I Confess..I Got Nothing.

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I Confess...

I needed to color my hair so bad this week that i actually wore a hat 3 days in a row because the gray root was THAT pronounced and that noticeable.

Seriously my hair grew an inch over night and it was not pretty.

Thank heaven for sisters. My sister Amy came and colored my hair and my mom's late last night so I could avoid day 4 of hat wearing.

I Confess...

I am glad the show is coming to a close and we only have 2 performances left.

It has been a lot of fun, but I am ready to get back to my life.

I Confess...

I stayed up until 4am yesterday putting together the playroom / preschool.

I just finally got my flow and didn't want to stop.

Going through boxes and setting up shelves and curriculum got me really excited about having a small preschool enrichment program set up in my home.

I Confess...

We got REALLY creative with defining the space and separating the room from the rest of the garage.

I was worried it was looking tacky but not it feels bright and whimsical.

I Confess...

Once I get things done I will start the video series of my house that I have been promising...if y'all are still interested.

I Confess...

When I began this confession I was worried that I wouldn't have anything to talk about.

It's a little boring, sorry about that. I will take the weekend and see if I scare up something juicy for next week's confessional.

What are you confessing this week?

It Makes The World Go Around WWTK wk50

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

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{1} What is something that you currently spend money on that you consider a splurge or frivolous?
{2} Tell us about your first paying job. How old were you?
{3} Do you plan date nights and extras into a monthly/weekly budget?
{4} Share one of your money saving tips with us.
And finally, Christine @ http://cmgendreau.blogspot.com wants to know:
{5} If you won the lottery - would you spend it frivolously or use what you need and save the rest? Why?



{1} What is something that you currently spend money on that you consider a splurge or frivolous?
Well I have recently cut WAY back on this little treat but I love a Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome (Diet Pepsi, from a fountain, over ice balls in a cup with a lid and a straw). Unfortunately we have not found a place here in Hollister with a good fountain soda. Barbour's, a gas station that was around the corner from us in our old town was fabulous and is seriously the ONLY thing I miss about living there. A Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome may not sound like much of a splurge, but it adds up if you go get one or two everyday like I use to *hangs head in shame*.

My new favorite splurge is having a housekeeper, Gabby, come in every other week. So nice. Gabby came last Friday before my in laws arrived for the weekend. I have been so busy with the play it was nice not to have to worry about scrubbing toilets and dusting for their arrival. There is also nothing like coming home to a clean house with vacuum tracks in the carpet and pine sol in the air.

{2} Tell us about your first paying job. How old were you?
My VERY first "paycheck on the payroll" job was at Togo's...a sandwich shop. I applied for the job, without my parent's permission, because I had a huge crush on the manager. I went to my first day and spent most of my time cutting avocados. When it was time to go I clocked out and walked out onto the floor and slipped and fell in a puddle of melted ice. I was soooo embarrassed that I never went back, and didn't go to collect my paycheck either. I was 17 and horrified. The good news was I didn't have to let my parents know I went and got a secret job...not sure how I thought I was going to pull that one off.

{3} Do you plan date nights and extras into a monthly/weekly budget?
Since moving here we have started setting aside money specifically for date nights, though we never budget a lot of money for it. We decided we needed to make date night more of a priority. Since Big Daddy's days off are Tues and Wed we usually hit the movies and dinner out.

{4} Share one of your money saving tips with us.
The local theater has $5 movies every Tuesday so we usually either go on Tuesday or hit a matinee. We love going to the movies and found this is a great way to save a few bucks and still do something we enjoy.

I also use my Crockpot a lot on days that I know I m not going to be able to make dinner. It saves us from the last minute decision to just eat out knowing their is a hot meal waiting for us at home.

And finally, Christine @ http://cmgendreau.blogspot.com wants to know:
{5} If you won the lottery - would you spend it frivolously or use what you need and save the rest? Why?
Big Daddy and I pretty much have the whole lottery thing figured out and how we would spend the winnings. First of all we would not tell anyone we won, this could be tricky, but it would also make it next to impossible to be totally frivolous. We would maintain our current lifestyle and just not have the financial worries anymore. We would plan trips and such, but not do anything extravagant or over the top. We would love to custom build a home and have nice things, but I am pretty sure we would keep pretty grounded and level headed about our spending.

Of course, we would actually have to start playing the lottery in order to win it...so far that is the one big thing missing from our plan.
All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

Happiness in Pictures Have Me Smiling

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{one}I am sooo HAPPY that Big Daddy kept the blog going last week in my semi-absence. The comments y'all left speak for themselves, Big Daddy needs to do a weekly post. I am thinking Thursdays. More on this later. I hope.

