kissess...

conversation between me and the C monster yesterday...

me - can I have a kiss?
C - no
me - but I haven't had one all day
C- you got one from Dad...
me - LOL

what more can you say to that...

who is super hubby???

I married the most wonderful man.. he's the guy who does all those things that some people think of as "porn for moms" I love him... and I fear I don't tell him enough... especially lately...

What is his name? Lars

Who eats more? he does... my mom calls him the garbage disposal

Who said, “I love you” first? he did... and my response... i really wish you wouldn't have said that.

Who is taller? Him, by about 2 inches

Who drives most when you are together? Him

Who’s more sensitive? me

Who does the laundry? mostly him

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? me

Who pays the bills? me

Who cooks more? me

Who is more stubborn? me

Who is the first to admit they are wrong? neither one of us...

Who has more siblings? we both have twin siblings... he has twin sisters... i have twin brothers...

Who wears the pants? we both do

What do you like to do together? movies, sailing, vacations, games

Who eats more sweets? me

Guilty Pleasures? sailing, kayaking and snowboarding when the snow is fresh...

How did you meet? my closest friends squeeze was graduating from college and he was having a party... i kept hearing about this Lars guy... and when he walked in... i was shocked this was the guy... he flirted with me that night at the bowling alley... and the next day we played footsie while we watched a movie with a big group of people... i knew i was in trouble then...

Who asked whom out first? He asked me out

Who kissed first? He kissed me

Who proposed? Him again, but i was getting ready to do it the next day on the chair lift at mt baker if he hadn't

His best features & qualities? Best feature, legs... love the legs... and his butt. His best qualities...he's very supportive of me and my job... great listener (when i let him) fantastic dad... and most importantly he loves life...

interview with a 7 year old

my creative juice is not flowing today... So, I'm borrowing the idea from a SITS girl today... Interview with a 7 year old...My words are in blue and my 7 year olds words are in red. I think he might already be a teenager and no one told me... yet he likes to sit and talk with his family???

What's your name?
you call me jelly bean

why?
because when I was a baby i jumped around like a mexican jumping bean

How old are you?
Seven

What's your favorite food?
i don't have one...

what's your favorite thing to do with friends?
play...

Ok, well, what's your favorite thing to play with your friends?
just play... nothing special

what do you want to be when you grow up?
scientist i guess

What's your favorite tv show?
i don't have one... but i liked the olympics

What's your favorite thing to do with family?
sit down and talk

really?
really...

Where's daddy?
sitting next to me playing wii

What's something that makes you happy?
ridding my bike, sitting in my room, playing with my gerbil, swinging on Nonni's swing, finding critters on the beach, Popsicle on a hot day (OK there was a little help from dad on this one)

If you had 3 wishes, what would you wish for?
300 million legos...
a brother that wouldn't hit and scream...
invisible clothes

confessions of a trash TV watcher...

I have to come clean... I am busting out of my skin for the new fall TV shows to start...

it's bad... my husband laughs at me... I have to Tivo them so that I can watch them when no one is around...

It all started back in college when I got hooked on 90210...



and back then we didn't have Tivo just the VCR... remember that pain... needless to say I missed many an episode but thanks to syndication and a job as a restaurant manager in the 90's I got caught up quick... in fact my husband and I had a roommate at that time who watched almost every episode with me... we LOVED it....

well as you may know... there is a new version... on the CW...
click here to see the clip of who is who....
can't wait....



Then there is that other one... Gossip Girl... why on earth do I like this show... totally trash... but I can't look away... like an accident on the freeway... I know I shouldn't but I can't help myself...



it doesn't stop there... somehow I also got myself hooked on One Tree Hill... so bad that I had to Netflix the previous seasons so I knew all the scoop... hooked... who will he pick... Peyton, Brooke or that other one??? only a few more days...

Don't worry I like all the other usual suspects as well... grey's anatomy, lipstick jungle, brothers and sisters....

My Tivo is packed... there are times when I need to spend whole weekends getting caught up...

PATHETIC!!!!

anyone else have these problems???

as close as we'll ever get to Johnny Depp...

