Treasure & Gratitude

I think my last post came across a little more negatively than I intended. Sleep deprivation and stress can make something very clear to you and then you reread what you've written. So I'll own it, all of it, the negativity and the point that I was really only trying to get across to myself.

Life has been one heck of an adventure these days. I have recently forayed back in to the land of the working mother and it has been quite the challenge. I love my new job but I do not love childcare. Making childcare arrangements specifically! I don't even spend this much money on myself y'all! It has been hard being away from the kiddos so much too and HD! The adventure is spinning past in high speed and I am holding on tight.

On another note I spent the night before last at the emergency room with Embea until midnight. She has a spider bite. It is starting to look a little worse so we're off to get antibiotics and see our pediatrician today. The funny thing is we had a blast! We read books, drew pictures and played hangman. I take my quality interactions where I can and time with my girl always lifts me up!

Both kiddos have adjusted fairly quickly and I think they are behaving pretty well. I am definitely the recipient of more hugs these days and I love the way the jump up and down saying, "Mommy, mommy, mommy!" the minute I walk through the door! That's why I do it, strap on my work boots everyday and head out into the land of the working woman. I want them to feel secure and to be able to be happy kiddos! I am very blessed that I was able to spend most of the summer off with them, we had a grand time.

So there it is in a nutshell and none of it quite so bad. I really am trying to have a positive outlook every day. I am putting my intentions out there and I am getting results. I am ready for more good things to come into my life and I am very grateful for my husband, my children, my family, friends and every other wacky thing in between. So if my last post seemed vent-a-licious, it was. Sometimes you got to get the junk out to allow more space for the treasures.

PLGC & alot of gratitude for any of you who take the time to stop in an read my random musings.

MC -out

diggin' on crazy.

So anyone interested in obtaining a 4 year old, as is? He has a tendency to growl, yell, talk back, spit, kick you in the shin and run away. He also gives the most amazing heart wrenching hugs and says I love you at least a 100 times a day. Hmmmmmm. On second thought I think I'll keep him. I really do love those hugs.

just look at that smile...

I think back to two years ago when EB was the same age and I don't quite remember This. My little guy & I are together all day long everyday and there are a lot of meltdowns. There are a lot of good times too. He reminds me to play, to have fun. He also gets me damn mad, but I am learning what a gift patience is.

EB is pushing different sorts of buttons these days as well. She will be 7 in two weeks but you'd think she was turning 30. She knows everything, no really just ask her. She has perfected the blank stare and talking back under her breath. I had really hoped I had a few more years before that started to happen. I can't wait until she perfects the eye roll. I was really good at the eye roll, still am, just ask my mother. EB is turning into such a beautiful young lady and the remnants of my baby girl are fading away.

me & my little lady...

I'm not complaining, I kinda dig this crazy ride. I do have a few things in my day that get me through the rough patches. Mommy time outs help. Art, books, exercise and love helps. I have developed a bit of a texting habit. I am online a bit too much. It's like having an instant support team at my whim. I really like late night glasses of wine after the kids are tucked in. Their love helps.

All in all when I start to feel down, when I get a little blue I think about all of those good things and I have a little gratitude. My B-I-L says it best, "Monster through the day and have gratitude not attitude!" He's right. I have wonderful people in my life who love and support me and I have an amazing little family. They drive me effing nuts sometimes but I love them.

...and I am thankful for you, my few lingering readers who stick around for the crazy.

Peace, Love, Green Chile and Gratitude,

MC -out

Bewitched with the Bay Area

Elizabeth Montgomery is my official Mamacita Caliente idol. She was totally hott! as Samantha Stevens; She had magical powers at her fingertips, yet insisted upon keeping house the oldfashioned way. Faux-wood walls, brand new dishwasher and cocktails in the early evening. What is not to love? I am sure by now you have ascertained that i have had me an episode or two of bewitched recently.

Well I haven't fully developed my magical powers as of yet but I am working on it. So father's day huh? Not much of a segue but it's what I got. The kids woke me up bright and early for follow through on a plan that we hatched the previous day. We made all of dad's faves: pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast and a hot cup of coffee. All of this was delivered on a Cars tray completed with handmade Father's Day cards. It was absolutely sweet as pie! Dad then had to travel off to the Sunday grind. Life is funny like that.

The kids were over the moon and loving up daddy every chance they got. It is in the moments like this that I stop and take stock of my little family. I see the love and the joy and the way that we all roll with the punches. I am starting to realize that the kids are a little stressed out about our impending move. I don't think they fully understand the full chaos that will ensue, but they get one thing, change.

Life is rushing up on us and changing fast. It is more intense than that impulsive move to Baltimore ten years ago. I felt something today that I almost mistook for anxiety, it was urgency. I love a good sense of urgency. I got shit to do and I need to do it fast. So on that note I am going to sign out dear internet. I hope you continue to tune in and vicariously come along for the ride.

PLGC- families picking up and moving on.

my name is M-U-D

Today has been a busy day. I still am baffled at how much more there is to do now that I am not working. I need to give a huge SHOUT-out to my Madre and CS right now. I am starting to realize how much of the prep and chauffeur duties that they handled. 2-words…A Lot.

I guess I am feeling the SAHM pressure. It’s funny how hard you think it is when you are a working mom and how equally hard you think it is when you are not. The bottom line is that parenting is work. It’s not always hard work but it is constant and you can’t ever stop moving. stick and move; stick and move.

I am finding more laughter in my day. I am slowly learning to just let the kiddos be. They didn’t have me hovering a month ago, I think I should ease back now. Today I felt uber “cool” because I let CB play in the mud. (See muddy feet below.) All that coolness backfired this evening when the kids were having watermelon in the back yard.




I was cleaning up from our delicious dinner of Spaghetti Pie ( a family fave). I realized that I had not heard a peep from either kid in at least 5 minutes. That is in fact all the time it takes to create a new mud puddle and 2 messy kids. I was to busy kicking my coolness in the butt to get a pic of that.

All in all, it was a pleasant but busy day. I am looking forward to an action packed summer, full of arts and crafts, kids, yard sales, and packing up my life once again. Stay tuned as things are moving and grooving in the Novus household. So without further ado I give you;

Spaghetti Pie…

4 oz dried spaghetti
1-2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 beaten egg
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
8 oz ground turkey
¼ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup chopped sweet pepper ( we prefer yellow and orange)
2-3 sprigs Italian parsley
1teaspoon salt
1 8 oz jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 teaspoon crushed dried oregano
1 teaspoon thyme
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions and drain.
2. Return spaghetti to saucepan and stir in butter and parmesan.
3. Meanwhile in a medium skillet sauté onion, garlic, Italian parsley and peppers in olive oil until onions start to turn golden. Add ground turkey, salt and brown. Drain liquid. Stir in sauce, oregano and thyme. Heat through.
4. Coat 9” pie pan with cooking spray. Press spaghetti mixture in bottom and up the sides of the plate. Spread cottage cheese over crust and spread meat mixture over the cottage cheese. Sprinkle with mozzarella.
5. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes, let stand 10 minutes, slice and serve with your favorite bread.

This can be easily made with your favorite meat and dairy substitutes.

I first found this recipe in my better homes and gardens cookbook. The recipe above has been slightly modified from the original.

PLGC-out