called to tell me the "The Oprah Show" called her regarding her weekend interview. (We'd both been interviewed by an Oprah show producer about what drives us crazy about men's fashions.) Gretchen specifically talked about how she really dislikes it when men don't properly groom (manscape) themselves.

It so happens that during the interview she mentioned that her husband (who is super nice) is kind of a hairy guy. So, when producers called on Tuesday, they asked Gretchen to send pictures of her hairy husband. I laughed and laughed. And then I asked if she was going to do it. At that point, she hadn't talked to her husband and didn't know if he was going to agree. She also had reservations about putting her husband on the spot and didn't know if it was a good idea, either. Since then, he's come around but has asked her not to send one specific picture she found (I guess it's pretty bad).

I'm still not sure if she's going to do it. What they want to do is use her voice and show pictures of her husband.

I also haven't lost hope .. I could still make the cut. We'll see. I'll keep you posted.

My Aha" Moment

2009-10-20T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm home sick today so I finally have time to tell you about my exciting story from this past weekend. I'm calling it my "Aha" moment (in a tongue-and-cheek kind-of-way)and you'll know why in a moment.

You recognize the phrase, right? Oprah Winfrey uses it all the time on her talk show and in her magazine when she's talking about a defining moment in her life in which she gains a new understanding of her purpose and goals.

So my "Aha" moment came this past weekend when I was walking through Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois. A friend and I were approached by a woman who said she was from "The Ober Show" and asked if she could ask us some questions on-camera about what drives us crazy about men's fashions. It was then I noticed the camera crew behind her. I asked her again, "What show are you from?" She said, "The Oprah Winfrey Show." I had obviously misunderstood her the first time. It was at that point that I had my "Aha" moment. My purpose and goal, at this point in time, was to get my mug on national TV. THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW!! Yeah!!

So my friend Gretchen and I stood side-by-side and answered questions about what drives us crazy about our husband's fashion sense. I think the term is "We threw our husbands under the bus" so we could get on Oprah. Yep, during the interview, I ripped on my husband's favorite fishing hat and all his hole-y TV-shirts. Gretchen talked about how it drives her crazy when men didn't properly groom (manscape) themselves. (Her hubby has a lot of hair.) Sorry, Mark. :)

Because I felt a little guilty about my comments, I immediately called my husband after the interview and told him what I had done. He told me "That's okay, honey." What a great husband!!!

Anyway, Gretchen and I thought we gave pretty witty and smart comments so we were thinking we'd make the cut. :) If we did make it on the show, it would just be a quick sound bite, but still ... it's national TV.

Then, yesterday, Gretchen calls me to tell me "The Oprah Show" called. I think I screamed a happy scream. "What did they say?" I asked.

And I'll tell you about that tomorrow ....

Halloween Decorations? Not at the Flagg house.

2009-10-14T07:26:00.000-05:00

I'm depriving my children. Simply because I'm lazy. We're two weeks away from Halloween and not one decoration is up at my house. I keep telling myself that TODAY will be the day that I trudge down to the basement and search through the tubs of crap to get out the few decorations that I've got, including the HUGE Homer Simpson Dracula blow-up thingie. (Believe it or not, a neighbor gave us Homer.)

We don't even have a pumpkin. My kids don't seem to mind and haven't really asked but I feel like it's my job as mom to decorate for each "holiday."

So I make this promise .. TODAY you'll see decorations on my door and jack-o-lanterns in my window and maybe this weekend we'll even get those pumpkins.

A Taste Test : The Best Ice Cream Sandwiches

2009-09-24T18:20:00.000-05:00

If you know me at all, then you know I am a little obsessed with food. I LOVE food! I love to eat it. I love to hear about it. I love to talk about it. I love to read about it. I love to watch it being cooked on the Food Network. I love to rip out new recipes. I LOVE food! So with that said, I want to tell you about a taste test I came across identifying the BEST ICE CREAM SANDWICHES.

I have fond memories of ice cream sandwiches. (Okay, I'll admit, that statement is a little weird.) As a child, my mom always gave me a quarter to buy an ice cream sandwich at school lunch. I remember one day I was standing in line, waiting with anticipation to buy my ice cream sandwich when suddenly my quarter slipped from my hands and rolled away, under a table, into a mass of feet. It was gone and I was so upset at the idea that I wouldn't get my ice cream sandwich that day that I started to cry. Not sob. My eyes began to water. I'm not sure who came to my rescue, probably a lunch lady. But someone saw how upset I was and gave me another quarter. I've always rememembered that moment. I don't know why. Maybe I never realized how much I loved ice cream sandwiches. :)

Anyway, I can across this taste test by Epicurious.com last month. Editors tasted 16 kinds of ice cream sandwiches. Here are their top top picks :

1) Turkey Hill Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Sandwich ($3.99 for six)
2) Nestle Super Sandwich ($2.50 per bar)
3) Julie's Organic
4) So Delicious
5) Good Humor
6) Carvel
7) Blue Bunny (I LOVE THESE, MOSTLY BECAUSE OF THE CRISP COOKIE)
8) Horizon
9) Skinny Cow
10) Weight Watchers

Mmmmmm .. who's in the moood for a little treat? I am!

Enjoy!

Ten Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You

2009-09-15T09:17:00.000-05:00

Over the past year or so, I've heard rumblings around my neighborhood that a few houses have been broken into. It's kept me on alert. In fact, just this week, I saw someone riding around on a bicycle at 4:30 am. I understand that some people get up early to exercise but I wasn't getting that vibe so I rode around the neighborhood to see if anything suspicious was going on.

Just recently, our homeowners association also created a "Neighborhood Watch." It's not a bad idea considering the break-ins. My interest was peaked even more when I came across an article in a recent "Reader's Digest" magazine. The article is titled " Thirteen Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You."

I found the information helpful so I thought I'd pass it along. Here are the top 10.

1) Of course I look familiar : I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new fridge.

2) Thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week, While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3) I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.

4) You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

5) Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up outside to see if anyone is home.

6) I almost never go into the kids' rooms.

7) I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

8) Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I check dresser srawers, the bedside table and the medicine cabinet.

9) A loud tv or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system.

There's more to this story. Reader's Digest has outlined 8 more things your burglar won't tell you. Check it out ...

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/article-8-more-things-a-burglar-wont-tell-you/article156681.html

Why Winning The Lottery Can Be The Worst Thing To Happen To You

2009-09-01T05:59:00.000-05:00

Okay, I don't really believe that winning the lottery would be the worst thing to happen to me. In fact, I think it would be great!! I play every Tuesday and Friday and have even organized a "Lottery Club" with my friends and family. I figure if I'm going to win, it would be more fun to hit it big with others, especially those willing and able to go on thrilling, exotic and expensive vacations.

So when I came across this article by an author named Myriam Bloomberg, I read through and then dismissed all 10 reasons why winning the lottery can be a very bad windfall.

1) Your life will get complicated and not in a good way.
2) Friends, long-lost relatives and charities will circle their wagons.
3) All of your relationships will change.
4) Mansions and six figure incomes are nice but upkeep is hell. I'll take the chance
5) You become a target for lawsuits. I'll get a lawyer.
6) Rounds of golf get old quickly. Then take up tennis. :)
7) You'll wonder if people like you just for your money.
8) Taxes. Again .. okay by me.
9) You'll probably get divorced.
10) You'll probably go bankrupt. What???!!!

Some of these things may happen, but again, I think I"ll take my chances. I've got my tickets for tonight's Mega Millions drawing. Do you? Remember .. you can't win if you don't play. (And no the Illinois Lottery did not pay me to say that.)

Back-To-School Shopping - Best Deals

2009-08-17T10:44:00.000-05:00

You will hear a chorus of cheers (from the parents) and jeers (from the kids) this week as classes get underway. As always, there's lots to do before the kids get on the bus. Let me get my checklist:

Update immunizations ... check.
Buy school supplies ... check.
Make sure all shoes fit ... check.
Buy clothes .... nope.

I don't enjoy shopping for myself let alone three children who complain every time I tell them we have to go to Target. But it's usually necessary because the kids have either grown out of most of their shirts and shorts or everything looks a little ratty. So here I am, the day before school starts, gearing up for a few hours of shopping.

Usually, I examine all the local department store circulars to see where I can find the best deals and hit those places first. This year, though, I'm changing tactics. I've learned the "best deals" don't always wear well. You know what I'm talking about. Shirts that fade too quickly. Pants that shrink too much. The biggest problem is finding boys' jeans that won't end up with holes in the knees.

So you can imagine how happy I was to have read a recent article in Good Housekeeping. It was titled "Bargain Clothes That Last."

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests products for their durability and this particular article focused on jeans and tees.

Great! That's just what we wear.

So here are the bargain clothes that last:

Boys jeans : Levi's 550 relaxed fit jeans for boys ($26) made of extremely strong denim and aced GHRI's tests (worth the bigger price tag). Basic Edition Boys' Jeans ($10) from K-Mart finished second. GHRI says to skip the boy's faded bootcut jeans ($19.50) at Old Navy.

Boys Tees : JcPenney's Arizona T-shirt ($9.50 - $10.50)is the winner among the boys tees. GHRI did says it shrank a bit so consider sizing up. GHRI says pass on the Basic Edition T-shirts for boys and girls at K-Mart.

Girl's Jeans : Girlfriend Bootcut jeans ($19.50) at Old Navy are sturdy and look great after loads of laundering. Basic Editions Flare Jeans ($13) from K-Mart are the best of the seven girls' pairs tested. GHRI said they're tough, well-made jeans that won't fade but may shrink a bit. Slim Stretch Girl's Flare Jeans at Walmart cost less than $10 each, and GHRI said the girl's pair performed better than the Levi's that cost two and a half times more. GHRI says to skip the Mossimo Supply Girl's Distressed Jeans at Target.

Girl's Shirts : JCPenney's Arizona Polo ($20) came in second for girls tops. GHRI said the shirts have good fabric strength and are true to size but did fade a touch after five washes. Lacoste girl's striped polo finished first but at a price of $55 each that's way out of our price range. As for tees, GHRI said Faded Glory boys' and girls' t-shirts from Walmart are priced just right for stocking up although look for a bit of shrinkage. GHRI says to skip the Arizona t-shirts for girls because they shrink and edge stitchng may unravel.

Happy Shopping!

The Best Day To Ask For A Raise

2009-08-13T07:15:00.000-05:00

If you're thinking about walking into your boss's office to ask for a raise .. hold on. You want to do this right and I have some important info that might help. According to some psychiatrists, there's a good and bad time to ask for a pay raise. They say your boss has a weekly cycle of moods and you want to make sure you pick the right time.

