Don't Try This At Home

Chilihead Has Left the Building

I am taking a blog break until after Christmas. Maybe until the first of the year. I have much packing, shopping, traveling, etc. to do. No different than your lives, I'm sure, but I need to drop something for a little while and blogging drew the short straw.

I hope each of you has a fantastic holiday season no matter what you are or aren't celebrating. Be happy. Laugh much. I'll see you soon.

Chilihead

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My dad is . . .

dapper

rockin'

Goofy

a good sport

patient

attentive

hilarious (he sent this to me)

Most of all, though, my dad is OLD.

Like, really, REALLY old.

Happy birthday, old man. I love you.

A Call for Help: Washington Relief

My state is completely inland. For the most part, we don't flood. We have our share of tornadoes, but most of the flooding is kept to a minimum. It's not our biggest fear. Unfortunately, that can't be said for the said for the state of Washington. The torrential downpours have flooded and destroyed many homes--just in time for Christmas.

Kathryn, at Daring Young Mom, and her friends have been helping families clean up. She is asking for your help via donations. Please go over and see what she has to say and help if you can. Thank you so much.

Blogging Basics 101: Mighty Helpful Links

I'm starting a new feature at Blogging Basics 101 today called Mighty Helpful Links. I have a ton of resources and I'll be sharing those with you every Friday. Go check them out.

Friday Round-Up

Stuff I'm doing (because I know you care):

• Nursing my mom after surgery (don't worry, she'll be fine).
• Working on this awesome dragon scarf for my nephew's Christmas present.
• Listening to Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I read it about 10 years ago, but I wanted a refresher before I start reading my copy of World Without End and it's great to have while knitting.
• Reading The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. For a great review of the book, check out Corporate Babysitter. I know what you've heard. I know about the e-mails going around. I know about Snopes.com. I encourage you to read the books yourself and make your very own decision instead of taking the word of people you don't know. Just a thought. If you appreciate good writing, you'll enjoy these books.
• Putting the finishing touches on a family surprise for December 15-20. This little surprise also involves a surprise for me because I may be able to meet this hilarious blogger in person!
• Looking at and re-looking at the lists I've made of gifts to buy for friends and family. I am not, however, actually shopping for said gifts. I have no good explanation for my apathy. Bah! Humbug.

Podcast: Interview with Wild Thing

Do you have 2.22 minutes that you don't mind never getting back? I've created the first-ever Chilihead podcast by interviewing Wild Thing. She's quite the diva. The ending is my favorite part. Baby.

New Post at Blogging Basics 101

Today's Blogging Basics 101 post is about naming your blog and whether the URL needs to be the same. As always, input (over there) is welcome.

WFMW: The What Do I Fix? Edition

Shannon says:

It's 5:15 pm, the kids are hungry, you have a headache, hubby is almost home, and the pantry has three things in it.  What is your BEST last-minute meal recipe?

Actually, I have several remedies for this situation--some are better than others.

1. Have Husband stop at Taco Bueno on the way home. 3 bean burritos + 2 tacos = less than $7.
2. Pumpkin pancakes for dinner. I always make sure I have Bisquick and canned pumpkin in my pantry. I know it's crazy, but you'll thank me later when it's 5:15 pm, the kids are hungry, you have a headache, hubby is almost home, and the pantry has three things in it and two of those things are canned pumpkin and Bisquick. Follow the directions for pancakes on the Bisquick box and add the can of pumpkin. Cook as usual. Healthy and fast. I tell my kids we're having pumpkin pie pancakes. They luh-huv the taste and the fact that we're having breakfast for dinner.
3. Hide under the covers until Husband asks, "What do you think about dinner?" then answer, "We should have it after you make it." Surprisingly, this works almost every single time. He's a keeper.
4. Noodles. My kids love naked noodles (noodles with nothing but butter). Easy-peasy. Of course, that means Husband and I have to fend for ourselves, but I have no problem with peanut butter.

New Post Up at Blogging Basics 101

I have a new post up at Blogging Basics 101 regarding some blogging etiquette: Should you alert a blog owner if you spot a typo?

The Good News

Sometimes Shannon will ask me to do something and I'll hesitate or say no outright. Her response, ever since the day I met her, has always been, "Well, just think about it and let me know." It's her little way of not taking no for an answer and knowing that I will, indeed, think it over. More than once I've come around to her way of thinking: PTA directory, signing up for the school preschool program instead of a paid one, ice cream, whatever.

Those who know me know that I am not religious. Shannon has taken the, "Well, think about it and let me know" route on this issue as well. She's invited us to church with her. She invited the kids to Sunday School. I have yet to take her up on these offers, but I appreciate that they are extended. I appreciate even more that she accepts me as I am.

One day, Shannon called and asked if I could please take her kids to school since I was driving my kids. Absolutely! More time with the Dryer kids! BONUS! This is actually one of the reasons I never want to give up my van: I have just enough room for my kids and Shannon's kids.

When I rolled up to their house, Stephen came bounding down the drive and jumped into the car.

"Miss Chili! Have you heard the good news?!?"

I believe I actually dropped my jaw and stared at him dumbfounded. In my head I was thinking, "So this is how it's gonna be. She has set her children on me. She has absolutely no shame, that woman."

I eventually recovered and said, as calmly as I could muster, "Um, no? Stephen, what is the good news?" (I inwardly groaned and laughed simultaneously. I groaned at the thought of having to explain to my children just what the good news meant and why they hadn't heard it. I laughed because Shannon was soooo going to hear about this one.)

"I made it into ARC at school!" Stephen gushed.

I couldn't help it. I laughed out loud. Paranoid much?