So Much to Talk About. Nothing to Say.

Well, this week we saw Tropical Storm Irene. I was very fortunate that I only lost power for about 10 minutes. There were some big branches down in my neighborhood, but nothing too exciting.

Kelly lost power on Sunday during the storm. They finally got it back today (Wednesday). To help ease the burden, I took her kids on Monday & Tuesday nights. I watch them on Tuesdays and Wednesdays anyway, so it wasn't that big of a deal...or so I thought. The redhead decided that he "wanted Mama" at 2:45 Tuesday morning. He whined and cried for about an hour before finally falling back to sleep. The teenager was just plain cranky. The middle was fine, just a little antsy. Oh and the aunt (that would be me) she was pretty cranky too. I love my alone time and I get a wee bit crabby if I don't get it. Being in close quarters with three other little people makes me stabby, if you know what I mean.

We did manage to go on a hike yesterday. There is a little rocky beach where we went, so the kids had fun skipping rocks and searing for crab body parts.

I'm hoping next week gets back to normal.

How did you fare in the storm?

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

As chubby as I am, I can still lift my foot to smell my toes.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

5 Things Friday

In honor of my Dad's birthday this weekend, I'm dedicating this post to him. I give you:

5 Things Older Than The Big Guy

1. Dirt
2. Fire
3. Most of the condiments in my parents fridge
4. Andy Rooney
5. The wheel

Cooking with Kelly

The following post was written by Kelly, a part-time contributor.

I've made these brownies a couple of times this summer. Super simple and delicious. I gave the "recipe" to a couple of my friends, but they weren't happy with their results. I thought maybe a tutorial might help.

Here's everything you'll need. Make the brownies according to the directions on the box. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Line a 13x9 pan with tin foil and grease the tin foil with Crisco. Cooking spray doesn't work as well as Crisco.
Take a small package of Reese's peanut butter cups (8 Reese's per package) and chop them up into small pieces.

Add Reese's to the brownie batter and mix together.


Pour into prepared pan

Bake according to the package
I like my brownies a little goey, so I cook them them for 22 minutes at 350 degrees.
This is what they should look like when they come out of the oven.
Let the brownies cool on a wire rack
This is why I line the pan with tinfoil. The brownies are so much easier to cut on a flat surface.
B is a chocoholic like me, so he couldn't wait to help. He enjoys being the tester to make sure they taste okay before we serve them to anyone.
The finished product.
These easy brownies are a big hit at my house.

My Bucket List

Quite a few people on the World Wide Web have been mentioning their "bucket lists" lately. They often include visiting far away, exotic lands, climbing high, scary mountains or eating some fancy schmancy kind of food. Let me tell you what's on my bucket list:

• To fit into a size 6 again. Perhaps I'll buy a size 16, take some White-Out to the 1, slap a belt on and call it a day. I'm not above doing that.
• To once, just once, say no to chocolate.
• To go into a pool with kids and NOT wow them with my awesome handstands.
• To meet, and play a really cool prank on, George Clooney.
• To climb a mountain...made of chocolate.

Well, that's it. I know it's ambitious, but that's why it's a bucket list. I have the rest of my life to complete it.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Once again, I'm regretting last nights dinner choice: a big bowl of baked beans.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

Talbots Bargains

I stopped in at the Talbots Clearance/Outlet store the other day. It's one of my favorite bargain hunting locations. There's nothing quite like walking into a store to see signs like this:

This pink corduroy jacket and green linen jacket were both 90% off.

This was originally $99. It was marked down to $48.99, plus an additional 90% off, making this $4.89.

This green linen jacket was originally $149. It was marked down to $73.99, plus an additional 90% off which would make it $7.39

This gorgeous 3/4 length lightweight coat was originally $199. It was on sale for $39

This black shirt was originally $79.99. It was marked down to $38.99, plus an additional 50% off, making it $19.49

These next two items are total Loopy clothes. I spotted them right away. They're just my style.