{two}I am HAPPY that opening weekend went so well for musical. The show was fantastic. I am HAPPY that this week will be a little more "normal" with just one pick up rehearsal and 3 more shows. I have loved doing the show but I will be HAPPY to get back to my life again.

{three}I received Good Mail this week. Good Mail makes me HAPPY! Thanks to my dear friends Angela, Amanda and Cassie. I love love love all of the sweetness you sent my way!!

{four}Flowers make me HAPPY! I received these PINK Tulips from my niece and her friend for all of the work I put into getting them costume ready for the show.


{five} My in laws came to see the musical and celebrate my Birthday (it is not until April 1). They brought me that darling little plant that matches my kitchen so beautifully. I am so HAPPY that my mother in law made sure to tell me that she asked for a plant that is "next to impossible to kill". I don't have a lot of luck with plants so...she made a good choice.

{six} We went to one of my all time favorite places to eat this weekend. Phil's Fish Market makes me very HAPPY. On our way to the car Big Daddy surprised me with a gorgeous orchid. I use to keep an orchid on my coffee table before we moved to Ceres. I could not keep one alive there, so I am sooooo HAPPY to be living here again so I can have orchids.



{seven} I decorated my mantle for SPRING and just looking at it makes me really HAPPY!!



{eight}I have been spending a lot of time at the local High School because of the musical. Election week was last week for the Student Body and OH. My. Goodness. The election posters all over the school had me cracking up. Here are 2 of my favorites...they should have won on posters alone.



{nine} Coco has been really funny lately. Here she is laying back while Big Daddy was scratching her chest, something she loves. She fell asleep with her ears way back and little tongue poking out and I just had to grab a pic for the blog, too cute not to. Coco makes me really HAPPY!


{ten}On Friday my Mima is coming to stay with us for a couple weeks. Having her in our home makes me HAPPY. Coco is beyond excited and Mima is HAPPY to be anywhere Coco is. My folks are going to go spend a month in Arkansas...they go every Spring and rent a house near my sister Meg and her family. THEN once my brother Scott and his wife Kristie have their baby and are ready for company my folks will go to Colorado. So Mima is going to visit her kids...first Colorado, then New York and possibly Idaho before she comes back to California in late May or June.

So what is on YOUR Happy List this week? Grab a button add it to your list and link that post up!

I am also linking up with Emmy Mom for her 10 Things To Smile About

Big Daddy's Friday Confessional

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I Confess, Friday Confessional is one of my favorite days here on my beautiful wife's blog. I am not exactly sure why. I know that Mamarazzi doesn't keep secrets from me so, I admit that very few of her confessions actually surprise me, but I am always drawn in.

I Confess, Mamarazzi and I stayed up for 36 hours straight. I am scheduling this confession because I know there is no way I will be able to do this and post it in time to go live at 12am on Friday. We have been working very hard putting all of the finishing touches on the local high school's Spring musical.

I Confess, when I say "we" I really mean my beautiful wife. She and her sister and mom were all working until 3am screen printing some tee shirts for the show. I was mainly playing the role of security and moral support as they all slaved away.

I Confess, my confessions are really boring so far. I should spice it up with a story or something. I wish I had a good one to tell.

I Confess, I really lead a pretty vanilla life, and I like it that way. Even if it means not having a really great confessional post.

OH here is a little tidbit...

I Confess, I really love when I can hum or sing a few bars of a song and watch it get stuck in my beautiful wife's head. It is one of my favorite games, even if it is a party for one. She hates when I do this and I love watching her get a little pissed, now and then.

I Confess, Mamarazzi can have a mouth on her sometimes. It is one of the first things I feel in love with about her. I just really appreciated the dichotomy of this really classy woman who would drop a random expletive now and then. It's hot. I don't expect people to get it, the good news is that I do, so it's all good.

I Confess, I like taking over the blog now and then. Mamarazzi wants me to do a weekly post. I am wondering if any of you would really like hearing from me weekly? Any particular topic you think I should post about? I am totally open for suggestions.

OK, that's it folks. The link thing is now open for you to link your Friday Confessional posts to. My beautiful wife will be back to blogging and visiting blogs next week! Thanks for all of your comments and stuff. That was cool.

