De Plane De Plane Boss

As I write this, I am on hold with Frontier Airlines for approx 46 min.  So I apologize if this post is a bit long.  What else can I do?  They have put some sort of hold on my reservation and won't let me check in online.  Just to make things that much more fun travelling with a 1 yr old and 5 yr old by myself, I now have to stand in line at 6 am.   Perhaps they have put my infant lap baby on that "special list," because I named her after a foreign country far far away.  I am so not kidding.  They seriously have a special list.  I know this because my Dad was on it, and had to write all sorts of letters to Homeland Security to prove that he wasn't some sort of terrorist.  I guess it doesn't matter if your name is India or Bob. We didn't have this issue with her at Christmas when we went to Disney.  Maybe it was because we were flying with George Clooney and she has her own special Secret Agent Super Spy Batline to call because she flies so damn much and has a gazillion frequent flier miles so they are super duper nice to her.

Whatever...... I need a break.  For example, last week at the Gyno for my annual I was asked by some random Nurse before my appointment if I was there for another pregnancy.  Um, unless Jesus had something to do with it ...nope.  My longtime Nurse Donna saw the whole thing go down, and stopped me just short of my usual smart assed "No just fat" comment.  She wisked me off before my BP could get any higher, even skipping the weigh in process because she knew it would just make things worse.  After 10 min or so of calming down- BP 126 over 80.  :)  It just sucks because I have lost 7 lbs the hard way in the last month and I was feeling all good in my yoga booty pants. 

So I am taking the two stinky children for a visit to the the land of rain, Starbucks and Nordstroms.  First stop after getting off the plane....... Ikea of course.  So excited.  Can't wait for the one here to open soon.  Love me some big blue and yellow box store.  Where else can you dump your child for an hour to play while you shop for 500 tea lights for $1 and eat meatballs and chocolate cake.  If Ikea sold clothes it would be all over.  I would just move into one of the model bedroom units for the weekend, and camp out.  Hum...clogs anyone?  We do have other things planned besides shopping.  I think?????  I plan on stuffing my belly full of some fresh sushi, and Calla plans to play till she drops.

In honor of our upcoming trip where I will wait in line for an hour to check in with my 2 children who will be cranky because it will be super early and McDonalds is on the other side of Security, I am posting on "Favorite Things Tuesday," all of the things I can't live without while travelling with kids.  Now I understand this part of the blog doesn't mean a fig to some of you who may not have kids.  Or have kids that can take themselves to the bathroom on a plane unassisted, while you actually get to read Us Weekly and drink a Bloody Mary at 8 am.  So sorry.  Check back next week.  Not sure what "Favorite Things Tuesday" might be just yet, but I promise it won't be about steak knives or duvet covers from Ikea.   Although it is tempting. :) By the way I am not including pictures.  Just click the links.  It is late and I am still on hold.    

Here we go:

JuJu Be Be Quick - Those of you who know me well know I have a serious bag problem.  JuJuBe's are some of my favorites, because the company and its people are so cool.  The Be Quicks work for tons of things from diapers and wipes, to a bag to hold chargers, socks, makeup or coupons.   Everyone needs like 10.  http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00040005000000000000&p=JJB01237

Car seat bag - Best use of Babies R Us gift card.  Seriously.  Car seats go free on a plane, and when you stuff the travel bag full of diapers, and extra purchases from Ikea for your office under the car seats and zip er up, then they also fly under the radar for free.  http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3091046.  Forget the ones with wheels.  More to break and I have had this one for 5 yrs now. 

Maclaren Volo Stroller - Best stroller to travel with.  Turns on a dime, really lightweight, folds up super small, has a carrying strap, and storage basket.  Had mine for 4 yrs, and it is still going strong.  The B.O.B. is not easy to travel with and this one is great.  A bit pricier then an el cheepo one, but I haven't replaced it yet.  I don't remember paying that much for mine, and I also may have used a trade in coupon too. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4316463

Ergo carrier - When I don't take a stroller I take the Ergo.  I have back and shoulder issues and this carrier doesn't hurt, and can be worn front or back.  It also fits great if you have a short or long torso.  Besides I like how it makes me look like a crunchy mom who knits, makes her own peanut butter, and knows what to do with Royal Jelly and Vitamin B 12.  I have an older style one, but seeing as they change the design every year, older is relative. 
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

100 things for small children to do on a trip cards - These things are great as long as you pack a backup dry erase marker.  Because without fail your younger child will either loose the lid, or eat the tip off the marker.  These will keep a 5 yr old entertained for while.  http://www.amazon.com/Things-Little-Children-Activity-Cards/dp/0794521223/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/180-8563123-0998239

Skip Hop Pronto - Portable changer.  Turns any bag into a diaper bag.  Love this thing.  Nuff said.  http://www.skiphop.com/product/202000.html

Some of the other things not worth looking up that I can't live without also are:

Food -  Duh.  Most importantly candy. ie. Haribo gummy bears.  - We buy these by the 3 lb bag bag at my house.  (Yes, I am aware this is a problem like the bags.)  Orange Tic Tacs also work well for potty bribes when you and your 2 kids are shoved into an airplane bathroom, and one is refusing to poop while the other sits in the sink pulling out all of the Kleenex and maxi pads because there is no where else to sit.  You can't exactly leave them in the row by themselves, because in the event of an emergency landing how would they open the exit door and engage the blow up slide.  Now what the hell is Octomom supposed to do when she flies?    

Some form of electronic equipment. - An ipod / pad to watch movies play apps, a travel dvd player, a leapster, or a Nintendo DS.  Now before you send CPS after me, I like electronic things.  They have a place, and this is one of them.  Besides if the batteries last long enough then you might just get down to business with the Us Weekly figuring out why the Bachelor has anger management issues and can't get his shit straight. 