Take Monday to ask for a vacation. Your boss just enjoyed his or her weekend and will be in a better mood and will be more willing to grant you some time off.

Tuesday is the day for bad news. Break it gently. This gives your boss the rest of the week to clean up your mess.

The day to ask for a raise? Wednesdays. This survey says managers told them they felt more charitable on Wednesdays than any other day.

If you have new ideas, present them to your boss on Thursdays. They're more open-minded.

Friday is the day to ask for favors. After all, bosses are looking forward to the weekend, too.

Good luck!!!

What Do People Remember About You?

2009-08-04T15:10:00.000-05:00

When people think back to high school, what do they remember about you? Were you the best student? The class clown? A star athlete? I, apparently, was known for my ..... READING. Yep, exciting stuff .. I was a book worm. But I'm surprised that anyone else remembered.

Two weeks ago, when I attended my 20th high school reunion, three former classmates commented on how much I used to read in high school. I wasn't offended. I was just surprised that, after all these years, that's what they remembered and chose to comment on.

I'll admit that I rarely paid attention in class and, instead, had my nose stuck in a book. The books had nothing to do with school or learning and had everything to do with boys, friends and life at home/school. I also read some Harlequin Romances that I'd snuck out of my mom's closet.

So during one of those conversations at the reunion, one of my classmates suggested that because of my interest in reading I should review books. She was so excited about the idea that it inspired me to ... review my first book.

So here goes ..... don't get your hopes up. It'll be short and sweet.

The book is titled "The Castaways" and is written by one of my favorite authors, Elin Hilderbrand. All of her novels take place on Nantucket, an island 30 miles south of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I've never been to Nantucket and am drawn to the setting because it's so different from the way I live in the midwest. The island holds a sense of adventure that makes me want to visit someday.

Hilderbrand is wonderful at creating likable, relatable characters. This particular book centers on a eight friends who live, work and raise their families on the island. When one couple dies in a boating accident, the rest are left to deal with secrets about their relationships and their feelings of guilt over the accident. She creates a wonderful story about relationships.

Overall, I enjoyed "The Castaways" and highly recommend the book.

Okay .. that was hard. And, I realize, the book review is not even that descriptive. (It takes a lot of time). I guess I'm going to have to practice this book reviewing thing.

I'd love to hear what you thought (of the book, not the review) :)

My next read is Janet Evanovich's "Finger Lickin Fifteen." Can't wait.

How To Avoid Down Sizing

2009-07-29T07:58:00.000-05:00

Admit it. You think you deserve more credit at work, more respect from your co-workers and MORE money in your paycheck. Admit it. Your boss doesn't know how valuable you are to the company.

That may be how you really feel but, right now, most of us are just happy to have jobs. New labor numbers were just released yesterday and the employment picture doesn't look good. In the Peoria Metro Area, the jobless rate spiked back up to 9.6 percent in June, up seven-tenths of a percent from May and the highest it's been since the recession started. Nationally, statistics show more than 90 percent of the nation's largest metropolitan areas saw their unemployment rates jump from May to June, as well.

So, what can you do? Sometimes it's unavoidable. Companies are cutting jobs and there might not be anything you can do to save yours. But there also might be small changes you can make on the job that will give the boss the impression that you're a keeper. Here are some ideas from Woman's Own Magazine and "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook : Work" about how to avoid becoming downsized.

Make Yourself Seem Indispensable - Master the jobs no one else wants. Offer to the do the billing, sort the mail, replace the toner, or clean out the office fridge. (One guy I know transferred out of his division at Caterpillar and took a position working three, twelve-hour, overnight shifts on weekends. Months later, most of the people in his old division are without jobs. He might not have the greatest hours but he's still got a job.)

Offer To Organize Social Events : Organize office parties, picnics and holiday gatherings. Become the "go-to" person and maintain a password-protected database of contacts and suppliers.

Propose Ways To Save The Company Money: Suggest that employees use second-day postage rather than express, turn off the lights in unused offices.

Get Your Name Out - Write an occasional article for the company newsletter or speak at a company event.

Start Wearing Glasses - You'll look more intelligent.

Okay, I don't know if that last idea is supposed to be a joke or not but it's on the list. I do have glasses and always FEEL more intelligent when I'm wearing them but I'm not going to put a lot of stock into that one. Let's say it's a joke because otherwise it sounds absolutely ridiculous!

Good Luck!

20th High School Reunion - Great Fun!

2009-07-28T05:19:00.000-05:00

Was it wrong to have my 68-year old father drive my friend and me to our 20th high school reunion? Maybe. But it happened. I traveled to the Chicago suburb of Lockport this past weekend to meet up with the rest of the class of 1989 for a party that will be remembered for a very long time.

First of all, yes, I did have my dad chauffer us to the event. It seemed like a great idea at the time as I didn't want to have a few drinks and then get behind the wheel. Who knew how wild it would get? In retrospect, it probably wasn't the best idea. I did appreciate my dad's effort, but frankly, my "curfew" was too early. (Can you say high school flashbacks?) The event was supposed to get over at a certain time and that's when I'd arranged for him to pick us up. Of course, nobody, including me, was ready to go home yet and the party moved to a bar down the street. I didn't have a car there and wasn't prepared to call a cab. I barely had any cash with me and I didn't have any phone numbers. That's my only regret. That I didn't get to go out with the crowd afterwards.

Overall, the reunion was a huge success. There must have been more than 150 people who attended, many traveling from out of state. That's what was so awesome. A lot of people made a big effort to get there and, from the looks of it, they were glad they made the trip. In fact, so many people were there that I could only talk to a person for about five minutes before I had to move on and catch up with another. There were a few there I didn't even get to talk to .

If you have the chance to go to your 20th reunion, I highly recommend it. But prepared to stay out for the long haul .. and don't have your dad pick you up. :)

Back to the Grind

2009-07-20T06:50:00.001-05:00

There are always a couple of signs that vacation is officially over. First of all, I got on the scale this weekend and was a little upset to see that I had gained six pounds while I was away. That's not to say I didn't enjoy every bite of yummy pizza, ice cream and pie that I consumed while I was vacationing but come on ....

The second sign is that I only got four hours of sleep last night.

Yep. It's time to reset the body and mind for "real" life. Whether I'm ready or not, life as I know it resumes. 4:00 am alarm. Work. Teach Classes. Drive kids to activities. Cook lunch/dinner for children who don't eat what's on the menu. Laundry.

Nooooo!!!!!! Not laundry. Besides relaxing on the beaches of Lake Michigan and watching the kids play in the sand, I think the best part of vacation was that I didn't have to wash or fold one piece of laundry.

The whole trip was great. The question is why don't we all take more vacations? I'm re-energized. I'm re-focused. I'm ready for anything. Well .. almost anything. My 20th high school reunion is coming up this weekend. Am I ready for that? We'll see. First I have to get rid of those extra six pounds ....

More on the reunion later ...

Back From Vacation .. Re-energized

2009-07-18T18:48:00.001-05:00

I had a great vacation. My family - just the five of us - loaded up the mini-van and traveled up north to Traverse City, Michigan. We'd never been there, though, as a child my husband used to vacation in the area with his family. We stayed at a place called the Grand Beach Resort and it was perfect. We walked out of our hotel and right onto the beach. The kids played in the water and sand for hours. I went into the water, even though it was FREEZING!

We also visited the Sleeping Bear Dune. If you're ever in that area it's a must-see. We even did the climb up the huge dune and then the run down. It was awesome .. kind of like being a kid again.

It was quite nice to reconnect with everyone in my family. No friends. No other family. Bruce and I were the main attraction (besides the beach and Lake Michigan ... and mini-golf and the water slides) and it was nice. We almost didn't go because of the economy but I'm so glad we did. It was worth the money ... and so worth the 8 hour drive ...

Things You NEED To Know

2009-07-09T06:04:00.000-05:00

I sort through a lot of news and information every day so I often come across alot of ... "Things (I feel) You Need To Know." Here they are: (and please weigh in with your own tidbits).

Middle-aged women want sexy reading. New research shows women aged 45-60 want to read books about sex more than anything else. The latest book I'm reading is titled "Flat-Out Sexy" by Erin McCarthy. Yep. Lots of sex.

Do you remember former figure skating champion and Olympian Nicole Bobek? I do. I loved watching her perform. She's now accused of being part of a drug ring in New Jersey. So disappointing.

Joyce Dewitt who played Janet on the TV show "Three's Company" was arrested last Saturday on suspicion of DUI. Too many drinks at the Regal Beagle?

A rural town in Australia has voted overwhelmingly to ban the sale of bottled water over concerns about its environmental impact. What do you think of this?

Did you know that men who dance well are more likely to attract women.

A recent study says workers who use the web for entertainment while at work are 9 percent more productive than those who don't. Why? People need quick breaks in order to maintain a high level of concentration. I highly agree!!!

44 percent of men surveyed in Men's Health say they sleep naked

You Know You're A Grown-Up When ......

2009-06-24T08:22:00.000-05:00

I just read this article in the May 2009 edition of Redbook Magazine and wanted to share. It's titled "You Know You're A Grown-Up When ..... "

"... HGTV trumps MTV"

"... you can spend an hour in complete, cozy silence with your guy without wondering if he's mad at you."

"... you finally appreciate what all the fuss is about on Mother's Day."

"... someone you went to high school with shows up on the cover of a magazine as "entrepreneur/philanthropist/artist of the year."

"... you figure out a graceful way to get off the phone quickly when your friend starts one of her hour-long rambles about kitchen renovations."

AND MY FAVORITE ...

"... you still roll your eyes - but only when no one is watching."

So true. So true.

Picoult - Not For Me

2009-06-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Even though I don't have a lot of time to read, I'm always on the lookout for a great book. I e-mail friends seeking recommendations. I ask strangers standing by the book section at Target for suggestions. I check out "People" magazine to see which new books are getting four-star-ratings.

So for many, many months I've been told by many, many people to read "My Sister's Keeper," by Jodi Picoult. I put it off because I know that Picoult's writing typically ventures into disturbing, real-life topics that will leave me, not uplifted, but upset and sad. My friend finally got me to start the book because the movie is coming out and she insisted I read it before we go see the story on the big screen.

Here's what I discovered: I didn't like the book and I'm not going to see the movie!!!!

I love Hollywood endings and that book definitely did not have a Hollywood ending. Yesterday, I sat in the big red chair in my family room and bawled as I finished "My Sister's Keeper." Let me tell you this: every day I read real news that is depressing and sad. I don't need any help worrying about what happens in the world. I do that on my own. A lot. Ask my husband.

I also figure that if I want cry, I'll do that in the privacy of my own home and not in some crowded movie theatre where everyone will need a tissue. So I told my friend that she's going to have to go to the movies with someone else.