Technology? WWTK wk49

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama&<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt</span>;center>&<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt</span>;a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">ourdandelionwishes</span>.com/" target="_blank">&<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt</span>;<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">src</span>="http://i1096.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">photobucket</span>.com/albums/g328/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">OurDandelionWishes</span>/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">WWTKbutton</span>-1-1.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">jpg</span>" border="0" alt="null">&<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt</span>;/a>&<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">lt</span>;/center>
Here is what Crazymama sent me: "I was inspired by Fullfilled Mommy's Question a few weeks back, so this week is Technology themed. We are staying away from anything super girly, because Big Daddy is answering the questions for Mamarazzi while she does her thing at the high school musical."

Crazymama's questions....

{1} How many phones do you have in your household? (cell, smart, land lines)
{2} Are you brand loyal? (Apple or Android or something else?)
{3} Would you rather talk on the phone, text or email?
{4} What do you think of Video chat? what do you use? (skype, facetime? google talk?)
Fulfilled Mommy @ http://threekidsfouryears.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
{5}What is your favorite gadget? (Tablet, cell phone, etc.)
{6} If you had to pick just one technological gadget, (computer, cell phone, smart phone, tablet)and it was the only one you could use for a year, which would you pick? explain why.

Here are Big Daddy's Answers...Crazymama will be by to visit for both of us this week:

{1} How many phones do you have in your household? (cell, smart, land lines)
Actual working phones? That would be 4, my and Mamarazzi's cell phones, one cordless land line and one corded land line. I highly recommend you have at least one corded, non-battery operated phone for use during power outages. We also pay for our nephew's cell phone, he took over J's number when she moved out.

{2} Are you brand loyal? (Apple or Android or something else?)
I have been an Android user for a while now. I am seriously thinking about jumping to Apple when the iPhone 5 is released. I am not decided yet. Being so familiar with Android and particularly the Samsung line makes it a difficult decision.

{3} Would you rather talk on the phone, text or email?
I prefer text or email. I am always worried that I am interrupting something with a call. It is much easier to send a text or an email and let them respond when they are able. The downside is if you don't get a response what is an acceptable length of time before re-texting or emailing?

{4} What do you think of Video chat? what do you use? (skype, facetime? google talk?)
I don't use video chat. The way Mamarazzi and I will text or Facebook each other in the same room though, I am not surprised we haven't started Skyping the same way. Haha

Fulfilled Mommy @ http://threekidsfouryears.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
{5}What is your favorite gadget? (Tablet, cell phone, etc.)
I am one who always has my phone with me. I am addicted to Words With Friends and now I am on the Draw Something bandwagon.

{6} If you had to pick just one technological gadget, (computer, cell phone, smart phone, tablet)and it was the only one you could use for a year, which would you pick? explain why.
I can't! Just one, are you nuts!? I was going to answer my phone since I do most emailing and web surfing on it but, I need the computer for school and I can't give up my phone, I need it.


All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

Big Daddy's Happy List

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Hey y'all, Big Daddy here! Mamarazzi is super busy this week putting the finishing touches on the costumes for San Benito High School's Drama Department presentation of Disney's High School Musical.

This leads me into the Happy List.

I am happy that my beautiful wife, Mamarazzi, has been able to be a part of the school play. Watching her re-live her high school drama days has been a lot of fun. It has also been interesting to sit in on some rehearsals and watch how the play evolved from very awkward and disorganized to being a well oiled machine with the actors hitting cues and knowing their lines.

I am happy that my folks are coming down for the opening weekend. They have not been for a visit since we moved in. I am excited that they will get a chance to see what an awesome job my beautiful wife has done at making our new house our home.

I am happy that we got our new Dish Hopper receiver today. If you remember I posted that since moving to Hollister we had to give up our ATT Uverse. Well, Dish has released the new Hopper receiver with 6 channels of DVR recording ability, as well as some cool features like On Demand movies and Blockbuster At Home movie service. I am holding high hopes that this new equipment will cure the ATT Uverse withdrawals.

I am happy that I am over half way through my most recent class. It has been a difficult one and I cannot wait until it is over. One major written assignment is all that stands between me and the end of this class!

I am happy that I finally read The Hunger Games.  Since it opens this week Mamarazzi was insistent that I read the book before we see the movie. I am happy that I was able to fit in an afternoon to read the book. I have read the first two books and I started The Mockingjay last week.

Hell Week!

This is "hell week" for the Spring Musical I am doing costuming for. The show opens on Thursday night and this week is all about last minute changes and STRESS that comes with opening a show.

Big Daddy is taking over the blog starting tomorrow with his Happy List post.

He will also be answering questions for We Want to Know on Wednesday.