Ok that's it.  Gotta get up at 4:30 am to shower and go on a witch hunt to find the birth certificate for my blond haired blue eyed baby who is named after a foreign country, and isn't allowed on the plane.       

Namaste :) 
-Cara

These are a few of my favorite things *UPDATED W/ MORE BLOGS*

"Raindrops on roses, feathers on chickens, bright Creuset kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages from UPS, these are a few of my favorite things."  -Me :)

Hi there.  Happy Fat Tuesday!  I am sitting on my hands fighting all urges to head to Whole Paycheck and pick up a King Cake for dessert while watching Glee.  Because I know it will most likely end up being Fat Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday around here until the damn thing is gone.  By the way while setting up Dave's phone I came across a Catholic Cheet Sheet App.  Now where the heck was this when I was in CCD as a child struggling to remember all the different Saints, Apostles, and Stations of the Cross.  Now you just press a button and up comes the Hail Mary or the Apostle's Creed.  Brilliant. 

Anyway I thought I would start a blog Series.  I guess that is what you are supposed to do when you write a blog.  It gets people used to expecting things from you on a more regular basis.  I however have a hard time with commitment because I get bored easily (Go ADD) so we will see how I fare.  I figure if I am writing about my favorite things I like it will be easier.  This could range from mascara and tampons to coffee makers and tomato seeds.  The possibilites are endless.  Kind of like Consumer Reports, only if your vacuum breaks please don't contact me.

At the request of my friend Kesha I thought I would start with some of my favorite blogs.  These are the ones who I read on a regular basis and get inspiration from.  Some are design based, some are family based, and some make no sense at all, but each let me escape my little life for a 1/2 an hour each day while catching a glimpse at how other people live.

Design Blogs
http://www.mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/
http://www.fernandfeather.com/
http://www.thefarmchicks.typepad.com/
www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/blog/
http://www.blissfulbblog.com/
http://www.purestylehome.blogspot.com/

Lifestyle Blogs
http://www.raisingcolorado.com/
http://www.twentysixpointtwoormore.blogspot.com/
http://www.weelicious.com/
http://www.momswithapps.com/
www.thestir.cafemom.com/column/shes_still_got_it
http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/
http://www.coolmompicks.com/
http://www.koautism.blogspot.com/  (this one is written by a dear friend of mine about her precious son.  Her writing is incredible!) 

And these.....These are the ones that you can get lost in all of their different sections for hours.
http://www.simplemom.net/   -make sure you check out simple kids, food, and gardeneing too
http://www.fitsugar.com/   - this is my guilty pleasure because you can do pop sugar for a celeb fix, lil sugar, casa sugar.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ - because when you live in a small house you need ideas, and I love how all over the world no two people have the exact same house inside.  Also the food, and tech sections are great too. 

A lot of these I found by clicking on the links of blogs that people follow.  There is usually a side bar.  I have all of mine in my favoites menu on the computer, but will probably end up with them on here eventually.  It is a neverending cycle. You can sit up all night searching links on someone's blog and then searching the links on the other blog.  It's enough to drive you bonkers. 

And of course when I am feeling randy.....www.peopleofwalmart.com   

I would love to hear about some of the blogs you follow. 

Off to find me some rum for a Hurricane for dinner. 

XOXO, Cara

We had babies!!!

Ok, so we had chicken babies.  Sorry to inform you, but no more human babies will spring from my loins.  Now that I think about it, my babies actually didn't spring from my loins, they were sort of yanked from my gut. Anyway, moving on........

The chicken babies actually came from the feed store in a cardboard horse shampoo box with holes poked in the side from scissors.  If you think I have enough time on my hands to nurture and pamper a bunch of pregnant hens, then one would also assume I have enough time and energy to do my dishes.  Ha!  Yeah right.  Aren't they cute? 

The little red one in the front is named Camilla.  More for Gonzo the Muppet's chicken, then Prince Charles' wife.  Yes, I know she isn't white like Gonzo's chicken, but when have we ever been conventional.

The two on the right are Gertrude and Penelope.  They will lay the green and blue eggs the color of my kitchen and mud room walls. 

The silver one on the left is Olivia II.  The Chupacabra came and got Olivia I, so I promised Calla we would name this one Olivia II. 

The tiny yellow one in the back is Buttercup.  She will actually be the fat ass of the group, laying jumbo size eggs. 

One of these days we will have enough eggs for Calla to sell to some of our friends and neighbors.  Kind of like the "Homegirls."  If you are wondering who the "Homegirls" are they are not the newest group started by P. Diddy for an MTV reality show.  They would be the Girl Scouts.  See Calla knows that in normal neighborhoods the Girl Scouts deliver cookies to the doors of people's homes.  So she calls them "Homegirls."  We however have to stock up on Thin Mints outside of Walgreens because the "Homegirls" don't come knocking on our door.  But hey it is a small price to pay because the Jehovah's Witnesses don't come a knocking either. 

India loves her chicken babies.  She just sits in the mud room looking.   And then points and tells us all about them. 

Yes, I know her face is filthy.  No need to freak out.  It is just the blueberry Nutri Grain bar she ate 2 min before I took the picture.  We have a metal mesh cover that goes overtop of the tub, so they can't jump out, and India can't jump in.  They will live in the mudroom until they are big enough to fend for themselves in the coop and it is warmer outside.  The chickens, not India.  Although on some days I am tempted :)

In the meantime, I am off to self medicate my tired body with lots of caffine and attempt to get some work done so we can enjoy this beautiful weather.  Between the peeping from the mudroom, and Calla hacking all night, I didn't get much sleep. 

By the way in case you were keeping track.  Final score = Dave/1  Girls/15

Hasta,
The crazy chicken lady.