Don't get my wrong. Piccoult is an amazing writer, weaving through storylines and creating memorable characters but I don't think I want to read any more of her books right now.

I think I'll just stick with my "beach" book or what I call "light" reading. i.e. trashy novel. All kidding aside, I do love a trashy novel once in a while but I mostly enjoy women's fiction that deals with relationships. If you have any suggestions, please pass them along. :)

Happy reading!

Flag-Day Celebration

2009-06-15T06:17:00.000-05:00

Every year on June 14th, people across the United States honor the American Flag and all is symbolizes. It was on this day in 1777 when the flag was adopted by the US by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. (Wikipedia)

June 14th is also my wedding anniversary.

Do you know this story?

My name was Flagg. My husband's name was Day. We got married on Flag-Day 12 years ago. Our color theme at the wedding was red, white and blue. (It was not tacky! My wedding party wore blue and white dresses and carried red flowers.)

One year later, on Flag Day, our wedding photo and "Flagg-Day" wedding announcement was on national television. It was on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" during his Monday night headline bit. I sent it to the show and we watched for months but it never showed up on air. Then a year later, on the next Flag Day, the show aired it.

We missed it but lots of people called to tell us they saw it.

So this weekend, we celebrated Flag-Day with a wonderful dinner date and some time to reconnect.

And every year it's the same. Neither one of us gets in trouble for forgetting our anniversary because all of our friends and family remember .. and call to remind us. :)

What Did You Say?

2009-06-04T06:00:00.001-05:00

What that's thing called? Ya know ... that thing ... the thingie ... the whatchamacallit ... the hard thing ... the plastic tube at the end of your shoelace?

Yep, it has a name.

Everything's got a name.

It's called an aglet.

I don't know if you knew that or if you even care but I came across this tidbit in my new "O" magazine. If you want to impress others with your expansive vocabulary you can check out a new book called "The Whatchamacallit: Those Everyday Objects You Just Can't Name (and Things You Think You Know About, but Don't)", by Danny Danziger and Mark McCrum (Hyperion)

It's filled with all kinds of words that you may not have known existed: words like muselet or borborygmus (I found this one amusing).

Now you're asking yourself, "Why would I use those words in a sentence, anyway?" Well check out their definitions. Who knows .. maybe you can impress your friends, significant other, or ....

Okay, you're probably not going to impress anyone .. maybe you'll just find them amusing like I did. Enjoy!

Here's the short list I found in "O" magazine:

aglet : the plastic tube at the end of your shoelace.

borboygmus: (pronounced bor-buh-RIG-mus): the rumbling sounds your stomach makes.

interrobang: the punctuation mark rendered as "?!"

muselet : (pronounced mew-zeh-LAY) : the four legged wire cage on a Champagne bottle

tmesis (pronounced tuh-MEE-sis) : the division of a word by the insertion of another word; e.g., abso-bloody-lutely or un-freaking-believable.

You're Healthier Than You Think ....

2009-05-29T08:35:00.000-05:00

We try to do what we can to stay healthy .. eat right, get enough sleep, exercise. And now it turns out that you're doing a pretty good job. Woman's Day Magazine put out a list of five signs that you're healthier than you think. Here they are :

1) You have several cups of coffee each day - A recent Swedish study found that people who drink 3 to 5 cups of coffee daily at midlife are less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's later on.

2) You say "thanks." - A new study reveals that expressing gratitude may be the key to happiness and overall well-being.

3) You laugh a lot. - Research has shown that laughter expands blood vessels andmigh even lower your heart attack risk.

4) You tidy up your house - Just 20 minutes of sweeping, scrubbing, and doing other household chores can boost your mood, not to mention burn calories.

5) You surf the internet. UCLA research shows that it stimulates brain activity.

So, you have my permission this weekend to grab your cup of java, click on your laptop, log onto your favorite entertaining website, giggle a little when you come across something funny .. and then, of course, say thank you to your husband/partner for taking care of the kids while you take care of yourself. Enjoy!

I Will Not Teach My Child To Curse ....

2009-05-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

I will not teach my child to curse ..
I will not teach my child to curse ..
I will not teach my child to curse ...

Maybe I should write that 100 times as punishment for teaching my son to curse. Back in the day, as a young student, I vaguely remember having to write "I will not talk" on a piece of paper, front and back, for talking repeatedly during class. I remember detesting the busy work but who really knows if it deterred my motor mouth.

Now I have to curb my naughty mouth. I've slipped up a few times over the past couple of weeks, muttering the words, "What the hell!" It didn't happen once. It didn't happen twice. Okay, it maybe happened three times and Logan, my five-year old picked up on the words and the frustrated feeling behind them. Oooops!

So last weekend I'm in the yard planting some flowers when my daughter walks out the front door and says, "Mom, Logan cursed."

"What did he say."

"WHAT THE ... DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS."

The tattle-tale didn't want to get in trouble for repeating the bad words.

So I told her to go inside and tell him that "we" don't say those words and he will be in trouble if he says them again.

He said it at least two more times that day.

Finally, at the end of the day, I had a sit-down with Logan and explained to him that mommy shouldn't say those words and he, definitely, isn't allowed to say those words. He knew it, too. I warned him that if it happened again he would lose his DS Game for a week.

The threat of losing a video game is powerful and useful. Nobody has heard him mutter those words again.

By the way, I'm not saying them either .. at least not around the kids.

Lovin' The Spring Weather

2009-05-14T13:51:00.000-05:00

This weather makes me so happy!!!!!

Yes, in general, my life is good right now for lots of reason. I have three great kids and a wonderful husband. I have a job. I'm not obsessing about some illness I think I might have. Yes. I am happy. But I'm serious when I say this weather is contributing in all ways to my happiness. Every spring I enjoy walking around my yard, watching my hostas thrive. I love to plant annuals and then just sit and enjoy them. I also get lots of pleasure sitting on the sidelines watching my children play soccer at Detweiler. (sigh)

Spring weather is just so invigorating.

It must be all of the colors. Because of all this rain we've had in Peoria, everything is green.

The red, white, pink, and yellow tulips have come and almost gone.

And most importantly, blues skies and plenty of sunshine. (sigh)

Storms are again forecast for tomorrow. I'll just hold on to the idea that another day just like this one is not far away.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

2009-05-05T12:36:00.000-05:00

Quesion: What is Cinco de Mayo and why do we celebrate?

Answer: It's a regional holiday in Mexico commemorating the army's defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. According to Wikipedia, the date is observed in the United States as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

For whatever reason, I don't usually give Cinco de Mayo a second thought. There are never plans to drink mexican beer or margaritas. I don't throw a party or make plans to go out. Tonight, though, I may have to get out my delicious enchilada recipe AND the margaritas. We talked about Cinco de Mayo all morning on the radio show and now I'm in the mood for mexican food. A few listeners requested the recipe so I'm going to include it in this blog. It's creamy, rich and yummy. Enjoy.

Whit's Chicken Enchiladas (I got this from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 (4 ounce) can of diced green chiles peppers, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese, divided
1/2 cup of water
8 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 cup of heavy cream

Directions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until chicken is cooked through. Remove from water and cool.

2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut or shred the chicken breasts. Set aside.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the green chiles, jalapeno, and garlic. Cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant, then stir in cream cheese and half of the Monterey Jack cheese. As the cheese begins to melt, gradually stir in the water. Stir the chicken into the skillet. Remove from heat.

4. Spoon the chicken mixture into tortillas and roll up. Place the rolls seam side down in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining Monterey Jack cheese over the top, then pour cream over the top.

5. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven or until the enchiladas are golden brown

They are very rich so I serve them with lettuce, tomatoes and salsa.

Swine Flu -

2009-04-29T14:39:00.000-05:00

On the morning show over the past few days, we've talked quite a bit about the "swine flu," also known as the H1N1 virus. I have to admit that three days ago, I wasn't worried. We were even joking about the illness, mainly because I'm a hypochondriac and I've had a cold/flu for the past week. John, my co-host, was joking that I had the "swine."

Now, I sit here with increasing concern and many questions about what will happen if there is a pandemic. At first, a pandemic didn't seem possible. Now it does. More US cases are popping up, including one "probable" case in Illinois. A few schools across the country closed today for fear of spreading the illness.

I've also been watching the news, specifically a press conference regarding the death of a toddler in a Texas. He was from Mexico and died while visiting family in that state. He passed away Monday but officials there just found out this morning that is was from H1N1.

So while I'm not one to panic, I am starting to pay more attention to what our government is saying about the illness and what we should do if there's an outbreak in our area. The Centers for Disease Control has some pretty basic advice : you should wash your hands ALOT and cover your mouths when you sneeze or cough.

Okay.

Then what?

I guess I'll be doing some more research.

I know one thing. As soon as my three children walk in the door from school, I'll give them the soap and send them directly to the sink.

Here's more info about the H1N1 from the Centers for Disease Control.

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/parents.htm?s_cid=tw_epr_83

An Excuse To Watch TV

2009-04-23T07:59:00.001-05:00

Not that I need an excuse to turn on the TV .. but here it is anyway. How about this .. watching television can help your heart. Yep, that's right. I'm telling you to sit on the couch, relax and watch your favorite sitcom. By the way, that's the key, it has to be a show that'll make you chuckle.

According to a University of Maryland study, people who watched 15 to 30 minutes of a funny show increased their blood flow by about 22% which is similiar to the benefit from low-intensity exercise.

Apparently, when we laugh, blood vessels dilate due to the release of the protective chemical nitric oxide, which also reduces cholesterol building.

So, if you're looking for a funny sitcom check out the Mnday night line-up on CBS. VERY FUNNY! All of the shows make me laugh every time.

Confession Time

2009-04-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'll admit it. I have an adult "woobie." You know what I'm talking about, right? At one time in your life, probably when you were a child, you had a special doll, blanket or stuffed animal that you carried around or slept with to bring you comfort. Well, I still have one and I call it "squishie."

"Squishie" is feather pillow that I've had ever since I can remember. It's only about a quarter size of a regular pillow because, over the years, many of the feathers have fallen out. I squeeze it and hug it and sleep with it every night. Okay, that makes me sound completely nuts. Here's the truth. I just like how it feels when I roll it in a ball and put it under my head. Could I survive without it? Sure, but why should I if I don't have to.

It turns out I'm not the only one who turns to a material item for comfort. According to a Travelodge survey done a couple of years ago, 20 percent of men said they take a teddy bear to bed with them when they're alone. Really, I thought. Who's going to admit to that. And when we brought the topic up this morning on 93.3 The Drive, many people called with stories of their own "woobies." They didn't seemed embarrassed about it. GOOD! Let's embrace and hold our "woobies" high.(Okay, that might be a bit much.) :)

Have a great day!