AND Confessing for Friday Confessional.

I know you all love when Big Daddy posts on Dandelion Wishes so I am sure he will not disappoint.

In other news it is "hell week" around her for another reason.

Late Friday night I was coming in from taking Coco out to go potty in the rain.

My feet were wet and as soon as I stepped down onto the concrete floor of the garage they went out from underneath me and I fell HARD and UGLY.

My back is jacked.

I spent the entire weekend and most of today off of my feet and it feeeels like it is starting to loosen up a bit.

However, I think I cracked a rib because I cannot take a deep breath and I yesterday I sneezed and felt like I was going to pass out from the pain.

There is NO TIME for this nonsense...so could ya spare a prayer?

I will be by to see y'all and catch up on your bloggy goodness once things settle down around here.

In the meantime you are in really good hands with Big Daddy, even though he rarely responds to comments and you won't find him blog jogging.

I Confess...I Feel Like Giving Up!!

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I Confess...

I have had lots of moments when I find out someone is pregnant and I think to myself, "wait, what? SHE is having a baby?"

Like the mom who has 9 kids with 9 different dads and NONE of the children even live with her (thank goodness for them).

Or, the teenage girl next door who did not plan on having a pregnancy interrupt her teen life.

OR the Craig's List hooker that lived next door to us in Ceres...she had a baby every year, and none of those babies are living with her (thanks goodness for them).

I know it sounds judgy and ugly, I can't help myself.

And Dude, I JUST found out that Snooki is having a baby.

Seriously? Snooki?

Makes me want to just give up.

That little Jersey Shore, fall down drunk "meatball".

I don't know her personally, but God is sending her a baby and not me, and well...

It's just not fair.

There I said it. I feel better.

And

I hope that she steps up to the challenge and the HUGE BLESSING and is really not the person she "plays on TV".

I Confess...

I was giving a costume note, to one of the girls in the play I am doing costumes for, the other day.

I told her that the way her jacket was buttoned made her look pregnant.

It was a private comment, and not made in front of the whole cast, just her friend.

She looked at me straight faced and said, "Well, I am pregant."

I did not hesitate before asking, "Do you have a plan for this baby? Because I would love to give it a beautiful life, and you could be a part of that life."

She laughed and told me she was kidding.

Her friend asked, "Do you ask all pregnant teens the same question? You just straight out offered her an option for her "baby".

I Confess...

I didn't even think about it. I HAVE asked random pregnant teens if they have a plan for their babies and I give them my phone number.

I WOULD love to adopt a child and IF their birth mama wants to be a part of their life I am totally down for that, (provided they were a "safe" to be around the child).

Know anyone looking for a wonderful home for their baby?

I Confess...

Sometimes I wonder HOW on earth more children are going to join our family.

I NEVER wonder IF though.

I know it will happen...eventually.

Did you read yesterday's post from Big Daddy?

I Confess...

I want to make/adopt a million babies with that man.

Just so that many kids can have him for a dad.

Big Daddy...on dating.

Hey everyone, it's Big Daddy taking over the blog today to talk about my little girl, Jordan.

Sixteen years old (17 in August). I can’t believe that my little girl is now dating. It was just yesterday that she was a seventh grader whispering to frogs in our back yard. It was a few minutes after that when we took her and some friends out for a night on the town to celebrate her 13th birthday. Where has the time gone? In the last few months she has asked a boy to a dance, gone on a first date, and now she has a boyfriend.

The only solace I have is that I know I have gone to great lengths to show her how she deserves to be treated. I don’t change how I treat my wife when in private or when in public. I love her unconditionally and believe she deserves to be treated with respect. I made sure that J was made aware of this treatment and that she should expect and accept no less from anyone she spends time with.

As J grew up I set aside time for regular daddy/daughter dates. They might have been quick afternoon trips to a museum, a peaceful spring lunch at the taco truck, or standing in line for opening night of the Eclipse movie. In each and every situation J knew her daddy would open doors for her, speak to her with respect and listen to her when she spoke. She knows that these are essential traits of a good respectful man. I have gone to great lengths to set these standards and be an example for her so that she will be able to recognize them in other people.

I believe that I have been successful.

When she began to talk about asking a boy to the winter formal I admit, I was not prepared for this new stage of her life. She has grown up so fast and I was worried about her. I was not worried so much about her safety or her judgment, I know she will make good decisions.

I worry about her feelings.

