Don't Try This At Home

Don't Forget to Submit Your Questions

Just a quick reminder to submit your questions to Ask Chili. You've got questions, I'm just the smart aleck to answer them. Click the button on my sidebar and send me your burning questions.

After Being Iced In, It Takes Very Little to Make Me Laugh

So I give you Every Bunny was Kung Fu Fighting. Time-suck deluxe.

Updates: Updated!

• Still iced in. We can all drive around town doing whatever, but no school. And it's really cold.
• Spent three hours at the mall trying on all pants in Max's size. The ones that didn't fit were the only ones he wanted; the ones that did fit were all the wrong color, style, smoothness, or were made in Mars retrograde.
• You'd think it was a shark frenzy the way I'm puttin' away the carbolicious snacks. Double chocolate brownies? Check. Chips? Check. Deep-dish pizza? Check. Watch your hands, you may just pull back a bloody stump.
• Oh yeah, and I got my thick, long, curly hair chopped off. Why? Because I couldn't stand the thought of having to wash it, dry it, and style it all in a single day. It was to the point I didn't even want to get in the shower for fear the hair might get wet then I'd be forced to start all over again. Here's the new 'do--it's practically dry before I even get out of the shower!

Updated to add the front (thanks, Jules!):

 

Hidden Treasures

Jules at Everyday Mommy has come up with a genius idea for putting those great blogs that don't enjoy a lot of traffic in the spotlight. Here's what it's all about:

The idea is simple, to recognize blog authors of excellence, with deserving posts which may go unnoticed. 

The Rules

Step 1:  For Your Consideration. Anyone who wishes to participate in the Hidden Treasure blog awards may re-post what they feel is their finest post beginning January 29th, 2007. The categories are:  Children & Family, Faith, Marriage, Motherhood, Homemaking, Humor, Current Events and Life. No profanity or offensive material is permitted.  Please note in your re-posting that it is your entry for consideration as a nominee for the Hidden Treasure Blog Awards. 

Step 2: Nominations. Nominations will open on February 1st, 2007.  Everyone may nominate a single post in each category.  Nominations are not limited to posts which have been submitted.  Any favorite post is eligible.  The three posts with the most nominations will advance to voting.  Nominations will close on February 7th, 2007.  Nominations may be submitted to EverydayMommy@gmail.com.

Step 3:  Voting. Voting will open on February 8th, 2007.  One vote per category.  Voting will close on February 13th, 2007.  Winners will be announced on February 14th, 2007  The nominated post with the most votes overall will be awarded Best In Show.

Go out there and look through your favorite, not-on-the-radar yet blogs and submit some of their great writing. This is an excellent opportunity to find new blogs and get out of a rut or nominate a blog you love and can't understand why no one else knows about your gem. Go visit Jules and nominate your secret treasure!

WFMW: URL Shortcuts

My tip today is short and sweet. When typing in a URL in your address bar, instead of typing the entire URL (e.g, http://www.bloggingbasics101.com), just type in the main part (e.g., bloggingbasics101) and then hit the Control and Enter keys at the same time. Doing so tells the computer to put the "http://www." and the ".com" in and take you there.

Try it. Amaze yourself. Then amaze your friends. Then bring them to Chili's blog for fun and laughter! Then take them to Shannon's blog for more Works-For-Me Wednesday tips. Then head over to Blogging Basics 101 and learn even more great stuff. You know, why not make a day of it?

The Ice is Gettin' Me Down

This ice thing is seriously putting a crimp in my style. That not-of-this-earth ringing in your ears? That would be me screaming over here in Oklahoma. We have yet another snow day tomorrow. That makes four this school year with two of them being this week. Oh. my. word.

Monday I heard an incredibly loud cracking noise followed by a loud crash. I thought our sole tree in the back yard had succumbed to ice damage. Sadly, that was not the case. I looked out the window to see this:

Yep. That's my tent, y'all. Notice it's got a sunroof now. The roof was too heavy with ice, crashed down, and smashed the table under it.

Overheard at Charlotte's House

My friend Charlotte's little boy is the same age as Wild Thing. This weekend, while everyone was iced in, her family was choosing which movie to watch on Friday night. Talladega Nights was one option. The following conversation ensued:

Charlotte: Bubba, I don't know if you're going to be able to watch this one with us. Daddy and I will have to talk about it.

Bubba: Why not? It has racecars! I love racecars!

Charlotte: It has language that may not be appropriate for you.

Bubba: (rolling his eyes; sometimes mothers can be soooo dense) Mom! I already know Spanish!

Ask Chili: Wk 2

Dear Dr. Chili:

I have a problem with my mother. She sees dead people. Well, she doesn't exactly see them. She likes to talk about them. To be exact, she likes to phone me and tell me who has died. My problem? This isn't my favorite topic.

Can you help me, Dr. Chili?

Signed,
Morbidly Annoyed

Dear Morbidly Annoyed: Buy your mother cable, introduce her to John Edward, and change your phone number. Also? Haley Joel Osment called. He wants his schtick back.

***

Dear Chili,

How would you handle a mother-in-law who has "shown out" two years in a row at Christmas?
This year....we weren't all there at 4:00 (the time she had in her head) and we got there at 5:00 to....NO ONE....

She left!   And didn't return......!

And is still mad at us...............!

Dear ..............!,

First, learn to use ellipses.

Second, learn to use a Ouija board.

Third, be happy. If she was really "showing out" you'd have to shield the youngin's eyes.

My Contribution to the World

Artichoke Dip
(The key to this recipe is to buy marinated artichoke hearts and add the oil they're packaged in to the recipe.)

8 oz. jar of marinated artichoke hearts
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese (divided in half)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)
1-2 green onions

Combine all ingredients, except 1/2 of the mozzarella, in a bowl (or you can use a food processor on pulse; I like mine chunky so I don't use the food processor, but I do cut up the artichoke chunks a little). Don't forget to add the oil from your marinated artichoke hearts!

Pour into a shallow baking dish (the small, round stoneware dish from Pampered Chef is excellent for this). Cover with the rest of the mozzarella cheese. Place in oven (350F) for about 30-40 minutes or until bubbly.

Because Oh My Word I Can't Pass Up a Meme

You know, I try, I really do. I just cannot seem to pass up a meme. I found this one over at dcrmom's place on Friday. I tag Shalee, Green3, and Christine (b/c seriously, could you just post something?).

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others, what would it be?

Blogging. I am completely addicted and I'm not sure I could stop even if I wanted to.

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world, what would it be?

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most.

Bloo from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

4. If you could live one day of your life over again, which one would it be?

Any of our days as a family at Disney World. We are just so incredibly happy there. Seeing my kids' faces as they watch the fireworks is amazing. Watching my kids watch the 'Boo to You' parade was phenomenal.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person, who would it be?

Possibly F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although, after realizing how much time I spent on YouTube watching Steve Martin (and seeing how I put two of his videos on this meme) I may just choose to hang out with him.

6. What is one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you had back?

Our cat Lucy.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?

My artichoke dip. Seriously y'all. Nations could come together over this stuff.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?

Since y'all already know I'm fabalus, I'll let you in on the fact that I can wiggle my ears.

9. What is your most cherished possession?

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?

How on earth can only one person influence your life when you're growing up? I can't answer this. Every single one of my memories has a different influence and they're all intertwined.

11. What word describes you better than any other?

Sassy.