2009-04-14T06:38:00.000-05:00

I went into Walmart yesterday to buy THREE items and walked out with 8 bags of discounted Easter candy. How could that happen? I vowed to stop this practice long ago. In fact, I always make sure I don't go into those big box stores the week after a holiday so I'm not tempted by all that candy.

DUH!!!!

I forgot and accidentally cruised down the Easter candy aisle. I couldn't stop myself and filled my basket with Starbursts, Hershey bunnies, malted milk egs and a BIG chocolate bunny (just for me). It's comforting, though, to know that I'm not the only one with a problem. The aisle was packed with women loading up their carts with discounted candy yesterday. Maybe men don't have that problem. I didn't see even one male close to the candy.

So, everyday I enjoy just a few pieces and you never know, I might even share with the kids. :)

Be Happy - Take a Nap!

2009-04-09T07:35:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love a good nap? When my three children were a little younger and still dozed in the afternoon, I would also catch a few zzzz's. Ahh. Those were the days. Unfortunately, these days I don't get many naps. I either can't find the time OR I can't turn my brain off to settle in. Now, though, I might make more of an effort because according to a new study, there are three BIG reasons to take naps.

1.You'll protect your heart - A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who snoozed for at least 30 minutes three or more times a week reduced their risk of dying from heart disease by nearly 40%.

2.You'll perk up - NASA researchers found that pilots on long haul flights who napped for an average of 26 minutes boosted their alertness by more than 50%.

3.You'll feel happier - In a Stanford University School of Medicine study, doctors and nurses improved their mood by napping for 40 minutes during an overnight shift.

Be happy. Take a nap!

April Fools!!

2009-04-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

April Fools!!! We had such fun on the radio this morning. Thanks to all the listeners who were good sports about our "joke." In case you missed it, John Riley and I "forgot" to turn off our microphones (when we were supposed to) during the Morning Drive on 93.3 today and everyone could hear us gossiping about "Carl and the Bradley-intern", spreading rumors about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt coming to Peoria, and having one heck of an argument. All this was taking place while songs played in the background. Of course, it was all in fun. We had quite a few people going, though. The phones (which we ignored for an hour) rang off the hook. In fact, other workers in the building began coming in to tell us are mics were still on and listeners could hear everything we were saying. In radio, leaving your microphone on and being heard while off the air is considered a cardinal sin. Today, we called it a little harmless fun. At least, we think so. We haven't talked to the bosses yet. :)

Escape From Reality : Eat Some Candy

2009-03-26T06:11:00.000-05:00

I ate a "KING" size "Watchamachallit" yesterday. I haven't eaten one of those in years and it was delicious! Mind you, I didn't mean to eat the whole thing. It was an impulse buy I made while standing at the checkout line at Walmart. I didn't scarf down the whole thing when I got into the car but had a little bit here and there throughout the day. Finally, about 9 o'clock last night, I took that last bite and had no regrets. Okay, it was 380 calories and I was a little regretful about that but overall, I was feeling quite happy with myself.

I've talked in the past about my obsession with the sweet treats but after reading an article this week in the New York Times, I've discovered that I'm not the only one who finds comfort in candy. I think it's safe to say most people are NOT spending money on big ticket items like they used to, but they are still treating themselves in smaller ways. Candy sales are soaring and here's proof: according to the New York Times article, Cadbury's profits rose 30% and Nestle's 11% in 2008. Hersey reportedly had a rough year but it's fourth quarter profits climbed 8.5%.

It's easy to understand. Candy is inexpensive and can be nostalgic, bringing back happy memories of better times.

So take a bite out of reality and sink your teeth into a big, chocolate bar. I did.

Whew!

2009-03-20T08:25:00.000-05:00

Okay .. so we made it one more week.

Bruce still has his job, but more than a dozen others in his division .. some of them "sitting in the same room" as him .. don't. I am relieved but still sad for those who've lost their paychecks. And really the relief is short-lived because if things don't pick up at Caterpillar and at other companies, who knows what will happen.

Enjoy this first day of spring and have a great weekend.

Scary Times

2009-03-19T06:06:00.000-05:00

The Caterpillar layoffs are hitting a little too close to home. My husband came home last night and told me that more employees in his division will find out today if they'll lose their jobs. He said he wasn't going to tell me but did because I had specifically asked if any news had been announced about new layoffs. I have friends in East Peoria who are also on pins and needles because of the job cuts announced this week. I told my husband that while I hope it's not him being laid off I feel badly about the people who will be without jobs as they have families to take care of, as well. Scary times, indeed.

What does 22 minutes mean to you?

2009-03-10T05:48:00.000-05:00

22 minutes.

You can watch a sitcom in 22 minutes.
You can drive from North Peoria to downtown in 22 minutes.
You can enjoy a sandwich and chips in 22 minutes.
OR
You can exercise for 22 minutes a day.

This isn't about losing weight. This is about being heart healthy. According to new guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, if you exercise for just 22 minutes a day you reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 22 minutes. Is there any excuse not to exercise? I can't imagine one when experts make it this easy for you to get healthier. Speaking from experience, I can say that, not only, is this good for the body, it's great for the mind. I promise you'll feel invigorated, you'll process stress better and you may even lose weight in the long term.

Ask yourself how important it is to stay healthy for your kids, for your spouse/partner, for yourself. And then get moving. All you need is 22 minutes.

Make it even easier by breaking up the workout into two 11-minute segments.

Books, books, books

2009-03-05T08:20:00.000-06:00

No, I didn't win the lottery. BUMMER! Ten co-workers in New Jersey won, which is cool. $216 million dollars is way too much for one person to win. Now they'll split the annuity or walk away with a lump sum of 140 million. In my opinion, the winners did make one mistake. They immediately announced their big win to the world. That's the dumbest thinking they could've done. Bye, bye privacy. Hello stalkers.

On to other things ...

I love to read. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to read as much as I'd like. My latest recomendation is "Vanishing Act" by Jodi Piccoult. A lot of her books are too dark for me but this one was great. There were a few twists and turns and a suprise at the end. I would defintely grab it at the library.

Lightening CAN strike TWICE!

2009-02-24T08:40:00.000-06:00

So a guy in Cuba, Illinois is living my dream. He woke up this morning, checked his lottery ticket and found out that he'd hit it big. The winner, who works at Hanna Steel in Pekin, won four million dollars in the Illinois Lotto.

My husband says it would ruin our lives. Maybe. But I'd like to take the chance. I'm pretty sure we could handle it.

My question today is "Can lightening strike twice? What I mean is: can two lottery tickets in central Illinois hit in the same week? I play the Mega Millions every week in a "lottery club" that I've organized with a bunch of my friends and family and it would be great it we could hit TONIGHT'S jackpot. It's worth 145 million dollars.

I know. I know. You're thinking I live in la-la land.

John Riley, who I work with in the morning, calls my delusional thoughts "adorable."

And who knows, maybe I'll wake up tomorrow and check my lottery tickets and .. well, you know the rest of the story.

Have a great day!

Random Thoughts

2009-02-11T07:04:00.000-06:00

I haven't blogged in a loooonnnnngggg time!

All I've got today is a bunch of random thoughts. My brain has been working overtime ...

Random Thoughts :

I'm in the mood for a decadant dessert.

If I feel a little bad for Nadya Suleman, the California woman who gave birth to Octuplets and has 14 children under the age of 7. How many diapers will she have to change every day?

I know it won't happen but I imagine what I would say to President Barack Obama if I ran into him while he was visiting Peoria.

Love 'em but the kids are driving me a little nuts!

I enjoy Facebook!

I wonder how many former high school classmates will attend our 20th reunion this year?

I want someone to cook for me. Lobster, please!

Have a happy day!

Are You Suffering From SAD?

2009-01-27T07:06:00.001-06:00

So here's what's going on in my life right now:

I've been extremely irritable. At the kids. At the hubby. Just irritable. I've even thought to myself, "What is going on."

In the past three weeks, I've bought about 8 large bags of candy and I've been eating bits and pieces every day. I was doing so well before the holidays but now I've fallen off the wagon.

I just want to get in my bed, under my warm down comforter, and sleep.

I've noticed my behavior changes .. and I know my husband has noticed my behavior changes (even though he's been nice enough not to say anything) but I didn't realize what was REALLY going on until a friend mentioned it to me yesterday. I'm experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder and I know I'm not the only one.

SAD typically occurs during the late fall and winter and is most common in young adult women. But according to emedicinehealth.com, it can affect men and women of any age. The website says some lifestyle changes may help prevent SAD or improve symtoms. Here's what you can do:

Spend at least 30 minutes outside every day.
Take daily walks. Exercise.
Increase indoor lighting with regular lamps and fixtures.

Like all types of depression, SAD can have a devastating effect on your life. If you have feelings of extreme sadness, hopelessness or emptiness or you find it impossible to carry on life as normal, contact your doctor.

A Chicken Recipe That Even My Kids Like

2009-01-21T05:48:00.001-06:00

While visiting my mother-in-law over the holidays she made a delicious and healthy chicken recipe that I was able to replicate at home. It's extremely easy and very flavorful. I hope you enjoy it, too!

Bistro Chicken

6 chicken breasts
2 TBSP. flour
1 teas. of salt (divided)
1 teas. of pepper (divided)
1 teas. of thyme
2 TBSP. of olive oil
1 28 oz can of diced tomatos
1 can of condensed french onion soup (Campbells)
6 slices of swiss cheese

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Pre-heat a non-stick skillet.

Place the flour and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a gallon-size Ziploc bag. Dredge the chicken and then brown it in a non-stick skillet until it's golden. Once the chicken is browned, place it in a 13 x 9 glass dish.

Put the can of diced tomoatos and the teaspoon of thyme in the skillet and simmer for five minutes. Put the condensed french onion soup and salt and pepper (to taste) in the skillet and simmer for about five minutes. Place a piece of swiss cheese over each piece of the chicken and then spoon the tomato mixture all around the chicken. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until done. I served it with brown rice and brocoli. YUMMO!

My kids, who are not big fans of baked chicken, even liked this one.

I love new recipes so if you've got one, please e-mail it to me at
nancyflagg@933thedrive. I'll post it on my blog and give you credit.

The Secret to Staying Slim

2009-01-15T08:38:00.000-06:00

We have a problem in my house that involves my eight-year old son and food. He eats sooooooo fast that he's done with dinner before my husband and I barely sit down. We've explained to him that he needs to use his manners at the dinner table and shoveling in his food as fast as he can is not the best way to do this.