Dating in the teen years can be so turbulent. She will be exposed to happiness and sadness. I know she will have her heart broken and suffer great sadness. I am happy that she and my beautiful wife have a great relationship. J will open up with her and talk about these things. I know that will help her navigate the waters of teen dating and in the end she will be a stronger and more resilient woman because of it. I do not expect  her to come to me with these kinds of problems. I am not equipped to handle them like my wife is, but I do know that she knows her daddy has her back whenever she needs it.

When her grandma asked her how her date went to the dance J was excited to tell her about it. When her grandma asked her if he tried to kiss her J said “No! If he had I would have slapped him!” That’s my girl! She is quick to tell her potential suitors that her dad works in law enforcement and will not put up with any shenanigans (my word, not hers).

In the end you can only do so much to prepare and protect your kids as they grow and mature. You can be an example and give them experiences that show them how to treat people with kindness and respect. You can use this time to build trust with love and honesty without resorting to being their friend. We are not here to be our children’s friends. We are their teachers and protectors. When they reach certain milestones you are relegated to an observer of their life and remain hopeful that you have instilled that trust in them that will allow them to come to you for advice and counsel.

I feel confident that J will make good decisions as she embarks on this new phase of her life. She has standards and knows she is worth being treated with respect. She knows her dad is always at her back supporting her and willing to stand up for her. She knows she has honest adults in her life that will level with her as she seeks their counsel. She also knows that if she makes a decision that is contrary to her parents counsel she will be allowed to fall down and call it a lesson learned. She also knows that when that happens, her parents will be there to help her up, dust her off and send her on her way.

What's Cookin?! WWTK wk48

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama<center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/WWTKbutton-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="null"></a></center>
This week we are talking FOOD and featuring a some of our favorite WWTK participants. If you are  grabbing the questions from this post, PLEASE include all of the links in your post. We want to make sure to give these bloggers lots of linky love for their fabulous questions (not sure how to create a link? just highlight the link on your compose page and click the word link, easy)

{1}Ricki Jill @ http://ricki-treleaven.blogspot.com wants to know:
I would like to know what the WWTK's participants serve when they have company for dinner. What are your go-to recipes?
{2}Jill @ http://jills-world.blogspot.com wants to know:
If you were told it was time for your last meal, what would you order up or make for yourself?
{3}Suzanne @ http://suzannewynnell.wordpress.com/ wants to know:
Sugar or alcohol? or more delicately Drink or Dessert?
{4}Myya @ http://myyasays.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
What is your favorite Crock Pot Recipe?
{5} Mamarazzi is having a hard time getting breakfast in everyday so she wants to know:
What are you eating for breakfast these days?

Here are my answers...I will be by to visit everyone soon!!

{1}Ricki Jill @ http://ricki-treleaven.blogspot.com wants to know:
I would like to know what the WWTK's participants serve when they have company for dinner. What are your go-to recipes?
Everyone requests my Tortellini Soup when they come over. J and her friends LOVE BBQ Beef Cups these little tasty bits of goodness and they are SOOO easy to make when you have a house full of kiddos.

{2}Jill @ http://jills-world.blogspot.com wants to know:
If you were told it was time for your last meal, what would you order up or make for yourself?
It would be Sushi...100% all the way. Bring on the Sushi. Besides Fair/Carnival food (you know, deep fat fried anything) Sushi is my all time favorite thing to eat. I love the whole experience.

{3}Suzanne @ http://suzannewynnell.wordpress.com/ wants to know:
Sugar or alcohol? or more delicately Drink or Dessert?
Well, since I don't drink alcohol I am going to go with dessert. For me dessert can be anything from a piece of chocolate to something truly decadent like creme brulee...yummers.

{4}Myya @ http://myyasays.blogspot.com/ wants to know:
What is your favorite Crock Pot Recipe?
This is a REALLY easy and super yummy one Cream Cheese Chicken because you just throw it in and walk away. It is also something kids LOVE. but it is high calorie.

If you want something a little more health conscious toss some chicken breasts and a jar of salsa in the crock-pot and let it slow cook all day. Shred the chicken and eat in lettuce wraps...YUMMY!!

{5} Mamarazzi is having a hard time getting breakfast in everyday so she wants to know:
What are you eating for breakfast these days?
IF I remember to eat breakfast it is usually a yogurt, instant oatmeal or an apple. I need to be better about breakfast, HELP!!

All posts for We Want to Know should include:
1. The darling WWTK button
2. A link to your co hosts Mamarazzi and Crazymama
Links must lead to WWTK posts that contain the WWTK button. Posts should lead to Family Friendly blogs. Blogs containing explicit language and/or sexually explicit content should contain an "adult content warning", or risk being removed from the link list. Kthanks!

