Rotisserie Chicken

Yes, that is the name of my post. Why might you ask? Because in the last couple of months it has solved at least 2-4 meals in my home for me per week. When I use to grocery shop I swear I would see anyone over 60 in the grocery store tooling around with their carts, inside a pint of milk, Folgers, maybe a cantaloupe, and the inevitable rotisserie chicken. I now know their secret and I am going to share it with you.

Each shopping trip I pick one up, always ask the deli because then they are the freshest. Come home unload my groceries and de-bone my rotisserie chicken. I take it out of the carrier they send it home in, rinse that out and plop it on the counter to fill it up with perfectly cooked chicken. The boys normally help me unload groceries and sit at the counter waiting to slip a few pieces of warm chicken from me. I still it in the fridge, toss the gross skin and bones, and move on. Until supper that is. Then I grab my new friend for EASY enchilada's. Roll it up with some black beans or refried-whatever your pleasure, some shredded cheese, and cover with red or green enchilada sauce. You have a meal your family tells you is their FAVORITE. Slap a little shredded lettuce, tomato, and sour cream-you have them begging for more. My sister made a point to come have some after working the night shift last night-they are that GOOD and so dang easy. But the best part is that is just one meal. You still have some left over to feed a now meat eating baby, throw a little on bed a lettuce for yourself with some craisins and blue cheese crumbles. The list goes on and on!

I swear the rotisserie chicken is the gift that just keeps on giving to us busy mom's that don't always have time. One usually comes home with me from a trip to the store. Those senior citizens know a trick or two about frugal shopping. I am taking a peek in their carts more often.

Tarot Reading

A good friend of mine had her Tarot Cards read and she insisted I do it, she actually was kind enough to pay for me to have mine done since she knew I would never take the time to have it done. So I scheduled it a week or two out. The plan was to have Talia sleeping when we spoke over the phone, she did not want to so we had our cards read together. Going into it I wasn't skeptical or really expecting too much out of it. I do feel like I do have an intuitive spirit, when the universe makes a shift in my world if I am in harmony I feel it. Yes, I know I sound woo woo. But I also know that if I am in chaos or focused too much on one thing the shift can smack me upside the head, I believe my tarot card lady explained it as the universe trying to give you clear, concrete signs or "bit$% slap" you.

When she takes the call you give her very minimal information. We started with my name, after my spiritual reading to set tone she gave me simple instructions to tell her when to stop shuffling the cards. I did pretty quickly...don't have the patience to shuffle all day, she told me some people seem to forget she is on the other end before they tell her to stop. "You are a woman that knows what she wants." Hmmm...okay. Not shocking there. She proceeded to tell me that  my world has many things going on right now. Long story short how I need to focus on balance this year. 2012 is going to bring me many things...I would love to get into details but mostly focused on how I need to make sure that I balance my personal and professional life to stay in harmony so I am aware when the universe is giving me clear cut signs about what I should be doing. That the word NO has to become a bigger part of my vocabulary. Which quite ironically the beginning of this year I made a conscious effort to turn down work if I felt I was going to be spread too thin. I have and it has felt right.

Her advice was to just be very conscious that my professional life was not affecting my personal life. That family is always number one. She said this year will be focused on my family, not ladies nights-sorry girls. Vacations are a high priority for us and we should not feel any guilt because we have worked hard to receive these gifts. HA! That struck right at home with me because any of my close girlfriends can attest to the fact that I have been a walking, talking travel agent these last few months. Hence South Dakota booked, Vegas in August with Kris & Mike, and a family getaway in Nov/Dec. I have to be in Orlando for work in November so I am almost positive we are just extending my stay and Erik will be coming with the kids (that might need a psychic reading beforehand).

She told me that someone was coming into our family via marriage or a birth that I am going to be very excited about. This person will be very special to me, we are kindred spirits. This child will not be coming from me-this shop is closed. That my love life is in harmony as long as I keep balance. I may have a hard time communicating with males this year but as long as I am direct and don't cut off communication it will not make my year difficult. Good thing being direct is usually not an issue for me.

At the end I was allowed to ask some questions. She gave me some insight about a predicament I am in, nothing mind blowing. I told her I was pretty confident in my love life so I didn't care to dig in that anymore but I was concerned about someone that I love very much. No names-sorry. She ensured me that person will be settled down with someone in the next 3 years. That everyone they have encountered they are way too good for. The mate for them is going to be driven, hard working, and a fire cracker. Everything this person needs and deserves.

It took about 30 minutes. I assumed she was going to try up-sell me  or book my next session at the end. Nope, she just asked for my email address so she could send me the audio recording. I asked how often people get their reading and she said typically once a year or some do every season. Her site is: The Tarot Lady, by the way she did not ask me to plug her. But I would recommend anyone to do it. If anything for some leisurely entertainment and good conversation to follow.