The Lady Washington came to town... perhaps you've seen her on the big screen....She was used during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to represent the HMS Interceptor,

And to me without Johnny... there was no point in going... but the kids had fun...

fashion statement...

last week B and I were having our usual conversation about getting out the door...

me... get your shoes on and let's go
B... i can't find my shoes
me... are you really looking?
B... i can only find one green croc and one red croc
me... well wear those
B... that's just plan strange mom
me... it's fun, think of it as a new trend

He's been wearing one of each for over a week now...Naturally people comment on them... he just smiles at them... but today we were eating lunch out and a woman asked him if he knew he had 2 different shoes on... he said yes... and when she asked why he said quite proudly...

I'm making a fashion statement...


*** check out the contest at Classy Chaos for the modern version of Crocs... if you thought you weren't a crocs person this might change your mind...

Remind you of long johns under the skirt anyone :)

Little "C" and the snail

with my back issues I've spent many an afternoon on the couch with my ice pack and the kids climbing all over me...this is me and my Pickle... and really captures his animated personality...

and I'm sure you are wondering what is up with his hair... he wanted it styled and the mowhawk fell to two horns... I think this is telling of his personality...

favorite things swap...

if you don't know wendi... you should...

hop on over and join the fun!!!

where do i find these things...

There are nights when I'm up way to late lurking in blog land... the things I come across... the places I go... and when I finally decide to close it down I wonder how in the world did I get here... Like this place.... I think I got there from Jen... but I'm not sure... I'm still waiting for the day I run in to someone from high school or junior high that I completely lost touch with... anyone out there from Romeo, MI or Noblesville, IN...


so while visiting with Ms. K at this place... I came across this... and I'm not so sure I agree with it... but I suppose it is better than the alternative...I answered some questions and this is what it said about me...

People Definitely Like You

You are very well liked, and many people admire you.You are friendly, well mannered, and fun to be around. Of course, you're not perfect... but that's okay. Your friends are usually willing to accept you for who you are! What People Don't Like About You: People don't like that you like to gossip. They are worried that you also gossip about them! People don't like that you forget them easily. No one wants to be friends with someone who doesn't remember their name! What People Like About You: People like that you give them support and strength. Friends know that they can count on you to be there for them. People like that you truly take and interest in them. Everyone likes to be liked! People like that you are genuine and real. They can count on you to be yourself.

Do People Like You?

notice anything different....

You may have noticed some changes in Paklet land... they werent' big... but I feel like I've gone from old school Safeway to brand new Whole Foods....

I'm one of those bloggie girls who was oh so jealous of the cool crowd... you know the ones... who have the great headers... 3 columns... fancy signatures... the whole nine yards...

I wanted a face lift in the worst way... just couldn't bring myself to spend the money so I started to do it on my own... you may have noticed that every time you came by things looked just a bit different... the header has always been the same... just the details changed... and not for the better... it's like I went to an old school plastic surgon and got the discount job...

Well thanks to Wendi... I met Krystyn @ Krizzy Designs... you are the best Krystyn... and you made this virtually painless... not to mention I didn't have to tap in to the kids college fund to do it...

so don't hesitate... if you're thinking about a "lift" don't try the DIY route... it only ends in frustration if you don't know what you're doing... and I don't know about you but I've got plenty of that in my life already...

go see her now...

crabbies...

my C loves crabs... he could search for them all day every day and not get bored... on vacation he was even spotted kissing them on the lips....

so super hubby took him dungeness crab fishing with his two best buds and B...and don't worry there was no kissing on the lips.

and the winner is...

according to random.org....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:8
Timestamp: 2008-08-19 03:10:09 UT

Kristen - loving our simple life...

Hi Marla!I'm here, the often lurker, and sometimes commentor. Sorry I haven't
been around more. I wish I could, just with the vacation, the laptop has had to
spend a lot of time closed! Can you believe that? I'm sure my laptop is enjoying
the rest! :)My best gift ever was actually from my mom. She typed and printed
out all of her recipes that I loved as a kid, and made me my own recipe book. I
love it, and seriously, it ranks at the top of the best gifts ever!!Fingers
crossed to actually win something! :)

Can't wait to see what your something is.

Free Friday...