My Happy List

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I am sooooo HAPPY that my internet is back...it was rough there for a little while :)

No seriously, I was pretty sure my head would explode.

I am HAPPY that I FINALLY got Big Daddy to start The Hunger Games Trilogy.

He spent one of his days off reading book one. I was so much fun to talk to him about it as he was reading.

Coco was less enthusiastic about Daddy spending all day with his nose in the Kindle...



Anyway, I knew he would love it..I cannot wait for the movie!!

I am so HAPPY that we are getting closer to The Spring Musical opening at the High School.

It has been soooo much fun working with my sister Amy, who is the musical director and my niece Taylor, who is playing the female lead Gabriela.

The show is Disney's High School Musical and I am the costume coordinator.

Check out the poster...my niece Taylor is the one in the white and red dress...CUTE!



I am HAPPY that this funk is lifting a little more each day.

I THINK I have figured it out...and I am hoping to get it fixed and be back to 100% soon.

I am HAPPY that it is Tuesday.

Tuesday is date night around here.

Tuesday's and Wednesday's are my FAVORITE days...those are Big Daddy's days off.

I am ALWAYS HAPPY whenever I get to spend quality time with my Boo.

So, what is on YOUR Happy List this week? Grab a button, add it to your post and link that post up!!

Stuff You Should Know

First of all my MOM got me hooked on DrawSomething. It is a blast, seriously so much fun. 


Do you have a smartphone with a touchscreen? Download it now....pretty please.


It is like Pictionary, but cooler, cuz it's on your phone and you draw with your finger.


It replaced my old lover Words with Friends (it wasn't fun winning all. the. time).


So yeah, get it and start a game with me...my username is QTFNGRL


OK...I am glad I got that out there...seriously, I love this game...I love laughing at my drawings and the drawings of others, OH the hilarity!!


One of my Bloggy Besties Xazmin@This is the Year and bloggy bestie/in real life friend MiMi@Living In France are bringing together their creative awesomeness and Etsy shops to bring you a fabulous giveaway.


Serious cuteness and sooo easy to enter. You can read about it on their blogs.


And totally check out their Etsy shops...filled with DARLING creations at FABULOUS prices!!!


MiMi is The Cursing Crafter and Xazmin is Ribbon Blossoms


So far this is a low entry giveaway (which is NUTS!) so get over there your chances of winning are gooood!


I want to thank everyone who shared such kind words with me on my Friday Confessional post.


Y'all are the BEST!!!


Thank you for your words of love and support and encouragement.


I feel the funk lifting and it is 100% due to your L-O-V-E.


So yeah, thanks for that...it means so much!!


I have received lots of emails about SocialSpark and all of the news is GOOD. 


If you have signed up and are not getting any action PLEASE email me, I have some tips that will help you get noticed.


If you are thinking about signing up for SocialSpark using my referral code let me know, I want to enter you in my drawing for March, just for signing up and send you a little thank you once your blog is approved.


Want to speed up the approval process? 


Download Google Analytics  on your blog. This is the tool SocialSpark uses to follow your traffic and decide what are the best days to post ads.


AND yes, there is a Google Analytics for Wordpress too.


So go for it, make some money doing something you love...BLOGGING (you know your husband is wondering how your hobby is going to make some money anyway..haha)!


Finally...have you checked your blog to see if that pesky Word Verification has attached itself without your permission?


Yea, really. It is totally happening. I have been commenting A LOT lately and ALL of the bloggers who had word verification didin't even know until I told them!


Why? Because it is a default setting on Blogger. 


Which is cray cray because we ALL know that Word Verification sucketh hard core.


And no one wants to make their readers jump through hoops to leave a comment, right?


You can check out this AMAZEBALLS Tutorial, with pictures, and find out how to keep a baby unicorn from losing it's sparkles.


(did y'all notice the rainbow I had going on here? Yeah, it's stuff you should know in full color. You. Are. Welcome!)

Blah Blah Confessional Wah wah...

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I Confess...

I have been fighting the Blah blahs real bad lately.

It has been so hard not to whine about it but my whole body hurts right now.

I Confess...

I have had periods of pretty deep depression in my life.

I don't like talking about it.

I try really hard to pay attention to the good and happy things happening in my life.

Because I really do believe that what you pay attention to grows.

I Confess...

Ignoring my Blah blahs isn't working lately.

I try, I really do.

And

I Confess...