We've also explained that eating this fast could be bad for his health and that it may cause him to overeat because his stomach doesn't realize that it's full.

So I was relieved to find a possible solution to our problem. A Japanese woman claims the Asian secret to staying slim is by eating with chopsticks because it makes it harder to shovel food in and slows down the pace.

Problem solved. Chopsticks for the whole family.

The Tooth Fairy Forgot - Again

2009-01-14T05:45:00.000-06:00

We had a Tooth Fairy incident this week. Two nights ago, my eight-year old son lost a tooth and put it on his bed side table so the Tooth Fairy would have no trouble finding it. Just like all children that age, Lucas was hoping for some fast cash, but he didn't get it. The Tooth Fairy forgot to come. Yep. It happened (again). So last night, he tried again but this time he wanted some questions answered. Along with the tooth, Lucas left a questionaire on his table. Here were the questions:

1) What do you do with all the teeth you collect?
2) Why didn't you come last night?
3) How do you get to the all the children's homes every night?
4) What is your full name?

Here were the Tooth Fairy's answers:

1) I make jewelry out of all the teeth.
2) Your dad was up too late.
3) Magic
4) The Tooth Fairy - but some people call me BOB.

This morning, Lucas will get all the answers to his questions .. and three bucks. The Tooth Fairy was feeling kind of generous. :)

Handy Husband

2009-01-07T06:30:00.000-06:00

The cost of replacing a part for my broken dishwasher = $166
A husband who can fix a broken dishwasher = priceless

I am so lucky to have a handy husband. He can fix anything!!

I have a friend who gets frustrated every time something breaks in her home because she knows she'll have to find and then pay someone to fix it. I shake my head and try to relate, but I can't because I am fortunate enough to have the handiest husband ever. In the past year, Bruce has fixed three major appliances : our washer, dryer and, just last night, our dishwasher. Every time he's successful, the kids and I give him a standing ovation (we really do clap for him). It's great fun for the kids plus it's fantastic for our bank account as we've saved hundreds of dollars in labor costs.

With that said, I am getting irritated that these expensive appliances keep breaking. We've only had them for 4 1/2 years and we paid a lot of money for them. My parents had their washer and dryer for over ten years, at least. I think that says something about how well things are made these days. Unfortunately, there's not a lot, as a consumer, I can do about it. I can complain to the companies (blah, blah, blah) or I can just call my husband. :)

Back to School .. Back to Work.

2009-01-05T05:47:00.000-06:00

Things will be getting back to normal in my house today. The kids go back to school and my husband goes back to work. (Thank goodness.) Don't get me wrong. We've had a great couple of weeks at home but I've had enough of the kids playing video games. And I've had enough of my husband playing video games with the kids. They've had great "together time" and we've all enjoyed playing "Rock Band" as a family but it's time we all got more productive.

What does that mean?

Well, my husband is going to do some painting. (He was supposed to do that over the break but never got around to it.) Oh yeah, he also plans to fix our broken dishwasher. He's very handy around the house.

The kids are starting up activities again : hockey, soccer, and piano.

I'll be shuffling kids to hockey, soccer, and piano. Plus, working, teaching classes, cooking dinner, doing laundry, etc. I don't mind. It all sounds busy but it brings a sense of order to my life. Even my 8-year old son said last night he was glad to be going back to school today.

(Sigh) :)

Ringing in 2009 With Resolutions

2009-01-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

I love the start of a new year because it feels like a new beginning.

I WILL become more organized.
I WILL eat better and I WILL stop buying so many bags of candy.
I WILL be better at sending birthday cards to family and friends.
I WILL not charge as much on my credit card.

I feel better already. I've written it down so, therefore, it must come true! :)

The bottom line for me is that making new year's resolutions helps me re-focus on the things I want to accomplish. It helps me set short and long-term goals. Do I always follow through with my resolutions? No. But I feel like it's a waste of an opportunity if I don't try.

How about you?

Happy New Year!

New Year's Day Traditions and Superstitions

2008-12-31T06:45:00.001-06:00

Happy New Year's Eve!

Whether you're planning to ring in the new year with friends at a big party or spend a quiet night at home with your family, there are (apparently) certain traditions that will bring you good fortune in 2009. Here's a list I found of New Year's Traditions and Superstitions.

WHAT TO DO ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Make lots of noise at the stroke of midnight. Evil spirits attempt to come into the brand new year at this time - horns and whistles chase them away.

WHAT TO WEAR ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
Wear red underwear (tonight) on New Year's Eve to bring luck. And you might even get lucky, if you know what I mean. And I think you do. :)

WHAT TO EAT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Black-eyed peas and lentils eaten on New Year's Day are said the bring riches and safety to the coming year.

WHAT TO DO ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
The first words you hear in the minutes of the New Year will set the precedence for the entire year.

While you're partying, listen tonight from 8 to midnight for our Morning Drive New Year's Eve Party with myself and John Riley. We're pulling out all the party tunes!

Rockin' Out to Rock Band!

2008-12-30T05:19:00.000-06:00

Let me ask you this .... am I the only one who stays up late playing "Rock Band" with other adult friends on a Monday night? That's what went down at my house last night and I was loving it!!! I felt cool and isn't that the point? You're supposed to feel like you're in a rock band when you're banging on those drums, strumming that guitar or belting out your best "Wanted Dead or Alive" over the mic. So if you haven't tried it ... and you don't have it .. find someone who does and express yourself! It's a great way to have some fun with, not only, your kids, but with friends and other family.

Early Wake-up Call

2008-12-29T06:34:00.001-06:00

It was HARD to get up this morning. I mean, come on, for the past week I've been spoiled by having the luxury of sleeping in everyday. But now, after a wonderful Christmas with my family, it's back to work .. and that's not such a bad thing. Vacation is great .. with all it's laziness .. but getting back to a schedule makes my life right again. You know what I mean. I can only sit around the house in my pajamas for so long. I start to get that stir-crazy feeling if it's much longer. And now, we all get to look forward to 2009. A time to get reorganized, refocused and re-energized.

Don't Waste Your Time ... Happy Holidays

2008-12-23T06:20:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend, we traveled up to the Chicago suburbs to celebrate Christmas #1 with my family. My three children were very excited because they got to open lots of presents early. Nana and Poppy, as usual, spoiled the kids and it was all fun and games. Literally. My son recieved the Spongebob Monopoly game and I think we played it four times. It was lots of fun and I won twice. :)

My husband and I were supposed to drive downtown Saturday for a fancy dinner with his brother and some friends but decided not to go because of the weather (BRRRR). Yeah, we're wimps. As a result, we stayed home and watched two movies. Two absolutely, awful movies!!!! So in the spirit of helping others this holiday season I want to advise you not to waste your time with "Tropic Thunder" or "Burn After Reading." I can't believe I actually sat through both of those movies in the same night. Four hours I'll never get back. Hopefully, I'll see some better movies over Christmas.

I hope you have a safe and happy holiday. I'll be out for a few days but will be back on the air Monday.

A Great Book To Share

2008-12-15T07:52:00.000-06:00

There's nothing more entertaining than reading a great book ... and I found one. I was up way past my bedtime (11:30) last night because I couldn't put down Harlan Coben's new book, " Hold Tight." I would describe it as a thriller with lots of twists and turns. A great read. Hey, maybe even a great Christmas gift for someone.

Happy Holidays!

Being Thankful .. For Good Health.

2008-12-09T05:15:00.000-06:00

On Thanksgiving, just before my family eats dinner, everyone sits around the table and lists off what they're thankful for. Well, for some reason, this Thanksgiving we didn't do it so I'm doing it now.

I'm thankful for .. my children, my husband, my friends, my job, my health. Uhh .. well my health hasn't been that GREAT this year. I got my tonsils out. (That was hell!!) I've been dealing with reflux forever. (It's driving me crazy!!!) And for the past five days, I haven't been able to move my head because I pulled a muscle in my neck.

Now, obviously there are many people who are far worse off than I am, but please allow my to express my frustration. For the past year, I haven't felt physically well. I compare the situation to my 10 year old van. Things are just starting to wear out. It seems like I've always got a doctors appointment scheduled or a prescription to fill or UGHHH ... this darn reflux.

Anyway, this latest neck injury left me incapacitated and in pain for days. I couldn't take care of my family, my home, or go about my everyday activities and it was incredibly frustrating. It also made me realize how much I take my body and health for granted on a day to day basis.

I sometimes tell the people who come to my fitness class that we should remember it is a privelege for us to move the way we do and without pain. Once I feel better, I'm going to think about that every day.

Confession of a Grocery Store Shopper

2008-11-17T08:02:00.000-06:00

It's confession time.

I CAN'T STOP GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE!

I know it sounds strange. But ...

I CAN'T STOP GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE!

Here's what happens. I browse the daily newspapers and, inevitably, come across the grocery store circulars. All of them. So, I look and I see all kinds of sales that I feel I can't pass up. You know what I'm talking about. The 10 for $10 sales. Pies for $3.39 (only around the holidays), a bag of chips for $1.50 (prices are going up so I tell myself I better buy, buy, buy). It goes on and on and on. And for some reason, I can't ignore these sales. I even write down a list of all the sale items I want from each grocery store in town so I can strategically map out my plan for the week. My husband doesn't even know it's gotten this bad and he won't if he doesn't check the Visa bill. But here lies the problem. Like everyone else, we're trying to tighten the budget. Except our grocery budget isn't getting smaller. In fact, I think it's getting bigger.

I'm starting to think this is an addiction. Each time I walk out of the store, at least $50 poorer, I feel guilty and tell myself I won't go back for another week, but I always do.

My neighbors even joke that if there's a national emergency they're coming to my house because my pantry can feed an army for a month.

I guess I found one positive aspect to stocking up .. just don't tell my husband.

Battling Cold and Flu season

2008-11-13T06:03:00.000-06:00

Now that cold and flu season is here .. you may be reaching for Airborne, the over-the counter supplement that has claimed to prevent and cure viral infections. But before you spend your money .. consider this .. in March the manufacturers of Airborne agreed, as part of a class action lawsuit, to refund more than 23 million dollars to consumers who had purchased the product in the past. While Airborne has made certain claims about its ability to boost immunity, there is no data to support these claims. I better send this article to my mom.

Just Four Cereals Are Good For Kids

2008-11-10T07:27:00.001-06:00

My three children are constantly asking me to buy sugary cereals. Captain Crunch, Lucky Charms and Apple Jacks top the list. I told them, though, that I'm no longer buying this junk and I've kept to my promise. It's a good thing because I just came across an article that said Consumer Reports recently rated 27 cereals advertised to children and found most of them had a lot of room for improvement.

Only four - Cheerios, Kix, Life, and Honey Nut Cheerios, ranked very good.