Oh and the biggest thing is to make sure I have time for just me...that I am also trying. 23 lbs down baby!

This last weekend

One of favorite families came to visit. Did I say FAVORITE? Do you know why? Because we each have a playmate when they come! She is my best friend. He is Erik's buddy. Our oldest have grown together since they were wee little ones. They even took a bath together in the sink of a teeny, tiny little cabin we rented once upon a time ago at Rush lake. Our middles go with the flow, one loves the puppies, the other might just have his  eye on their littlest girl. We all adore baby Talia. But you know what the best thing is about this family? When we are together there is 4 adults, 6 children, 2 dogs, utter CHAOS and it is just so easy. Relaxed. For whatever reasons our families can go out to dinner, visit water parks, go to Twins games and we ALL have a really good time. 

This past weekend we started it out with a BBQ and got to see more of my favorite people. Kami brought the girls, Kris brought Lucy and Mike-who is now my favorite too because he treats her like a princess. All 9 kids played in the backyard while we were able to catch up and enjoy some good food. We were blessed, because even though we typically have snow right now it was in the 70's. All kids played in a sandbox and had ice cream cones versus building snowmen and hot chocolate.

Saturday we all put on our best green and headed out to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Rhombus Guys Pizza was worth the wait. I was super classy with Talia in her Ergo Baby Carrier and a green beer in hand. I had to get in the spirit with everyone else. Once lunch was done we headed over to the parade, WOW FARGO, you did an AWESOME job! All kids left with a mob of candy. Some from earning, others from strangers who felt sorry for the little lad pouting because his brother took his. Thank you crazy lady standing on your chair catching candy like a pro, Alex is forever indebted to you.

Saturday night Erik and I biked downtown to meet our friends. That was a wild ride! About 6 miles round trip and we had a BLAST! More than anything trying to coach each other that we can indeed do this and celebrating with getting there as well as getting home without any major injury. We did make a pit stop at Spicy Pie for a slice of pizza and pitcher of green beer to people watch before we made our way back. It felt as if we were in downtown St. Paul. People watching is definitely one of my favorite past times. To all the girls wearing the 80's spandex dresses, please ask a friend-one that you know will tell you the truth no matter what before going out of it looks good. 

These two

Are nothing but TROUBLE!

My dad and Alex are two peas in a pod. Our two guys that like to wear super heroes. Two men that like to watch and play sports. When they are around each other they are connected at the hip. Alex insists on sleeping with Papa whenever we are all together. They speak the same language. When I was little I felt the same way about my Grandma June, her and I had a wavelength that was just ours. Grandparents are such an important fixture in our children's lives.

After my dad's accident I had some pictures on my phone that I took when we arrived at the hospital, my dad asked me to. When I got home I didn't think much of it. The boys often play on my phone, games that I later become addicted to (damn you Temple Run). Alex reviews the pictures often since he is the picture taker most of the time, he likes to relive his work. Papa came across the screen with all of those cuts and abrasions. His face filled with concern. "Mama, what happen to Papa's head?!" I explained he was in an accident.

We went to Baudette this last week from Wed-Sat, there was 11 days between us visiting my parents and the day that Alex saw that picture of my dads accident. He asked to see his Papa everyday or to call him. When we got to Baudette he was looking for the cuts but they had all healed. "Papa, I love you so much." I can still hear it. They then picked up where they always leave off, kicked back in the chair watching a game.

When to say when...

Happiness is a choice. Does it come more naturally to some than others? I think so. Is it something that you may have to work at? Again, I do believe so. Some days it seems daunting. Other days it feels very natural to be happy. I try to be vigilant of my happy state. To sincerely be grateful and thankful for it. Life is a lot easier when you look at the glass full. Life can be more fun when you don't. Feels good to bitch and complain at first, but then later I usually feel somewhat guilty. 9 times out of 10 I feel worse for what I said. I also try to be mindful that my girlfriends that hear me cry and complain the most feel they can do the same with me. This is not a one sided relationship, it is important to me that they know I am also their sounding board and filter when they want to just completely vent. Lay it all out there, say the things that you often think but would never dare day. Because it is healthy, once you say it most the time you can move on in another direction refocusing your energy for the better.

My pet peeve is when people cry that the world is stacked against them when they make no decision to change their habits. We only have this life, use it to live to your full capacity, and make the changes you need to enjoy it. Call me any time to vent and regroup. But use my time wisely because I choose to keep that glass half full.

Olive Garden Irony

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20577321,00.html

I passed the Grand Forks Olive Garden on my way to Baudette on Thursday and  I thought to myself, that is one nice looking Olive Garden. I might just have to stop in for a visit next time we are passing through. Now it is an internet sensation. CANNOT believe that the food critic from Grand Forks, ND is in People Magazine. Simply an AWESOME story. You Betcha Baby!

New pics 7, almost 8 months!