This white shirt was originally $59.99. It was marked down to $28.99, plus an additional 50% off, making it $14.50

I love this white jacket. It was originally $99, marked down to $48.99, plus an additional 25% off, making it $37.64

I was trying to find a dress for an upcoming wedding but I couldn't find anything that I liked on me. I'll just have to keep shopping.

Remember, these may not be the lowest prices you've ever seen, but Talbots clothing is quality clothing. If you buy something there, it will last for years.

Happy Shopping!

Book Sale Wrap-Up

It's over. Thank goodness. I don't think I could have squeezed one more book into my parents garage.

We had an onslaught of people before 9:00 am. As I said to Kelly, "I don't care if people get here early, as long as they buy books." And buy they did.

I have my "regulars" who show up every year. They tell me that they wait all year for the sale. It's because of people like that, that I keep doing it. It's also for the people I meet during the sale. Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. We even had a woman who was currently undergoing treatment at the Cancer Center show up and buy some books.

My goal for this year was to raise $639. Why $639? Well, because last year I raised $638.

I'm happy to report that this year I raised:

Wait for it...

$763!

I am very pleased with the amount raised, the number of people who showed up and the weather. Every year we are blessed with a beautiful, sunny day. This year was no different.

Here are some pictures from the day:

So many books.

Me and Harry. One of my helpers.

Kids books

The leftovers

My biggest helper, Kelly, and me. Oh, and the Big Guy.

A special thank you to Kelly and her family for getting up super early on a Saturday to help out. I couldn't have done it without you guys!

I'd also like to thank anyone who donated and/or bought books. I appreciate every single penny that was raised.

Thanks everyone!

Can't wait until next year.

Unexpected Bargain

Don't you just love BJ's Wholesale Club? I was in there today, trying to score some more boxes for my book sale, when I decided that I was hungry. I went looking for the sample people. You know, the elderly people that give out the free samples of food? I didn't like anything that they were offering, so I did the next best thing: I bought a rotisserie chicken for myself. Don't judge me.

Anyway, as I was walking through the store I noticed a cute jacket. It was a distressed, lightweight, faux leather. It caught my eye because I thought it was real leather.

Then I saw the price.

What the?! Ten bucks? Seriously? It's such a cute jacket. It would look great with a pair of jeans.

Alas, my tummy started grumblin' and I headed for the deli to pick up a chicken. I had to leave the jacket there in search of food. I'm thinking of going back for it though. It's just too cute not to have in my closet.

Book Sale This Saturday 8/13

I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing me talk/write about my book sale. Sorry about that, but there's a reason for it. This year I'm directing the funds to a different charity and I'd really like to give them as much money as possible. I need your support to do that.

This year the proceeds from the sale are going to the Cancer Center at South Shore Hospital. I had a chance to tour the center recently and let me tell you, it's quite a place. The first thing that hits you when you walk in is the serene atmosphere. There is no sterile, yucky hospital smell. It just smells, well, like nothing. And that's a good thing. People with cancer don't need to be smelling harsh chemicals or overly floral scents.

The second thing that hits you is the beauty of the building. There are fireplaces in two of the waiting rooms and a couple of beautiful outdoor seating areas. There is also a healing garden that is very peaceful. Cancer is not a pretty disease. You should at least have a pretty place to get treated.

They treat most cancers there and what a relief it is for people on the South Shore to not have to drive into Boston to receive treatment.

If you, or a loved one has been touched by cancer (and who among us hasn't?) I invite you to come by on Saturday, buy some books, make a donation or just share your story.

If you have children, bring them too. We have SO MANY children's books. They're $5 a bag. Fill the bag with as much as you want. Heck, fill two bags. This is also a great for teachers. They can fill their classrooms with books for a small donation.

*NEW THIS YEAR*

Spend (or donate) $20 or more and receive this adorable gift bag filled with goodies.

It is so cute, I promise you'll love it.