I feel REALLY guilty for feeling so blah.

Because there is so much truly fabulous stuff happening in my life right now.

I love where we live for the first time in like 6 yrs.

I am surrounded by people who love me.

My husband is amazing. Like "I am so not worthy" kind of amazing.

I Confess...

I wasn't going to talk about this on my blog.

Like ever.

But I got to thinking that maybe I was the only person on earth who has a truly beautiful life and feels Blah blah now and then.

I can't be alone right?

I Confess...

I have 5 little packages of Good Mail sitting on my kitchen table to go to the post office tomorrow.

I put them together for 2 reasons.

1. Doing something sweet for someone else makes me HAPPY.

2. Making sure I have an important errand to run tomorrow will get me in clothes and make up and get me off my sofa...guaranteed.

I Confess...

I am hoping this little mind game I am playing with myself, along with the time change this weekend will help get me out of my current funk.

I Confess...

I feel a little better just talking about it.

See, confession really is good for the soul.

What are you confessing this week? Grab a button, add it to your post and link that post up!

Edited to add...please take some time to visit the other people linking up their confessions, maybe the 3 people ahead of you at the very least? This link party is designed to bring bloggers together, make a new friend!!

Love Happens Furbaby Friday

We didn't bring our two outdoor kitties Pete and Bella with us when we moved. They are still at our old house living with Big Daddy's cousin who is living there with her fiance.

I have to admit I miss them.

I am not much of a cat person, I never really have been, but we rescued Pete and Bella when a friend put out a plea on Facebook that they were going to the pound if she could not find a home for them.

She drove them to our home in California from Washington...that is how much she loved these cats.

When we brought Coco home Pete took very sweet care of Coco and would give her a little tongue bath whenever he would see her.

Naturally Coco fell in love with Pete...and she fell HARD.

Coco misses Pete (and Bella, a little) so we are going to bring them home next month.

I cannot wait to see these 2 reunited...

They Say It's Your Birthday...WWTK wk47

Welcome to We Want to Know Wednesdays Q&A

Hosted by Mamarazzi and Crazymama<center><a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1096.photobucket.com/albums/g328/OurDandelionWishes/WWTKbutton-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="null"></a></center>
Crazymama is asking the questions this week. Her baby (#7) just turned ONE so she has birthday's on the brain:

{1} What is your favorite way to celebrate birthdays?
{2} Which is more fun to celebrate? Celebrating yours or your loved ones?
{3} What is your dessert of choice for birthday celebrating?
{4} Tell us about your best birthday you've ever had.
{5} Share your favorite birthday song
{6} Bonus Question: if you could pick any age to be again, how old would you be and why?

{1} What is your favorite way to celebrate birthdays?
A party in my honor....the more presents the better. But i really love a little weekend getaway with my handsome husband more than anything else. I love this little hotel in Monterey where Coco can come with us and if I get to go there for a couple of nights I am really happy and feel loved.
{2} Which is more fun to celebrate? Celebrating yours or your loved ones?
Oh, umm...I love when it is all about me. I know that might sound bad (if you don't know me) but I am ALL about the attention on MY special day. Seriously, there can not be enough focus on celebrating me me me ME!!
{3} What is your dessert of choice for birthday celebrating?
I am a HUGE fan of yellow cake with chocolate frosting...homemade please. I prefer layers, but I am cool with it even in a 9x11 pyrex. There is just something about that cake that means birthday to me.
{4} Tell us about your best birthday you've ever had.
Last year was pretty fantastic. It was my 40th Birthday and a bunch of my blog friends put together an amazing surprise for me. Big Daddy also planned a really fun birthday party and a weekend get away...it was pretty darn fabulous!!
{5} Share your favorite birthday song



{6} Bonus question: if you could pick any age to be again, how old would you be and why?
Hmmm...I am pretty happy with the course of my life so far. I have been through some crap and I would love to go back and change a few things, but I wonder if I did do that if i would appreciate where I am and WHO I am today. So, I don't think I would choose to go back.

Happy Happy and a Winner!

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I was sooooo HAPPY when my Favorite Things Swap package arrived yesterday. My partner  Angie @ My So-Called Chaos  put together a very thoughtful and generous package!! I simply adore this girl and was so super excited to be matched with her!!

We went to see The Lorax yesterday with my Daddy, Mima and 3 of my ridiculously good looking nephews. I am always HAPPY to spend anytime with these people and the movie was darling. I really loved it and enjoyed myself. Plus movie popcorn...HAPPY!!