I see these posts everywhere... the why don't you leave comments posts... i know you are out there... am i really that boring???

So I decided I should give away something... as in "a something" from the Something store... remember this one from a while back....maybe... just maybe... people would let me know they were stalking rather than hiding behind their computer...

you never know what might show up... and imagine the blog potential of what might come???

so I'm in to keeping it simple...

Leave me a comment... and not just a pick me comment...be creative... tell me what the best gift you ever got was... Mine in case you are interested is the Kitchen Aide Mixer my now super hubby gave me when I was 24! I was so happy i cried... or tell me what your favorite stories are on some peoples blogs... OR...

I'll choose at random at the end of the day on Monday the 18th...

back to school shopping

I went to Staples today to get a few of the missing pieces from the list that Target was all out of... erasers and glue... the glue was FREE... as in $0.00!!!


*** no not the 5 finger accidental discount either...

birthday party... trader joe's style...

as you know from my post last week.... Trade Joe's is one of my favorite places....

So when SUPER Hubby turned the BIG 40 this weekend, I turned to my new favorite cookbook... cooking with with all things trader joe's...this cookbook rocks... all the ingredients can be found at Trader Joe's and it's a great way to find new uses for some of you favorite things...

I've made a few things, and this time i hit the appetizer section and drinks... YUMMY stuff... the big winner was the Prosciutto-wrapped Scallops...

• 1 (1-lb) bag frozen New England Wild jumbo Scallops, thawed
• 6 slices of Prosciutto cut lengthwise in half
• 2 tbsp green olive tapenade or mixed olive bruschetta.

1. preheat oven 375
2. lightly pat scallops dry with a clean paper towel. Season scallops with the tapenade, making sure to coat all sides evenly.
3. wrap each scallop with a bank of prosciutto. Place seam side down in the buttered baking dish or cookie sheet. Spread
   
4. scallops 2 inches apart so that they roast and don't steam.
5. bake for 15-16 minutes. Do NOT overcook, scallops are done when they are opaque and no longer translucent.

** Asian twist use mandarin chef sauce instead of tapenade...

My other favorite are the Peanutty Sesame Noodles... to die for... and my kids gobble it up....

If you love trader joe's... you must get this BOOK. Click on photo to go directly to amazon and buy... If you already have it tell me what you favorite is.

Top 5 Tuesday

I couldn't resist sharing in the fun over at Dana's place - after all she is the super nanny...

This week is going to be ....

Name your Top 5 reasons you love to blog.

1. escape from my job... when i need to hide this is where i go
2. love that i can look back on the silly things my kids do/did
3. i love comments
4. bill gates is doing it so i should too
5. i have too many opinions and i can't think of a better place to express them.

I won something...

I actually won another contest... I'm on fire right now... perhaps I should play my numbers... if only I knew what they were

so what did I win... this is a good one from one of my favorite online photo companies shutterfly.

I've been making books with them for years... a great thank you after a vacation with someone or in my case a great place to put the thousands of photos... that is right... thousands of pictures... I take every month so that I can actually share them with people...



You have been selected as a first prize winner in the Quaker Life Cereal "Book of Life Sweepstakes!" Your prize is a personalized "Book of Life" photo book from Shutterfly. This photo book is the perfect way to create and celebrate your own collection of "best day" family memories.

something I love...

I never win drawings...contests...etc... it's just how it is... unless you count the numerous times I have won the lottery in some other country and need to give them my bank info so they can wire me my winnings :)

so imagine my surprise when I'm sent this product from Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare...

Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

This multi award-winning, concentrated cleanser quickly removes everyday grime and make-up, including stubborn mascara, to leave all skin types soft, smooth and radiant.

I entered a drawing when I bought some clothes online for B @ Boden (a place I love for boy clothes...only wish I could afford more)

It's like someone knew that my skin needed rescue... this stuff makes my face feel like a babies bottom... a huge difference in texture etc...

*** I got no money or free gift for this... just wanted to share a little bit of secret British skin care that I found...

wordless wednesday

these are compliments of my guest photographer.... MR. B himself... and no... I'm not mad... just trying not to look like my usual stiff self in the photo

top 5 tuesday

figured I'd try this one out since I'm flat on my back... holy crap am I in pain!!! No amount of drugs is making it better... but I've got my lap top and my blogroll for distraction...