In fact, in an international study, Consumer Reports found that several US cereals has more sugar and sodium than their counterparts in other participating countries.

Some helpful news .. now all I have to do is get my kids to eat the above cereal. So far, it hasn't gone so well.

Manic Mondays

2008-10-27T06:28:00.001-05:00

Monday's are important in that they can set the tone for the whole week. So based on what happened this morning, it could get ugly.

As I was leaving for work today, I noticed the garage door was only halfway closed. I pressed the button. It went up a little and stopped. I pressed it again. It went down a little and stopped. UH OH!

There could only be one reason the garage didn't close last night .. something was in the way. The kids constantly leave skateboards and scooters around the garage but usually it doesn't cause the door to stop halfway. Nope. This time, our new van was in the way. It hadn't been pulled in the garage all the way so when the garage door came down it hit the rear end of the van. Crap! There was a big scratch down the back. Great!

We buy a new car, every ten years and we've only had Ruby (our name for the van) for 10 months. In that time, somebody has backed into us and now this. I wonder how much it'll cost. I wonder if we'll bother.

Have a great day!

New recipe - YUM

2008-10-21T18:35:00.000-05:00

It's the same every Fall season. Once it starts to get colder, I start to crave certain types of foods and drinks. Chili is one of those foods and is on the menu this week. I also start to enjoy red wine again instead of the white wine I usually drink in the warmer months. And every year, about this time, I start to think about my mom's Shrimp Creole. Maybe it has to do with the cooler weather or maybe it has to do with warm fuzzy thoughts of sitting around our dinner table when I was young. Either way, it's delicious. I did make a few changes thanks to a similiar recipe on allrecipes.com (I add the cayenne pepper) but it's tastes just as great.

Shrimp Creole (YUM!)

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 celery rib, chopped
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 28 oz. can of (diced, crushed or a combo of both) tomatoes
1 8 oz can of tomato sauce
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (OPTIONAL – FOR A “KICK”)
Instant rice
Shrimp (I always use already cooked shrimp that’s thawed)

Put oil in pan. Sauté onion, pepper, celery, and garlic for about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, chili powder, sugar, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until heated through. Serve over rice. I also serve a salad or peas. ENJOY!

Don't Skip Breakfast - Eat Bacon

2008-10-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

If you're trying to lose weight, don't skip breakfast. A new Purdue University study found that overweight men who ate eggs and lean Canadian bacon in the morning had a greater sense of fullness throughout the day, compared to those who ate the extra protein at lunch or dinner. The doctor who headed up the research says, "This study is particularly unique in that it looked at the timing of the protein intake and reveals that when you consume more protein, it may be critical piece of equation.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER EXCUSE TO BRING ON THE BACON!!!

Where Did My Money Go????

2008-10-08T08:05:00.000-05:00

Are you wondering where your money goes? You're not alone. According to a new survey by Visa, Americans are spending roughly $48 a week on ... who knows what? They can't remember. Let's see, coffee is a big one for me. I spend $1.59 a day on a medium Dunkin Donuts coffee. I consider this to be an essential part of my day so I'm not willing to cut back. Let's see ... that comes out to $7.95 a week. Then I spend $2 a week on lottery, roughly $10 for lunch. That's all I can remember. That only comes out to $20 a month.

So why is my bank account so empty? :)

False Sense of Security

2008-09-30T20:44:00.000-05:00

I was cruising through the grocery store today ... checking for sales, manhandling the fruit and trying to decide if I needed more wine in the house when I came across the deli. That's when it hit me. Yep, we needed more ham. So, I asked for a half-pound of honey-baked ham. Normal enough, right? The man behind the counter bent over behind the display and began looking for the product I'd requested. He couldn't find any so he looked here and there and then pulled open the refrigerator door to see if he could find some inside. Yep, there it was.

By then, though, I didn't think I wanted the ham. Just before he'd opened the fridge, he put his carefully gloved wrist near his nose .... and wiped. GROSS!

So then the question came to mind. "When was the last time he'd actually changed his gloves?" Because, really the gloves are there to assure the consumer about cleanliness and food safety, right? Well, I was not feeling assured. Frankly, he could have had those now-grimy gloves on all morning ... while he was cleaning the machines, handling this and that and whatever. All I know was that I was standing there asking myself whether I had enough guts to ask him to change his gloves before he touched my ham.

I chickened out.

Instead, I cut my order short and just asked for a quarter pound of ham, thinking all along that it was going in the trash.

So am I the only person with this question? When a new customer approaches the counter and that worker has been completing other tasks, shouldn't they change their gloves. Okay I'll admit I'm a little germ-a-phobic ... when other people are touching my food.

Do you blame me?

Christmas shopping??? Already???

2008-09-25T07:46:00.000-05:00

It's only September, but my kids have Christmas on the brain. My two boys have informed me that they've already started their Christmas lists. My oldest son, who informs me that his "list is long," has even written his first letter to Santa. He was hunched over his desk last night busily writing. I got a warm fuzzy feeling. I'm not sure why we're so early this year but that's okay. At least we haven't seen Christmas decorations at the stores yet. Or have we?

When Women Drink Too Much ......

2008-09-22T06:47:00.000-05:00

So a friend of mine sent this funny article to me last week and I wanted to share. It's called "When Women Drink Too Much ... " For all the ladies out there, this will either bring back memories of younger days .. or from this past Friday (or from Las Vegas.) Here goes!!!

When Women Drink Too Much ...

1) We have absolutely no idea where are purse is located. (It happens every time.)

2) We believe that dancing with our arms overhead and wiggling our butt while yelling "Woo Hoo" is truly the sexiest dance move around. (Guilty)

3) In our last trip to the bathroom, we realize that we now look more like homeless hookers than the goddesses we were just four hours ago. (Nice mascara.)

4) We start crying and telling everyone we love them soooooo much.

5) We get extremely excited and jump up and down every time a great song plays because "OH MY GOD! I LOVE THIS SONG!!!" (Any Journey song.)

6) We take our shoes off because we believe it's their fault that we're having problems walking straight.

Back From Vegas

2008-09-18T07:13:00.001-05:00

So, I made it back from Vegas but wasn't fortunate enough to see any celebrities while I was there. My friends and I spent hours by the pool, walked the Vegas strip and even hit a few nightclubs. (Tao - bad. Jet - good) It was tooooo crowded at Tao. (can you say fire hazard.) I did do a bit of dancing while at Jet, though. FUN!! The only problem in Vegas was that I was still not feeling that great. I had been dealing with a major sinus headache and it was hanging around while we were there. Overall, it was a very relaxing trip that allowed me to sit by the pool for hours and hours. Loved that!! I didn't even lose a lot of money. I played slots (always lose) and roulette (won a little).

Off To Vegas

2008-09-10T06:46:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. I'm off on a girl's weekend to Las Vegas. This year we're taking a few extra days because we just didn't have enough time, last year, to do all that we wanted to do. Our big plans include sitting by the pool (alot), walking the strip to check out all the hotels, shopping, gambling and going to see a show. We've even got plans to hit some clubs. You know .. the clubs where all the celebrities hang out. Oh yeah .. I'm on star-watch this weekend. Hopefully, I'll bring back some good stories.

Enjoy your weekend. I know I will!

Promptcare .. Not So Prompt

2008-09-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

We've only been back to school for two weeks and already we have a sick house. My oldest son has strep throat. I think I have strep throat. My other son had to go to Promptcare yesterday for a cut on his leg that won't heal. The word Promptcare, though, can be decieving. I thought it was supposed to be prompt care. Well, we got there at 10:30 am and left at 2:30 pm. CRAZY. We spent four hours at Promptcare, and I'm not rounding up. I guess this is how it works these days. His pediatrician was booked so it was our only option. 4 HOURS!! Luckily, my husband was able to work from home to watch my other son. I guess I'm just venting because there's not much I can do about it. Let me see .... hmmm .. there's got to be something positive about this situation. Oh yeah ... I got to read 4 magazines that I'd been meaning to get through. LOL

Try this recipe - Yummy and healthy

2008-08-27T06:41:00.000-05:00

I planted another garden this year and it's doing okay. My zucchini plant rotted and my rhubarb has died off for the year but my tomatoes are still going strong. That means I can make this new recipe I found on allrecipes.com. It's a tomato, cucumber and red onion salad that's delicious. It's also healthy and proved to be a great side dish to a steak dinner we had on Saturday night.

Tomato, Cucumber, and Red Onion Salad (taken from allrecipes.com)

2 large cucumbers (seeded and sliced) (I used an english cucumber and didn't have to seed it.)
1/3 cup of red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon of white sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 large tomatoes, seeded and coarsley chopped (I used grape tomotoes and just halved them)
2/3 cup of coarsely chopped red onion
3 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ** You can also add in chopped fresh mint leaves or basil leaves (I used basil because it's growing in my garden.)

Directions: In a large bowl, toss together the cucumbers, vinegar, sugar and salt. Let stand at room temperature for an hour, stirring occasionally.

Add tomotoes, onion (mint or basil if you choose) and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Advantage of being an adult

2008-08-26T07:46:00.000-05:00

I love being an adult because ...

I can go get an ice cream cone anytime I want.

That chocolate, dipped cone from Dairy Queen tasted great last night. :)

Musical Chairs

2008-08-14T15:53:00.000-05:00

This past week has been a little crazy. I was on the radio but not on 93.3 The Drive. John Riley and I played a little musical chairs. Our company owns six radio stations so we've been helping out on a different station, 1470 WMBD-AM. It's a talk-radio format and it's been a nice change of pace but we've missed all of our listeners and all that great music. (Jeez ... give us more time to talk and we never shut up.)

Next week we're back on The Drive but life will change on another front. The lazy days of summer are over as the kids go back to school on Monday. Yup, it's time. Don't get me wrong. We've had a fabulous summer, traveling, hanging out and going to the pool. In fact, this was the first year I could actually sit in a lounge chair instead of being with the kids in the pool the whole time.

So now I'm gearing up for busier days. But I'm ready ... for soccer, hockey, piano lessons, PTO, back-to-school nights, my daughter's dance class, etc., etc., etc.

You get the drift.

We Made It - We Survived the Wisconson Dells

2008-08-05T07:37:00.000-05:00

It's taken about a week to recover .. but we made it. We survived our first trip as a family to the Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Kalahari and spent about 10 hours at the water parks over 2 1/2 days. I have to say that what I enjoyed most was the Kalahari Surfari. It's set up so you can ride the "waves" on a boogie board or surf on a smaller-version surfboard. I did both and it was a blast. I only tried the surfing once as I was worried that if I tempted fate I would be sorry. I didn't want to come back with a broken wrist. Of course, the kids loved it, too. We played a little mini-golf and "mined" for rocks. We were all worn out when we returned home. Already, the kids are asking when we can go back.