Since my mom is out of town with my sicky/preggy sister Meg, we have had my Dad and Mima over a few times for dinner. I love cooking and I am soooo HAPPY to have such a nice big kitchen to make delicious meals in.

Coco is 100% back to her sweet energetic self. Tomorrow she gets to have her toys back. She is sooooo ready to chase her ball again. Keeping her mellow when she wants to play has been a challenge, so I am HAPPY that she gets to play tomorrow!!

Big Daddy took a holiday to extend his weekend off...he got off of work at 6am Monday and doesn't go back to work until 10pm Thursday. I am always HAPPY to have extra time with my Boo.

We seeded for grass in our backyard when we moved in and I am HAPPY to see little green sprouts finally. We just might have grass by Summer time, I can hardly wait!!

I am HAPPY to announce that the SocialSpark Winner for the month of February is Sarita @ The Lone Tater. 12 people signed up using my referral code and the people who have had their blogs approved are getting a special thank you gift, from me, in the mail this week. Learn more about  SocialSpark  HERE.

If you want to be entered into the March drawing for something fun, use my referral code and sign up for SocialSpark. You are entered just for signing up, but once your blog is approved I will send you a little thank you gift in the mail!!

So what is on YOUR Happy List this week? Grab a button, add it to your post and link THAT post up.

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap...Received!

My partner Angie @ My So-Called Chaos sent me a box filled with her favorite things and I love love love it all. Angie has participated in most (if not all) of my swaps so I knew she would not disappoint. Angie sends VERY thoughtful packages...I am such a lucky girly!! Look how cute she wrapped everything up...




 Here is what she sent me...
1. Yummy smelling Clean Linen candle...happens to be MY favorite scent!!
2. Burt's Bees Lip Balm...cannot wait to try this!
3. Angie's Favorite Face wash and Lotion...LOVE that they are travel size, perfect for a weekend getaway.
4. Angie's Favorite Book...Big Daddy already put this in his work bag, I guess he is reading it first!
5 Stardust...I haven't seen this movie yet, can't wait!!
6. I sent these AWESOME Cadbury Mini Eggs to Angie too...but I sent a much smaller bag.
7. An ADORABLE little doxie magnet...Coco loves it!
8. SUPER CUTE socks...lurve!!
9. Darling hair pretties...because a cute hair accessory can make even a bad hair day look intentional!
10. Sleepy Time Vanilla Tea...I have been meaning to try this, so excited!
11. A little black picture frame...perfect!!

Thanks Angie for a FABULOUS Favorite Things package, you rock sistah friend!!

Want to see what I sent Angie? GO HERE!!

I Confess...She's Spoiled!

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I Confess...

I am not the Queen of my own castle.

I realized this last week when Coco was having surgery.

The house just was not the same without her here.

In fact I had to leave the house because it just felt empty and kind of sad without her for the whole 7 hours she was gone.

I Confess...

It took her a few days to start acting like herself again, so when she did something naughty I didn't reprimand her.

Wait. What? Coco is naughty?

Ummm....yeah, she may be the Queen of this here castle but she is not exactly perfect.

She eats my lip balm. All. The. Time. I have to buy it by the case, she always finds it and eats it. See...proof.




I Confess...

Coco gets away with a lot.

AND I am basically her Lady in Waiting

For example.

See the dark pieces of kibble around her bowl?



Coco has been picking them out and dropping them on the floor and only eating the lighter kibble. She eats Blue Buffalo Wilderness high protein formula for small dogs. She LOVES this food. But only the light kibble, not the dark. Obviously.

I Confess...

I now pick the dark kibble out.

Yep, I root through the bowl before i give it to her and hand pick all of the dark kibble and toss it.

Because.

She has me trained.

And I am her Lady in Waiting. Obviously.

I Confess...

I would do anything for her.

Including giving up MY super SOFT orange blanket so she can have it on her bench in her favorite sunbathing spot.




I Confess...

She makes it easy to love her.

Coco is a real sweetheart. A Smart, somewhat manipulative, sweetheart.

A Queen who knows what she wants and how to get it.

Don't even get me started on her wardrobe.




I Confess...


The Queen is WAY better dressed than I am.

And this isn't even all of it, she has at least 5 outfits in the laundry and the one she is currently wearing.

And a Halloween costume, or 2.

Don't judge me...I realize I am officially one of  "those people"

So what are YOU confessing this week? Come on, grab a button and share...I would love to hear a few dirty little secrets and confessing will make you feel better. Really.

Since this is all about my little furbaby Coco, I am also linking up with