Rachel I'm sure knows exactly what I'm talking about...

started on a treatment plan... the road to recovery is VERY painful... I just have to remind my self that it is a road... not a lifetime...

so what is this top 5 Tuesday...

What are your Top 5 Favorite Places to Shop?

1. Target - isn't this in every ones top 5?
2. IKEA- one word... inspiration... and the only way I can have walls full of framed pictures of my boys
3. Trader Joe's - I love this place... there are so many things we eat every day from there... C won't eat anything but their cereal bars... and has to have one EVERY day.
4. Old Navy - I buy white t-shirts like some people by bread... I need my cheap shirts...
5. Flower World - I love plants...flowers...anything for my garden...

looks can be deceiving

C announced this weekend that he wanted to "see the animals" this weekend... so what is a mom to do but take the family to the zoo... i wanted to see the new flamingo exhibit and it was as good a time as any. It was cloudy... a bit cool... what i thought would be the perfect day for the zoo... guess what... when we got to Seattle... only 20 miles south... the sun was shinning... i love the convergence zone...

i figured this was as good a time as any to bring along the fancy collapsible wagon we have and have only used a few times... super Nanny scored it at the consignment store... problem is... it isn't so easy to drive... but boy does it look cool...

when i tell you that EVERY person who walked by us at the VERY crowded zoo commented on it...I mean EVERYONE...when we parked it to go inside we'd come out and see people standing around it staring and discussing... several people stopped me to ask where i got it... it was a HUGE hit... We should have sold it on the spot... because we won't be using it again...

I can't find one online...and that means i can't figure out how to list it to get maximum $$$... (it was $79 at consignment) I feel bad selling it the way I feel about it... but I'm sure someone who is better wagon driver than me will love it....

but if you ... my bloggy friends see one out there... resist... because looks ARE VERY deceiving... it's only redeeming feature was that it was easy for the boys to each their PP&J on the run from one exhibit to another....

4 years ago...

I came across this old email that had some info for my first blog... but the date was June of 2004... that's right 4 years ago... so ahead of my time...

obviously I had no idea what to do with it... but I remember signing up after learning that Bill Gates was keeping a blog... maybe I'm the one who should have had Bill as their 80's crush... NOT...

the best part is the comments... perfect example of why you want to monitor those... that feature was obviously off when I started this...

www.pakadventures.blogspot.com

from man world to learning to weld

what started out as a typical family BBQ with family in town turned in to B learning how to weld...


Uncle Joe is just like the uncle every boy should have... the one that gives you small remote control helicopters... drives and excavator and more importantly takes you to "the man room"... that room full of tools and all the things boys always want to check out... no girls allowed was what I was told when I came looking for B that night... he pushed me out before I could even get the door open...

Next thing I know he is asking if he can watch Uncle Joe weld... don't worry... he wore the special hat... while Joe wore sun glasses and no face protection... :) that is why he'll be known from now on as "crazy uncle Joe"




strange what can happen...

back to school supplies

school supplies... naturally working for BIC... I love school supplies... I love when crayons are $.24 a box because there is nothing I love more than coloring with a new box of crayons... but that is about all I love in the quest for finding supplies... I"m the lady looking for that one random item they are out of... water colors... some strange kind of 3 ring binder etc...

last year finding all the supplies on the list was such a pain... I was wishing for some place I could send away to have it all taken care of for me...and then this year I get this email from Ez school supplies wanting to place an add on my blog... I said send me the stuff and I'm in...

the box is full of great stuff... only would rather have gotten BIC pens :) but my favorite part about the starter pack they sent me... the box it came in...

B brings home an insane amount of "stuff" and I am a ruthless mommy when it comes to weeding out the "stuff"... I do my best to recycle right in to the bin in the garage so he doesn't see it in the one in the house and ask why I got rid of it. There is still a huge pile left over and I never know what to do with it... Now I can put it in this handy box...

front of the box

back of the box... check out all the recording spots... love it...

Thanks EZ...