Toddlers are Crazy Part 3

My photographer friend was running a Valentines portrait session so I figured we’d sign up Toddler and get some cutesy photos for my scrapbook. Thank God she’s used to photographing children as this was near disaster.

The exchange went like this:
Photographer: Please let me take your picture.
Toddler: No thank you. (he learned that in pre-school, we don’t claim to instilled such manners.)
Photographer: you are so polite! Will you hold this heart shape pillow for the photo?
Toddler: No thank you.

So this exchange goes on and on while clawing him off her furniture, trying to bribe, persuade, threaten, etc. to take his picture and be still for two seconds. The child who has never touched a lego at our house becomes obsessed with her daughter's legos. Then, we did the following charade that worked like a charm:

Me: Whatever you do NOT touch the heart pillow. Don’t touch it.
Toddler: (Looks at it and pauses.)
Husband: Seriously, don’t touch that pillow, don’t touch it!
Toddler: (sticks finger out as if to mock touch it)
Photographer: Don’t hug the pillow, don’t squeeze it.
Toddler: (delicately touches the pillow with what are you going to do expression)
Husband: (trying not to die laughing)
Me: Oh my! You touched the pillow!!!!!
Photographer: (snap, snap)

Voila. Valentine picture using reverse psychology.

Zumba Craze

I'm a little late but I've caught the Zumba dance bug. How fun are those classes? Unbeknownst to me, I signed up for "Zumba Gold" which was Zumba for Seniors as I didn't realize that's what the Gold meant until about three weeks in. I loved it when my 70ish instructor asked if we liked "Rock" and proceeded to play Footloose. But I'm not knocking her as she has a better figure than most 20 year olds I know. She is how Madonna will look in her 70's.

In addition to Zumba Gold, I've also participated in "Dance Fusion" and "Hip Hop Dance." Both of which have about obliterated the obliques but what a great way to pass an hour. I just hope no one is filming me as I'm sure I look rather ridiculous belly dancing, booty shaking Beyonce style, salsa dancing like Shakira, etc. It's a good thing to be obsessed with an exercise.

GiGi's Cupcakes Opens in Memphis

Must be the week of the cupcake for me here in Memphis. We had a new cupcake bakery to open just last week and it's awesome - Gigis! Ideal for those that like lots and lots and lots of icing. I got the Spumoni flavor (traditionally cherry, pistachio and chocolate) and then had a nice center surprise on cutting into it. It was filled with chocolate. And me, Mrs. Sweet Tooth Extraordinaire, could only eat half of the darn thing...it was huge! So the rest is being saved for later or maybe for the little one at home.

Hostess Cupcakes

I've mentioned in previous blogs how Cooks Country magazine is the best cooking magazine out there hands-down. So it was with delight that they "re-created" the Hostess cream-filled chocolate cupcake recipe that we all know and used to love. One of those foods that "just isn't the same" when we grew up.

Oh my. I've made a lot of cupcakes in my day but these take #1 place. I encourage you to pick up the current issue of Cooks Country (oranges on the cover - you'll likely need to get it at a bookstore) and make these yourself. But let me save you some trouble. For the cream center, mix about 3/4 cup of marshmallow fluff and 3/4 cup of fluffy white frosting. Seriously, it will be all I can do to not make these now every weekend for the rest of my life.

Sleepless Nights

This Haiti earthquake has affected me in a very deep way. For one thing, I was always "scared" of that country as from all I've ever seen, it looks like hell on earth. I think this fear started when I saw a horror movie in high school that took place in Haiti and it was about zombies and voodoo and all that garbage and it scared me so bad that I left the theater before the film was over (I think it was called "Serpent and the Rainbow") and still to this day I hate horror films and take no thrill in being scared.

So I find myself tossing in the bed feeling helpless and overall pretty worthless for not being able to do "more" than just a donation. I'm obsessed with every news report--please oh please get the aid there and quick. I cry when someone is still looking for a loved one and praying that their loved one wasn't dumped in some mass unmarked grave like what I saw on CNN that had my mouth agape. And I'm in awe at these doctors that have come from all over the globe to help, countless missionaries who stayed behind to look after orphans, and I feel like my job in "advertising" is meaningless in the big scheme of things. Advertising. Makes me want to rethink my whole career path.

I am reminded of when I applied for military service out of college and was denied. Those recruiters knew that I didn't have that thing that makes for a soldier. So although in my heart I wish I had that thing, the reality is, I am too squeamish, too girly, too scaredy cat and paranoid...they saw through me I'm sure. So I came to realize that there are people who do and praise God for them and those that support the doers behind the scenes and I'm in that latter cateogry, and I just need to feel "okay" about that. Compassion comes in all forms.

Dollar Tree 20% Rule

I often ask, how did we do business before email? What did we possibly do before the Internet? What did we do before Dollar Tree? I guess in the latter's case, we paid too much for plastic spoons and gift bags. I could be an online testimonial for Dollar Tree (oh, guess I'm doing that now). I go there weekly and my local Germantown Dollar Tree is the Escalade of the brand. I love, love, love it. I've yet to find one any better.

However, buyer beware. There are some bargains and a lot of junk. Take for instance my straws that are having a 20% success rate. It takes me five straws to net one good one without a hole in the bendy party and a straw is worthless with a hole in the bendy part. Sigh. So my straws are defected.

Wonder how long it can be a "dollar" tree before they have to make it say the $1.25 tree. Lots of signs to change! Until then, I'll continue to enjoy it. Just no more straws.

Candyland Themed Christmas Decorations

Many people follow the Bakerella blog...a baking blog with stunning photos and an author with amazing talents in the kitchen (and the camera). Her social circle includes people just like her as evidenced by her friend's Christmas Party in the Candyland theme. I enjoyed looking at these photographs and being amazed that the woman did all of this with only the help of her husband and hope you do too. www.bakerella.com/candyland

Las Delicias is so Nice-ias

Have to give a shout-out to Las Delicias, a new Mexican restaurant on Park. Good, fresh food, very reasonable price wise.

Their chips are good, very different--sort of puffy. So upon checkout I asked to see the bag as they sell them. I wanted to look at the nutrition label to assess the damage. Trans fats. For crying out loud, why? But in doing so, I left my wallet on the counter...and left the restaurant.

Luckily, when I realized what I'd done about 30 minutes later, I went straight back and they had it for me. Actually told me a customer noticed it and brought to their attention. In this day and age where it would have been very easy to say "I never saw it" and then proceed to go straight to Macy's up the street and drain my checking account, these folks were waiting for me to come get it and all was in tact. Muchos Gracias. A fan for life.

Adult Conversations Post Baby

It's so cliche, but everyone tells you prior to having a child that "your life is going to change." Indeed. I've been making note lately of the more funny examples of how life has changed beyond what would be the obvious. For example, this is a real conversation:

Me: Do Max & Ruby live with their Grandma?
Husband: They never show the parents. That's kind of weird.
Me: I think they live with their Grandma.

The next day:
Husband: Max & Ruby have parents, I saw a picture on the wall of them. I think Grandma must live next door.

To those of you without children, Max & Ruby are bunnies. Cartoon bunnies. And now the husband and I have resorted to philisophical conversations about them. Life changed? Yep.