Yeah .. maybe next year.

Wisconsin Dells .. Here We Come

2008-07-28T06:38:00.000-05:00

The kids have begged and begged .. so we're finally doing it. We're traveling four hours north to immerse ourselves in water parks, arcades and whatever else the Wisconsin Dells has to offer.

I really don't mind. I'm kind of excited about going down those huge water slides. I'll be the one taking the kids up and down, up and down.My husband won't go down the big slides because he's afraid of throwing out his back. He'll be in the wave pool.

Friends have warned us that it's all a big tourist trap but the kids will love it and it's a few days a way. We'll let you know how it goes.

Enjoy your day and be happy.

Nancy has a BIG EGO?!

2008-07-23T06:46:00.000-05:00

EGO - an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority

I'm feelin' pretty good about myself today. The guy at the cell phone store gave me a free charger yesterday .. because I'm so smokin' hot.

WHAT?

Well .. that's my version of the story.

Here's what happened. I had just finished teaching a fitness class so I was rather sweaty and smelly. BUT, I was dressed in my usual work-out attire .. short, shorts and a tight-fitting shirt.

At Verizon, you immediately check in on a computer when you arrive. Then you wait.

I did that and in the next moment a Verizon employee, who turned out to be the manager, walked by, hesitated and then asked me if everything was okay. I said yes and then proceeded to ask him a question about my phone. It hadn't been charging so I was trying to figure out why. He took my phone and charger and tried to figure out the problem. It turned out the charger was broken. So he found me a new one, opened it, had me sign a piece of paper and then said "Here you go."

WHAT? No charge?

I had my old charger forever so I went into the store expecting to pay for a new one. NOPE. He gave it to me for free.

WHY?

Well, it had to have been because I was so smokin' hot. Right? (EGO! EGO! EGO!)

YEP. That was my story and I was sticking to it.

As soon as I left the store, I even called my husband to tell him how smokin' hot his wife was. He chuckled.

Well .... why do you think this happened? It couldn't have been because he was being an effective manager and providing great customer service. Right?

NAH. I like the other story better.

Oh by the way, I also had three children with me in the store. They were eating and occasionally tossing grapes to one another. But it couldn't have been that he just wanted me in and out of that store ASAP. Right?

NAH. I like the other story better.

Now, of course, after actually talking and writing about this incident (and how I felt about it) ... I feel completely ridiculous.

Back From Vacation ... Back To The Real World

2008-07-16T06:59:00.001-05:00

Usually when my family returns from a week-long trip I tell people that I need a "vacation" from my vacation. I'm always exhausted because we typically run, run, run trying to see all the sights and keeping the kids busy. Not this time. My husband and I, along with our three children, traveled to the Outer Banks of North Carolina last week. We went to the beach, swam in the pool, and played games with the kids. We visited a few tourist attractions but, overall, it was one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever had. I came back well-rested and ready to start my new life.

It was crazy around my house before we left for vacation. It seemed that we (me and the kids) were running ourselves ragged with our everyday activities. But it was stressing me out. I had high hopes for a slower summer but it wasn't happening.

Now that we're back and I've had time (a week) to reflect on what that stress was doing to my disposition, my new life will include less time running and more time enjoying the simple pleasures of summer. Frankly, I want to be lazy for the next month, until school starts. My kids want that, too.

So .. I'll see you at the pool. I'll be the one lounging in the deck chair.

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." ~Sam Keen

Let Loose And Be A Kid Again

2008-07-01T06:07:00.001-05:00

I want to be a kid again. Just for one night. I'll grab my glass jar and head outside at dusk. My eyes will scan the backyard. When I see the bug light up, I'll run over and carefully cup it in my palm. In the jar it goes. Then I'll do it again and again and again just like when I was a child. AH (sigh) ... those were the good times. When I think back at those hot summer nights I feel a sense of security and happiness that I must have also felt as a child. These days I want my three children to capture, not only, lots of fireflies but similiar memories. Sometimes, as an adult, it's hard to break away from all the exhausting responsiblities to enjoy the moment. Maybe I can help. I came across a great list in Woman's Day magazine and I wanted to share. It's called:

" 10 Ways To Be A Kid Again" (Woman's Day July 8, 2008)

1) Catch Fireflies
2) Camp in your backyard
3) Walk barefoot in the grass
4) Buy a treat from the ice cream man
5) Have a watermelon seed-spitting contest
6) See a movie at the drive-in (I didn't find any in the Peoria area. Visit driveinmovie.com for more details.)
7) Have a water balloon battle with your kids
8) Play hopscotch
9) Hula hoop or get on a pogo stick
10) Set up a lemonade stand with your kids

Enjoy your summer AND try to be a kid again, even if it's just for one night.

"Children make you want to start life over." - Muhammad Ali

I'm Exhausted!!!!

2008-06-26T07:37:00.000-05:00

I need about a nap today.

Will is happen?

Probably not.

What's the rest of the story?

2008-06-23T05:20:00.000-05:00

My friends call it strange. I've taken to reading the obituaries nearly every day. It's actually been happening for some time now and I'm not sure why. Years ago, I rarely give the obit page a second glance. I was always reading the newspaper to stay current on world, national and local affairs but was never interested in checking out the stories of those who recently passed.

As I've gotten older, though, I can't stop myself from reading about these people's lives. First, I do a quick glance of the pictures and if I see someone my age or younger I go on to read the full obituary. I look to see how hold they are, what they've done with their lives, and who they've left behind. Usually, though, I feel the stories of their lives are incomplete on the page. The question that remains is always the same. How did they die? It's usually not included and, for whatever reason, I want to know. I know it's probably none of my business but if you're going to put every other detail about this person's life out there than why not complete the story?

Am I the only one who does this?

Life Lessons

2008-06-16T07:03:00.001-05:00

It was a great weekend. We traveled to Champaign to celebrate Father's Day with my husband's family. Dad's were honored with a lazy morning, a yummy breakfast, and a few fun presents. My sister-in-law and I then took the kids to the pool and let our hubby's get started on dinner. They enjoy cooking and planned a barbecued-rib dinner for their 79-year old father. Home-made cole slaw and potato salad were also on the menu. YUM!!! It was a fantastic day.

Also, this weekend, I learned a few life lessons..

# 1) I can no longer handle my liquor. If I drink any more than two glasses of wine, I'm out. I immediately fall asleep.

#2) Don't "rig-up" your bathing-suit. My top was a little big so, in an effort to tighten the bathing suit, I tied the straps behind my neck and then snapped the clips together. Not a good idea. As I was bending over, putting on sunscreen, the top came undone and as I stood up the top came down. I ended up flashing those "lucky" patrons of a Champaign Park District pool on Sunday.

Note to self: GET A NEW BATHING SUIT!!!!

No Longer A Pampered Camper

2008-06-03T07:14:00.000-05:00

Overall, it was a successful weekend at Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. That's where we went with the kids and a few friends for a few days of hiking, fishing, canoeing and swimming. We got more than we bargained for, though, on Friday when heavy rain and a tornado warning came our way. We had to spend about an hour in the men's shower as there was only one storm shelter at the campground. After that, because it was raining so hard, we ran to the van and watched a movie. Finally, even though it was still pouring, we made it to the tent for a snooze. It was a bit damp but we made it through the night.

The next day was beautiful and that's when the real camping began. We hiked, swam, fished, enjoyed the kids and sat around the fire. What is it about sitting around a fire in the dark. I love it.

Anyway, if you're looking, Turkey Run is a great state park! There's lots to do for everyone. We're definitely going back.

Pampered Camper

2008-05-30T07:19:00.001-05:00

It's going to be quite an adventure this weekend. My family of five will pack up the mini-van and head east to canoe, fish and camp in our first outing of the year. We typically get in 2 family camp-outs each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. (I can't handle summer camping. It's way too hot!) This weekend, we're going with a couple of people who've never pitched a tent before. Their husbands have camped, but the ladies have not so I imagine it will be an interesting couple of days.

I can promise there will be some pampered campers this weekend. That means we'll all be bringing items that probably shouldn't go on a campout. I think one family is even bringing a DVD player, not for the kids but for one mom who may need a break from nature in the afternoon. Hey. Don't judge. I have to give her credit for going on the trip, in fact, she's even agreed to go canoeing.

The weather is also shaping up to provide some excitement. The forecast includes possible thunderstorms, high winds and hail. Oh boy!

Enjoy your weekend.

Camping: the art of getting closer to nature while also staying relatively close to the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet. -Unknown

Last Day of Freedom

2008-05-22T07:47:00.000-05:00

Today is my last day of "freedom" for some time. Summer vacation officially begins for my four-year old as pre-school ends this afternoon. My 6-year old daughter is done tomorrow and my second-grader finishes up Tuesday morning. Even though I'll lose some "me" time, I'm looking forward to spending some time with the kids during the slower days of summer. We'll go to the pool, watch my son play baseball, and hit some balls at the Golf Learning Center in Peoria. Even though gas prices are sky-high we'll also do some traveling to visit family and friends. Yeah .. I'm looking forward to summer vacation. Ask me how I feel in about a month. :)

There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you.
David Burns, Intimate Connections

A Relaxing Night At Home

2008-05-21T06:23:00.000-05:00

I can't wait for dinner tonight.

Like many people with children, we've been running every night with soccer, baseball, dance, piano and end-of-the year school stuff. We've been so busy that I can't remember the last time we sat down and had a dinner with healthy food. Last night, the kids had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The night before it was chicken patties out of the freezer. On the menu tonight will be "Alice Springs Chicken." It's my version of a dish from Outback Steakhouse. It's chicken with bacon, mushrooms and cheese melted on top. MMMMM. I'll make mashed potatoes, salad and peas. MMMM. I'm hungry already.

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

Mother of the Year

2008-05-19T06:49:00.000-05:00

Just call me "Mother of the Year."

NOT!!!

I am horrified and embarrassed about an incident that happened last Friday.

Here's the story.

My oldest son (8) and daughter (6) were taking part in a lip-synch performance at school on Friday and I promised to be there. The problem was that it started at 1:00 pm and I couldn't be there right when it began. I teach a BodyPump fitness class from noon to 1:00 on Fridays. My daughter was very upset at this news because her class was performing first. I promised her that I would rush right over after class and, hopefully, I would get there in time. So class finishes up and I literally run from the fitness room to the car. I book over to the school and run from the parking lot into the gym. I see my husband and a friend and take a seat next to them on the bleachers. After about 10 minutes, something doesn't feel right and all of a sudden it dawns on me that my youngest son, Logan (4) is not there. I blurt out to my husband, "Where's Logan?"