Hope to see you Saturday!

37 Center Street

Weymouth, MA

9:00-1:00

5 Minutes With The Fossils

Yesterday I stopped by the Fossils. You know, to check on my elderly parents. Plus, my dad needing help printing something off the "computa."

Anyone who's read my blog before, or knows me in real life, knows some of the conversations that have taken place between the Fossils.

Picture it:

I was in the dining room on the computer. My mom (aka Et) was at the kitchen table reading a book. My dad (aka Big Guy) was on his throne, no, not the bathroom one, his recliner in the living room.

Here's what went down:

Big Guy: "Lovey, can you bring me my coffee? I left it in the microwave. "

Et: "Are your legs broken? Get up and get it yourself"

Big Guy: "But I just had a treatment (he had a blue light thing done to his head at the dermatologist) and they told me that I should go home and rest."

Et: "Well, I just had a treatment too (she had been to the dentist) and they told me to rest too."

Big Guy: "Why don't you just bring it halfway, into the dining room, and Laura will bring it the rest of the way to me" *he giggles*

Me: (Shaking my head and getting glimpses of my future when I put these two nut cases in a home)

This is just a typical day at the Fossils. Drinking coffee and resting and reading the newspaper. God, give me strength.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Often times I find myself thinking, "when was the last time I washed my hair?"

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.

I Love The Gap, but...

Don't get me wrong, I love the Gap. I have bought quite a few cute things from there in the past. They also have some great sales. Lately though, I feel as though they're way off the mark.

I was strolling around Derby Street Shoppes today and a woman from the Gap was walking around handing out coupons for 30% off your purchase. I decided to go in and have a look around. Well, it wasn't pretty. One of the first things that I saw when I walked in the door were these pants:

Umm, skintight, pleather, side-zip pants?! Seriously? Oh and they're $79.99. Thanks, but no thanks.

Next, I stumbled upon these gems.

Bronze Keds. Okay. Is it 1989? No? I didn't think so. Believe it or not, they were on clearance.

Now, because I love you guys so much, I decided to model those fabulous pants that you see above.

Maybe they look good on...someone else.

5 Things Friday

5 Things that make me sick to my stomach

1. Seeing someone lick an envelope
2. The sound of nail clippers
3. Amusement park rides that go round and round
4. Seeing/hearing someone vomit
5. Dirty finger/toenails

There you have it. Look for more exciting lists every Friday. Have a great weekend!

An Easy Way to Make A Child's Day

Do you want to help someone but don't have any extra funds to do so? Well, I found an easy (and very inexpensive) way to help. Cradles to Crayons is packing 27,500 backpacks next Friday for needy children in Massachusetts. Included in each backpack are the essentials that children need to learn and have a great start to the school year.

In each backpack they also include a "Well Wish Note." Here's where you come in. They still need about 24,000 notes. Simply write a note on a 3x5 index card. You can do as many as you'd like. Here's a peek at the ones that I did today:

I enlisted the help of one of the kids that I babysit. He wrote his name on some cards and I wrote a little note above it. We also included some stickers to jazz them up.

For the price of a stamp, you can enrich a child's back to school experience.

Mail completed cards to:

Cradles to Crayons

155 North Beacon Street

Brighton, MA 02135

You'll be glad you did.

Trashy Pink

Kelly heard about an offer at her local DPW recently that she was very interested in. You could purchase a trash/recycle bin that's pink and a portion of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

How cute is this thing? I just love it.

It almost makes me wish that I had trash pick-up in my town. I would totally get one if we did.

Kelly's town was offering these for $35. You can purchase your own through the website on the bin. Click here to check it out.

I just love anything pink. I love it even more when it's for a good cause.

TMI Tuesday

It's TMI Tuesday. I'm warning you now, it's not for the faint of heart. Don't blame me if you can't handle it. You've been warned.

Two of my nephews have very distinct smelling toots.

TMI Tuesday. Love it or hate it, it's here to stay.