OH MY GOD! I left Logan at the health club. Now, mind you, he was in the nursery so he was in the care of professionals. But still. I LEFT MY 4-YEAR OLD SON!!

I booked it out of the school gym and headed to the health club. Five minutes later, I gave Logan a big hug. He didn't even know that I had left the building but I felt so guilty.

To make matters worse, I missed my daughter's performance because I was too late and then I missed my oldest son's performance because I had to go back to the health club. Like I said, just call me "Mother of the Year." :)

"Mothers are all slightly insane." ~ J.D. Salinger

Gearing Up For A Get-Together

2008-05-16T08:08:00.000-05:00

Spring in here and that means it's time to fire up the grill! We're having lots of friends and even more children over to our house this weekend for a cook-out. In fact, I think there will be 20 kids. They'll definitely outnumber the adults.

What this all means is that I'm in planning mode .. BIG TIME. It's something I love to do: invite people over to my house and put my husband to work. He's a patient man and doesn't complain when I get out of hand. And I do get a little out of hand. I've got a honey-do list for him that's getting quite long. But make no mistake, I have a list, too. Today, I'm staining our outdoor table and playset plus I have to go get supplies, clean the house, plant flowers, etc., etc, etc.

John Riley calls me "manic."

He's coming this weekend, too, so I may have some new pictures to post on Monday. Nothing too crazy but we'll see. :)

"It is better to have burnt and lost, then never to have barbecued at all" - William Shakespeare

Mother's Day Highlights

2008-05-15T05:46:00.000-05:00

Okay .. this is a few days late but I had such a wonderful Mother's Day. Here are some highlights.

Slept in .. until 8 am (that's late for me)
Shared a huge breakfast with my family, including my mom, dad and mother-in;
Went to the Lakeview Museum and had fun with the kids
Saw Speed Racer with Bruce and the kids
Topped off the day with a burger, fries and ice cream at Culver's. YUM.

AAAHHHH. :)

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont

When Mommy's Your Name

2008-05-09T07:21:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day is this Sunday so let's celebrate the women who've made a difference in our lives. John read this on the morning show today and I think many of you will relate.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day.

When Mommy's Your Name

- by Jacey Reynolds

The telephone's ringing, the TV is blaring.
Sister is crying' cause Brother's not sharing.
There's a spill on the carpet that no one will claim.
There's no time for sitting when Mommy's your name.

The laundry is folded but not put away.
The dishes you just washed are from yesterday.
Without any warning your relatives came.
There's no getting caught up when Mommy's your name.

You drive to the market, you drive to the school
You drive to the cleaners, you drive the carpool
You drive yourself crazy, it's really a shame.
There's no time for resting when Mommy's your name.

To your bedroom you sneak to find peace for a minute,
but your minute is over before you begin it.
Your little one finds you and thinks it's a game.
There's no time for hiding when Mommy's your name.

At night as you kneel to thank heaven above you,
An angel creeps in and says, "Mommy, I love you."
You may not know glory or fortune or fame,
but what does it matter when Mommy's your name?

What I Dread These Days!

2008-05-06T08:32:00.000-05:00

I know I'm preaching to the choir but I just filled up "Betsy" my tired-old mini-van on Monday and (YIKES)$75 dollars later I was on my way. That one hurt. Usually, I'm pretty upbeat but today I'm going to tell you about a few things I'm irritated about.

#1 Going to the gas station
#2 Paying my Visa bill (it's HUGE)
#3 My husband's snoring (I slept like crap last night - even with ear plugs)
#4 Swimsuit season (It's fast approaching)
#5 I have to repeat my request at least three times to get my children to do anything I ask
#6 My messy garage

MORE TO COME

By the way, John is sitting right here telling me not to whine and that I have no right to complain about what he calls my "pampered" life. Stuff it Riley!!!

No Snacks for Baseball .. Yeah!

2008-04-30T06:50:00.000-05:00

I kind of got my way.

NO SNACKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR BASEBALL.

A couple of weeks ago, I was complaining and blogging about how I quite dislike having to bring snacks for my children's various soccer/baseball/hockey teams. First of all, I don't think they need the extra junk. Secondly, it's just another thing for me to remember as we rush out of the house.

Anyway, it turns out I'm a big wimp. I never said anything to the coaches about scrapping the snack schedule this season. I'll admit, I didn't want to be "that mom," and I don't like confrontation so I decided to just deal with the treats. Anyway, I'm now on the schedule to bring juice and snacks for our soccer teams.

Baseball is a different story though. Here's how it went down.

Again, I never said anything to the coach, who is also a friend and neighbor. So I went about my business and forgot about my complaints until yesterday when I spoke with the coach. He said something like "Why didn't you tell me about your blog and the snack issue." I was caught off guard. It turns out his wife (also a friend)read my blog and reported my complaints to him. We discussed it a bit more and he told me he decided to get rid of the snack schedule. I couldn't tell if he really agreed with me but he didn't seem to mind. He said only three parents signed up anyway and he'd probably have to pick up the slack.

He did send me away with parting words. He told me, basically, that if I wanted to see change than I can't just blog into oblivion and expect results. Point taken. Maybe next time I'll be "that mom," and speak up.

“What is a rebel? A man who says no”
Albert Camus

Cleaning Out the Dust Bunnies

2008-04-24T06:48:00.000-05:00

The yearly ritual is underway in our house. We're cleaning out closets and I've started with my own. It's time to get rid of all those winter clothes I DID NOT wear this year. There are plenty so I've got a large pile forming outside the door of my bedroom. Even though I'm getting rid of plenty, there's still plenty I want to hold onto even though I shouldn't. I can't bear to get rid of that comfortable, yet ugly sweat suit that my aunt gave me years ago. It's huge on me, is the color of bone and my best friend has flat-out told me that I should never wear it again. So, of course, I folded it neatly and put it on the shelf in the back of my closet.

Do you have something you should, but won't get rid of? I swear my husband has shirts and pants in there that he hasn't worn in 10 years. He can't even fit in them anymore yet he won't take them to Goodwill. He's also told me that, under no circumstance, am I allowed to touch them. Fine.

It's Thursday. My favorite day. Have a great one!

"I think housework is the reason most women go to the office." ~Heloise Cruse

No More Snacks!!

2008-04-17T06:52:00.000-05:00

Who: Parents whose children play soccer, baseball, softball, any sport.
What: Let's ditch the snack schedule.
Where: Everywhere
When: Immediately
Why: The kids don't need the sugar (especially before dinner). It's another thing for me to remember.

Okay .. this has been on my mind for several years now and I can't hold back. It's been common practice that at the beginning of a new season (soccer, hockey, baseball, etc) a snack schedule is put together by the coach/manager. Parents are given a specific date to bring a treat and all the team members are given one after practice or a game. It usually ends up being a sugary snack (guilty!) with way too many calories. With all the talk of obese and overweight children in our country, doesn't this send the wrong message? Can't our kids run around for an hour without needing a sugary reward?

Don't get me wrong, my three children now look forward to and expect a snack after practice and would be very upset with me if they knew I was calling for an end to the snack schedule. But I can't keep quiet any longer. THE KIDS JUST DON'T NEED IT, ESPECIALLY AT DINNER TIME! And frankly, it's kind of a hassle for me too. I have three children in soccer this year. All of them are in different leagues because of their ages. All of them will be at different fields. I'm not complaining. I love the fact that my kids want to be involved and I enjoy watching them play. All I'm saying is this is just another for me to remember(or forget) as we rush out the door.

Some would probably like to tell me to stop trying to spoil the fun while others may suggest that I simply tell my children that they can't have the snacks. Yeah, right. Imagine that scenario (argument) two times a week. Not pleasant.

So to all the coaches, managers and parents out there, I'm calling for change. Either get rid of the snack schedule or request that parents bring in a healthy treat. Better yet, send the kids off with a nice pat on the back.

Costco - Come to Central Illinois

2008-04-14T07:14:00.000-05:00

I want a Costco in Peoria.

Costco is similiar to a Sam's Club in that it's a warehouse store that sells everything from vitamins to food to cleaning products to electronics to outdoor furniture. I visited a Costco in Orland Park, Illinois this past weekend while I was visiting my parents. I loved it. (Hey, I get excited about small things!)

I'm not a huge shopper in that I go out constantly and buy things but I love to stock up on items, especially food. My husband would say that it's a problem I have and that I'm currently working on correcting that problem.

Will a Costco change my life?

No.

But I'd love one to see one in central Illinois. I even sent a letter to the company telling them that I want a Costco in Peoria. You can also go to the website costco.com and make a similiar request.

Come on. Just do it .... for me!

Obsessed .. With the Lottery?

2008-04-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

"I WILL WIN THE LOTTERY ... EVENTUALLY!"

I don't think it's any secret that I love playing the lottery. I talk about it on the radio, I think often about what I would do if I won, and I even organized a "Lottery Club" with my friends and family members. There are nine couples, including my parents, who give me money every two months to buy Mega Millions Lottery Tickets. We've been doing it for almost a year now and "NO" we haven't won anything substantial yet. A few dollars here .. a few dollars there. In fact, I've played the Illinois lottery since I was 18 and "NO" I've never really won anything at all.

WHY DO I PLAY THEN?

Some people would say that I'm wasting my money. Others would say that I'm not very smart. That's okay. They're entitled to their opinion. But they'll never be able to take away my ability to dream the American dream. And, hey, I'm not the only one living in LA LA land. Those jackpots get so monstrous because millions of people play. As I write this for all of you to read I realize how ridiculous it sounds. I know some of you want to tell me to "get real." To you I say "no." Why can't I dream? It's not like I'm spending all my money on the lottery. In fact, I spend $8 a month on lottery. That's it. I realize that having a huge bank account can't solve life's problems and won't make you happier. I'm already happy. But winning the lottery can sure as hell allow you to have a lot more fun and adventure!!!!

I bring this up only because for the last couple of days I've been obsessed with lottery winners. I've been searching online for success stories and I've found them. Just reading them makes me a little happier and little more hopeful that one day "I WILL WIN THE LOTTERY!" I can tell you the "Lottery Club" sure hopes so.

Okay, enough of LA LA land .. it's back to cleaning, folding and putting away laundry. Have a safe and happy weekend.

Where did Spring go?

2008-04-10T07:11:00.000-05:00

I thought we'd turned the corner but I guess not. I think I heard the word "snow" muttered when the forecast came up today. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

We had such wonderful last weekend but I guess we'll be stuck inside for the next several days. I even did some yard work last week and I can't wait to do more. Maybe next week.

Enjoy your day!